The Education of the Heart: Readings and Sources for Care of the Soul, Soul Mates, and the Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life

by Thomas Moore

Thomas Moore's books on the soul paint a picture of literate, sensitive, and artful human living. In The Education of the Heart, he presents many of the sources that influenced and inspired Care of the Soul, Soul Mates, and The Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life, choosing special passages that show us how to cultivate our humanity. But this is not merely a sourcebook or an anthology; it's a manual for living from the heart.
Here we read the great teachers and writers of the past and present not just as representatives of historical periods but as vivid teachers who show us the way toward a richer, more spirit- and soul-filled life. The selections come from Greek tragedies and ancient magical texts; from the Renaissance philosophers so often mentioned in Moore's earlier books, such as Marsilio Ficino, Pico della Mirandola, Robert Fludd, and others; and from modern archetypal psychologists such as C. G. Jung and James Hillman. Moore has selected these passages not only for their brilliance in describing the soul but also for the beauty and power of their language.

Genres: Spirituality, Psychology, Philosophy, Nonfiction

368 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1996

About the author

Thomas Moore is the author of the bestselling book, Care of the Soul, Ageless Soul, and fifteen other books on deepening spirituality and cultivating soul in every aspect of life. He has been a monk, a musician, a university professor, and a psychotherapist, and today he lectures widely on holistic medicine, spirituality, psychotherapy, and the arts. He lectures frequently in Ireland and has a special love of Irish culture. He has Ph.D. in religion from Syracuse University and has won several awards for his work, including an honorary doctorate from Lesley University and the Humanitarian Award from Einstein Medical School of Yeshiva University. He also has a B.A. in music from DePaul University, an M.A. in musicology from the University of Michigan, and an M.A. in theology from the University of Windsor. He also writes fiction and music and often works with his wife, artist and yoga instructor, Hari Kirin. He writes regular columns for Resurgence and Spirituality & Health.

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Reviews

[Ganesh]

I'm absolutely enamored with Thomas Moore's writing. But I couldn't get into the book at all. It's a collection of excerpts that inspired Moore's writing. They're not as accessible or inspiring, at least to me.

Well, I'm grateful that Moore sifted through all this literature to find gems worth sharing.

[Loree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book nearly ten eyars ago and love to have it on hand to look back and reveiw some on Moore's musings. I ahve used some of his quotes often to inspire others in our letter writing.

[Dad · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audio-book is even more wonderful than the text version.

[Adodom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book filled with great quotes.

[Liam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The audiobook was a great format to experience the book. Inspiring, thought-provoking, and illuminating.

[Kathy Duffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that needs to be sipped -- sections read and then processed. The topics covered are the rediscovery of the soul; the art and craft of living; everyday religion, the art of dwelling, intimacies; the common life, passages and enchantment. The sub-topics go into depth in each area. Thomas Moore writes an opening to each section and then populates the sections with quotations, poems, and letters that delve into each topic. The poems range from Sappho to Mary Oliver, the psychology pieces include Jung and Hillman, the mythology comes from a variety of cultures and includes Joseph Campbell, Mircea Eliade and Black Elk Speaks, Nature is discussed by Henry David Thoreau. To call this food for thought is an understatement it is a feast for thinking, for pondering and for exploring.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. I will never outgrow this one.