The Five Stages of the Soul

by Moody, Harry R.; Carroll, David

• ISBN13: 9780385482257
• ISBN10: 0385482256
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1997-09-01
• Publisher: Anchor Books

Summary

In a groundbreaking book that interweaves twenty years of case studies and research in the field of aging with an exhaustive knowledge of psychology, religion and literature, Harry R. Moody, co-founder and Director of the Brookdale Institute of Aging, reveals the spiritual passages that the vast majority of us encounter in life and explores the opportunities those spiritual stages offer us in achieving a sense of inner fulfillment. At some point in our lives, most of us begin to question what life is all about, what the purpose of our existence is. This first of the passages in our spiritual lives often arises as the result of the death of a parent or other loved one, the birth of a child, or any number of life-changing events that force us to rethink who and what we are. Everyone responds differently to what Dr. Moody describes as the Call. For some, it may lead back to traditional religion; for others to good works in the community; still others turn to mysticism. Those who ignore the Call are called again, for the Call comes not once, but any number of times in one's life, and in any number of ways. For those who heed the Call, it is an opportunity to reflect on their inner lives, to explore and fulfill a deeper part of themselves. InThe Five Stages of the Soul, Dr. Moody identifies five specific spiritual stages that make up our inner lives, exploring the psychology of our spiritual development and interweaving the wisdom of Western and Eastern spiritual masters as we struggle through the labyrinth of life. Written in richly textured narrative that constantly inspires as it offers a detailed roadmap of our spiritual lives,The Five Stages of the Soulis reminiscent in its approach of the best work of Scott Peck and Thomas Moore.

Table of Contents

Part One The Call and the Search	1	(172)
1 Stages of the Soul	3	(38)
2 Hearing the Call	41	(40)
3 Answering the Call	81	(46)
4 Beginning the Search	127	(46)
Part Two The Struggle	173
5 Learning to Let Go: The Struggle of Heart and Mind	175	(52)
6 The Struggle and Spiritual Practice	227