Soul: An Archaeology

by Phil Cousineau (Editor)

"Soul is an audacious but rewarding anthology of poetry, song, fairy tale, meditation, reminiscence, disputation and confession....inspiring, often mind-blowing and sometimes even a little scary....Cousineau offers a bracing and yet somehow intoxicating brew intended to revive us and fortify us." -Los Angeles Times

"A treasure trove of writings on 'the language, lore and imagery of the soul.'" -Publishers Weekly


"Few writers approach the problem of soul with anything close to nuance. But Phil Cousineau's Soul: An Archaeology deserves honorable mention... the book is charming for its intelligence and playful eclecticism." -Utne Reader

"This book is a welcome, comprehensive collection on the subject of soul. Cousineau digs deeply for treasures, ancient and modern, clearly demonstrating that the search for soul is the search for the authentically human. Soul is an enjoyable and enlightening journey through something that is too often relegated to the mysterious." -Matthew Fox, author of Creation Spiritulity

"Phil Cousineau writes with brilliance but always from the heart. He manages to present not less than fifteen words for Soul but maintains it as the greatest mystery. Indeed, he pays honor to that 'inner universe that is as vast as the outer one.'' -Robert A. Johnson, author of She, He, Ecstasy

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Anthologies

288 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1994

About the author

Phil Cousineau is a writer, teacher, editor, independent scholar, documentary filmmaker, travel leader, and storyteller. The author of more than 30 nonfiction books, Cousineau has more than 15 documentary screenwriting credits to his name, including the 1991 Academy Award-nominated Forever Activists. His life-long fascination with art, literature, and the history of culture has taken him on many journeys around the world; one of his bestselling books is The Art of Pilgrimage, inspired by his many years of meaningful travels.

Born in an army hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, Cousineau grew up in Detroit, and has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years. American mythologist Joseph Campbell was a mentor and major influence; Cousineau wrote the documentary film and companion book about Campbell's life, "The Hero's Journey." The “omnipresent influence of myth in modern life” is a thread that runs through all of his work. He lectures frequently on a wide range of topics--from mythology, film, and writing, to sports, creativity, travel, art, and beauty. Currently he is the host of the much-praised “inner travel” television series, Global Spirit, on Link TV and PBS, and is finishing a book on beauty.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a point in my life a few years ago when I was really interested in what other cultures think of the soul and studies and theories on what the soul actually is. I walked into a used book store around that time, and there was this book propped on a shelf. Interesting reading, and I found it purely by accident when I needed it most.

[Dennis Berard]

So many profound stories. I haen't yet grasped everything I just completed reading. How could anyone. Too much to contemplate just yet. An awesome collection. Like a reference book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting mix of hard philosophy and easy to read musings. Very digestable, and I love to open up to a page and read whatever I land on. Good for a glass of scotch and a perusal.