Dark Nights of the Soul

Rating:
Summary: encouragement and strength offered in this reading
Review: "Every human life is made up of the light and the dark, the happy and the sad, the vital and the deadening. How you think about this rhythm of moods makes all the difference. Are you going to hide out in self-delusion and distracting entertainments? Are you going to become cynical or depressed? Or are you going to open your heart to a mystery that is as natural as the sun and the moon, day and night, and summer and winter?"

The above quotation is the crucial question in Thomas Moore's sequel to his best-selling and ultimately helpful "Care of the Soul." Read in his soothing, contemplative voice it is a challenge to all for everyone of us experiences times of grief, suffering, disappointment, and failure. Rather than reject these experiences, try to avoid them or get through them as quickly as possible, Moore, a former Catholic monk who became a therapist, suggests that we see them as opportunities for personal and spiritual growth.

Not an easy task you say. I quite agree. Yet, as Moore speaks from his personal life, cites case studies, and presents stories from art, literature, and mythology, listeners may find both encouragement and strength.

- Gail Cooke

Rating:
Summary: encouragement and strength offered in this reading
Review: "Every human life is made up of the light and the dark, the happy and the sad, the vital and the deadening. How you think about this rhythm of moods makes all the difference. Are you going to hide out in self-delusion and distracting entertainments? Are you going to become cynical or depressed? Or are you going to open your heart to a mystery that is as natural as the sun and the moon, day and night, and summer and winter?"

The above quotation is the crucial question in Thomas Moore's sequel to his best-selling and ultimately helpful "Care of the Soul." Read in his soothing, contemplative voice it is a challenge to all for everyone of us experiences times of grief, suffering, disappointment, and failure. Rather than reject these experiences, try to avoid them or get through them as quickly as possible, Moore, a former Catholic monk who became a therapist, suggests that we see them as opportunities for personal and spiritual growth.

Not an easy task you say. I quite agree. Yet, as Moore speaks from his personal life, cites case studies, and presents stories from art, literature, and mythology, listeners may find both encouragement and strength.

- Gail Cooke

Rating:
Summary: What I needed
Review: I love this book, not only because it gave me hope and a renewed sense of perspective, but it was also full of compassion and beauty. Having a therapeutic angle infused with references to the mystical and the creative, makes the book come alive with meaningfulness.

Rating:
Summary: Lost his Moorings
Review: I've begun reading this book and I was sailing with Thomas Moore real tight. He was skillfully sailing the ship until I got to his fourth chapter where he got off into a skiff and cut the rope. He has set me adrift in a wide sea without a moral compass.

He leads his readers into the occult and astrology. A place where a former Monk should fear to tread. While I don't mind learning about insights of the dark night through greek mythology and other lesser known personalities, I feel Mr. Moore could have served his readers better examples by using concepts and personalities from the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Mr. Moore holds too highly the concept of self and self fulfullment. What I understood from Part Two of the book "Disturbances" is don't take responsibility for your choices. Follow what you feel you must do in order to develop your inner self and talents even it that means to destroy and hurt your relationship with family and friends.

Jesus' idea was in losing one's self that we find out true self.

I haven't finished the book yet so I guess it's a bit unfair to write a review so soon. However, I thought I would tear through this book because the first 68 pages held so much meaning for me. I've gotten bogged down in the middle and have picked up another book by James Finley which is an expose of Thomas Merton's thought. Merton's Palace of Nowhere -A search for God through Awareness for the True Self. I love this book.

What I am discovering from Merton is that the self we construct is an illusion but we need to find our true self through our search and union with God. I believe this is the true purpose of the Dark night of the Soul which is to lead us to the realization of our need for grounding in the source of life.

I have two more books by Moore which I plan to read. Care of the Soul and The Re-enchantment of Every Day life. So stay tuned

Rating:
Summary: An author worth reading
Review: There should be a section in the book stores called intelligent and thoughtful reflection. You can find books like these but they are scattered in the hundreds of awful releases in "Self Help", "New Age" or "Philosophy".

Moore is intelligent, thoughtful and has spent years in reflection. He's also a good writer who doesn't offer easy answers. I've loved all his books. This is no exception.

Rating:
Summary: An author worth reading
Review: There should be a section in the book stores called intelligent and thoughtful reflection. You can find books like these but they are scattered in the hundreds of awful releases in "Self Help", "New Age" or "Philosophy".

Moore is intelligent, thoughtful and has spent years in reflection. He's also a good writer who doesn't offer easy answers. I've loved all his books. This is no exception.

Rating:
Summary: Moore, always a comfort to the soul
Review: Thomas Moore never disapoints. His previous works, including CARE OF THE SOUL, somehow manage to transcend pop culture, yet remain accessible and practical to the general reader with a yearning to grow. If only everyone could take the time to read his work, or listen to his tapes, we'd all be better people.

DARK NIGHTS OF THE SOUL is especially needed in these times of quick-fix therapy and entertainment as anti-depressant. We need to accept the fact that tough times and dark episodes in our lives must be dealt with and honored, not medicated or pushed under the rug. Dark nights offer potential for growth, for soul expansion, and Thomas Moore is the one to lead us on this important journey.

If you enjoyed his earlier work, you will appreciate his latest effort, and no doubt, will notice that he too is growing as a writer and giving us more to think about. Don't overlook this one.