The Five Stages of the Soul: Charting the Spiritual Passages That Shape Our Lives

by David Carroll and Harry R. Moody

Book Overview

An exciting exploration of the spiritual passages we go through as we age--from midlife crises to the search for inner purpose--and the rich possibilities they offer for fulfillment in the life journey.

Based on twenty years of research, The Five Stages of the Soul is the first book to focus squarely on the spiritual passages that the majority of us go through, offering readers a detailed road map of their quest for meaning and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385486774
• ISBN13: 9780385486774
• Release Date: July 1998
• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.2" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

A Modern Classic!!

I'm a well educated, ie former attorney, American male, 65 years old. Born & raised a Roman Catholic, but not a practicing Catholic for decades; I enjoy exploring & reading @ spritual & religious topics; I consider myself, with a huge tongue in check, an amateur metaphysician. I've read 20 - 30 - 40 books in this area during the past 15 years. This is the best! Period. I think that @ age 40, I would not have been able to understand this book or what Moody was trying to teach; as I grew older, more intrsospective, & more torn by ambiguity, I found the subject matters of this book much more "pressing". If you read 1 book @ the spiritual aspects of maturity @ the 50+ stage of life, I suggest you start your explorations with this 1! A classic!

I've read it at least 4 times

This book was seminal in describing to me and helping me to understand the extent to which my life has been and continues to be a spiritual journey, one that was originated by the God of the universe, and to which the journey leads. This is a book for all, but especially for those who have been brought up in a majority Christian culture, but who eschew the parochialism and often bigoted dogma and rigid theology of mainstream and particularly, right wing christian culture. The authors use all the great spiritual traditions to describe their concepts of the spiritual journey, including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and others. This is a book that really emphasizes the individual relationship with the Holy One, the Great Lover, and so has an attractive mystical bent. Quotes from the writings of Rumi as well as St Theresa of Avila, John of the Cross and Julian of Norwich fit very comfortably together within the authors' spiritual paradigm. If you would like a book that can explain to you how you and everyone else on earth might fit into God's plan, despite differences in dogma and theology, then this book is for you. After all, this is exactly what Christ taught, despite orthodox bigots' exclusionary proclamations. It's an easy read the first time, and gives forth more richly on subsequent readings.

My vacation reading for 2000

I decided not to take any books on my (solo) vacation this year -- preferring instead to see what I would gravitate toward 'on the road' (my way of living dangerously -- such an exciting life I lead!). So it was, in one of the bookstores at Logan Airport in Boston that I came to be standing in front of the philosophy/self-improvement section. No -- PLEASE no self improvement (I said to myself). Aren't vacations supposed to be a respite from such relentless work?. But something (probably the link between my impending 37th birthday and the book's idea that a spiritual journey is natural in mid-life) intrigued me too much to let myself put this book back on the shelf.When I reached my destination, I was still reluctant to start such a deep-sounding subject, but I picked it up anyway -- just to read a bit to get myself to sleep. Three hours later, I was still in the midst of this engrossingly descriptive guidepost to maturing spirituality. Reluctantly I put it aside to get some sleep, but the next morning I finished it -- somewhere between breakfast and lunch. Like another reviewer said, now I know what several friends will be getting for birthdays/Christmas presents!I suppose the thing that touched me most was the inclusionary (rather than exclusionary) nature of the examples of different stages of 'the journey' -- tapping many different faith traditions rather than one particular dogma. Well, that and the idea that I have something 'new' ahead of me as I hit my forties and beyond, rather than more of the same old thing. I'd like to read it again soon (and I have a feeling I'll want to read it several times in the next couple of decades), but I'll have to get another copy -- my 'original' has been on loan since returning from my trip!

A Guiding Light

Rarely has a book affected me as profoundly as The Five Stages of the Soul. Like the mythic lighthouse beaming brightness into the dark, authors Moody and Carroll bring illumination into the deepest recesses of our souls and provide insight into the challenging and difficult struggles of life.Actually, this is the first book that I've read suggesting the concept of stages in soul growth, especially during one's middle years. Those of the "baby boomer" era who are also caring for elderly parents may identify with many of the stories artfully woven into each chapter. While the content of the book is deep and thought provoking, the material is presented in language and style that is understandable and inviting.Giving meaning to our daily lives, encouraging growth through struggle, and offering hope through spiritual commitment are a few of the gifts laden in the pages of this book. Perhaps you may even find, as I did, answers to questions unformed yet ever present and waiting.

An inspiring study of our spiritual journey through life.

My interest in The Five Stages of the Soul was first tweakedwhen I heard Dr. Harry Moody's interview on Public Radio many months ago.His words somehow touched a resonant cord within me. This book was about the inner search for meaning in life and of the five spiritual stages that most of us pass through along the road of life. It was about life, and meaning, and the spiritual path. I was hooked. Since that time, I have read his book almost twice. It has been far more than I originally expected, and have passed out several copies to my closest friends. Dr. Moody has put a lifetime of extensive research and reflection into this excellent work, and frankly, I am a little awed by his genius. But this is not a book for the casual reader, or for those who have not been on the planet for awhile. In my opinion, to fully appreciate this book and gain from its insights, one must have experienced and observed life, and must have searched for answers, and reflected on what life is all about. And that normally requires a certain level of maturity and perhaps chronological age as well. This book revolves around the divine discontent that motivates us along a lifetime search for truth and toward an inner discovery of who we are and why we are here. Dr. Moody draws extensively from his research in the field of aging and from his personal life experiences. This is a book about real people and real life experiences, yet it incorporates the best of the ancient spiritual teachings and religious traditions, universal principles and insights that have stood the test of time. I cannot recommend this book too highly. It is a skillfully written and inspirational work that I consider worthy of serious study and reflection.