fiction

This is a great book for people looking for some profound, yet still very practical, wisdom along the spiritual path. Moore is traditionally a Catholic, but since leaving his order of monks in his twenties has found inspiration in virtually all of the world's major religions and mythologies. He embraces the structure and importance of myth to a degree approaching that of someone like Joseph Campbell, interpreting the meanings and symbolisms found therein, but applies them more directly to the personal spiritual path.

In this book, the primary idea is that a successful spiritual life must be grounded in a realistic understanding of everyday life, what Moore calls the Soul. The Spirit of religion is high-minded and lofty, always trying to strive toward perfection and enlightenment. The Soul, on the other hand, is possessed of a more contemplative aspect, quietly relishing in life's subtle mysteries and constantly involved in the inner process of change and improvement amidst life's obstacles. Left unchecked by Soul, the Spirit can soar too high (think of the Ikarus myth) into obsessive, unrealistic, and even psychologically dangerous perfectionism, shielding the individual from reality with false security and overactive ego. Moore reminds us that we must strive to see our religion in the everyday, experiencing God in a blade of grass or a complete stranger.

If you are looking for a general introduction to spirituality or religion then this isn't the right book. This book is strictly self-help, a small stepping stone that will be most useful for people engaged in faith and looking for advice concerning the common pitfalls of overly enthusiastic idealism. Moore brings us down to Earth, but in a way that can ultimately lead us to much greater heights than we previously knew. Like a tree, our faith must have its roots as well as its branches.

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"!

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.