The Soul's Religion: Cultivating a Profoundly Spiritual Way of Life

by Thomas Moore

Book Overview

The long-waited companion volume to Care of the Soul is Moore at his most provocative, as he celebrates the mystery of the spiritual and rejects simplistic paths to religious truth.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060192860
• ISBN13: 9780060192860
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Harper
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.6" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful Book

I am an ordained minister and a chaplain. This is my new favorite book. As Thomas Moore writes, each of us can only be the self we already truly are. I especially appreciate the personal experiences the author includes. His openness models the deep self-acceptance he advocates for all of us. There is an honest acceptance of the realities and sometimes pain that Life holds, and healthier approach to those dark periods from which we can learn and deepen. Thomas Moore's writing style is gentle and deeply genuine. I have enjoyed other books he has written, but this is, I believe, his Great Work.

One of the best books I have ever read.

I have been on a long and winding spiritual journey for twelve years. Part of those twelve years I attempted to become a minister in an enormous "red tape" denomination. I finally decided to turn the church loose and find out who God truly is.Since that time I have been trying to define myself (spiritually). This book has truly been a key to that definition. The key authors that have guided me have been Thomas Merton, Oriah Mountain Dreamer, Thomas Moore, Thomas Keating, and Harold Kushner. Each of the authors have played a major role in my spiritual development.I recommend the book, "The Soul's Religion: Cultivating a Profoundly Spiritual Way of Life" by Thomas Moore, to anyone truly wanting to discover ways to the "core of life"!

'Wisdom is Radiant and Unfading'

This is a most luminous, magical, lyrical and compassionate book. There is much wisdom contained in 'Soul's Religion' & its more detailed than 'Care of the Soul'. Moore addreses life's crucial questions and meditates upon them with profound, ritualistic rhythm. He is able to translate, so eloquently and poetically, his finely-tuned sensibility with an understanding of decades of theological scholarship. Moore honours history and integrates it into his work with dazzling finesse. Moore reminds us of the artful philosophies of the Renaissance. Encourages us to revel and rejoice in the mystery of the Church. In divine, holy ignorance.Solomon 6:'Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her. She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her. He who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty, for he will find her sitting at his gates'I have found her in this book.

The continuation of a great body of work.

Over several books, Thomas Moore has talked about the soul, how it defines who we are and helps shape the direction and essence of our lives. Just when you think he has said all that can be said on the subject, "The Soul's Religion" appears with page after page of fresh insights and analogies.A refreshing part of this book and all his work is that he readily admits he does not have all the answers. In his words, he is "...a simple person struggling as much as anyone else." Yet, if he does not have the answers, he seems to know where they can be found, he guides us to the proverbial water where we can uncover them for ourselves.Moore often refers to the mystics and philsophers of centuries past to help us find insights into the mysteries of the soul. There is no doubt that future generations will refer to his work. No one in our time has spoken so beautifully and masterfully about spirituality and the soul. His words have the ring of truth.

A Practical Guide for Independent Thinkers.

This excellent book is billed as the companion volume to Moore's Care of the Soul, but that is not the same as a sequel. Reading Care of the Soul is not a prerequisite to benefiting from The Soul's Religion. In fact, if you are just going to read one of them, I suggest this one.In my work as a psychotherapist and author (Embracing Fear, HarperSanFrancisco) I have defined wisdom as "the accumulated knowlege of our ignorance." Thomas Moore understands and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging all that we do not know (our ignorance), and takes my definition into the spiritual realm by suggesting that it is in that often uncomfortable --- sometimes painful --- place of "not knowing" where we are most likely to meet God.All great thinkers are independent thinkers and Thomas Moore challenges readers to think independently, rather than soliciting our membership to the "Thomas Moore Is My Guru" Fan Club. This book is an excellent guide into individual exploration of spirituality, and it never once loses touch with the real-world considerations of daily life. In brief: The Soul's Religion is useful. Can you tell that I recommend it?