Ageless Soul: The Lifelong Journey Toward Meaning and Joy

by Thomas Moore

Thomas Moore is the renowned author of Care of the Soul, the classic #1 New York Times bestseller. In Ageless Soul, Moore reveals a fresh, optimistic, and rewarding path toward aging, one that need not be feared, but rather embraced and cherished. In Moore’s view, aging is the process by which one becomes a more distinctive, complex, fulfilled, loving, and connected person.
Using examples from his practice as a psychotherapist and teacher who lectures widely on the soul of medicine and spirituality, Moore argues for a new vision of aging: as a dramatic series of initiations, rather than a diminishing experience, one that each of us has the tools―experience, maturity, fulfillment―to live out. Subjects include:
*Why melancholy is a natural part of aging, and how to accept it, rather than confuse it with depression
*The vital role of the elder and mentor in the lives of younger people
*The many paths of spiritual growth and learning that open later in life
*Sex and sensuality
*Building new communities and leaving a legacy
Ageless Soul will teach readers how to embrace the richness of experience and how to take life on, accept invitations to new vitality, and feel fulfilled as they get older.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help, Philosophy, Audiobook, Mental Health

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 10, 2017

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.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Moore has written a very compassionate and optimistic book on aging and how to do it well. He points out that it’s not just our bodies that age but also our soul. And while our bodies may have its limits when it gets older, our soul knows no limits and can mature and improve throughout our lives.

We have all of our past ages now residing in our soul. We have a youthful soul that it’s important to stay in touch with. We need to keep those souls in harmony, not too much of an old soul, but not too much of a young soul either. We’re not a complete person if we not retain each of the ages of our soul. We start our aging process as soon as we’re born and we need to continue to build our character as we age. Some of us only age physically, while our soul remains stagnant and never really develops. We need to remain open to new opportunities and learning and how to connect with others.

Mr. Moore writes about how older people can become “elders” and help mentor the young. That’s something that seems to be missing in our society. It’s a youthful society and the merits of learning from the wisdom of its elders is not as important as it once was.

We need to embrace the experience of growing older instead of dreading it. Mr. Moore has written a beautiful book that can be referred to again and again throughout our lives.

Recommended.

This book was given to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is it because I'm old myself that I already knew everything Moore shares in this book? I don't know, but I was deeply disappointed. I can sum up the entire book in one sentence: Aging is inevitable and it will cause you to confront physical debilitation, illness, loss of work, and death. I, sadly, took away nothing new from this book, except the very first opening story about a monk who observed a young man raking leaves and then releases all the raked leaves back into the garden, commenting, "Beautiful." I hoped for so much more.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this from Goodreads. This is an excellent book about aging which I am doing and not doing very well. I remember when I looking forward to turning 21. Then all of a sudden I was 30 and then 40 and then 50 I was still going strong and not worrying a whole lot about age. At age 56 I fell and got disabled and then I really started noticing my age. At 60 I still want to do tons of things but I have to go at a way slower speed. My brain still feels young but my body is not cooperating. So the book is about how aging is hard but also can be good. One thing I feel is I have more knowledge and I know what makes me happy and I want to live my true life and only to do things that fulfill me and not what other people want me to do or show up to. And you learn your whole life. Loved this book.

[Paula Cappa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathtaking and powerful, this book about aging, about growing your mind, gets to the heart of life and living it fully: an exploration of the invisible and the mysterious, expanding intellectual and emotional states of mind and perceptions. Moore exhibits how spirituality and the soul are not just ideas or trendy concepts but a dynamic and exhilarating process—an “imaginal reality” that every human possesses. What is alive here? Love, family, honor, friendship, career, and rites of passage. Moore advises us to free ourselves of the illusions of religion, materialism, and some of the scientific beliefs. I like how he opens all the doors to deep understandings that come full circle ranging from anger and jealousy to melancholy and loneliness, to aging, to illness, to death and the “Angel of Old Age.” If you are wondering how to accept all the “little deaths” of daily life, this is the book to read. “Dying is a spiritual process” Moore says, “a singular moment” that takes a lifetime to prepare for. Eloquently written and illuminating, each chapter is filled with wisdom. James Hillman, C.G. Jung, the Tao Te Ching, Black Elk, Buddhism, Joseph Campbell and others are frequent references in the text. Moore’s view of the aging process, of life itself, is a blessing so rich, I could not stop reading it.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I own every book Thomas Moore has written. His series on the soul is wonderful and deepens your level of thinking about who you are as a human being. Getting older has its challenges but can be a wonderful time in your life according to Moore and I'll be thinking more about this reading as time goes on.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our Sunday school class read this book chapter by chapter over about 4 months. The book tries to put a positive spin on the aging process. Overall, I don't think any of us were overly impressed with this book. Thomas Moore, the author, is a psychotherapist who admires Carl Jung and James Hillman and puts a lot of stock in dream interpretation. He mentions all of this repeatedly throughout the book, and it gets tiresome. Also, he rarely misses the opportunity to give personal examples from his own life. Perhaps if I had read this book in just a few sittings, I might have found it more interesting, but after stretching it out for months, I was bored and couldn't wait to be finished with it.

[Shirley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read up to chapter 4: Melancholy. Then jumped to Chapter 6, 15 and the conclusion... I was very disappointed as I expected much more from the author who is a psychotherapist and teacher. I expected more in the sense of clarity. I found it chaotic. Author using wisdom from many others but not committing to anything. It's all up in the air. Some of it too philosophically deep to understand. Author talks a lot about his life experiences which isn't all that interesting... And the underlying basics which makes sense , could have been written in a much shorter and simpler way in a 50 page book.

[Ann Douglas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was highly recommended by many people (mainly the authors of a lot of other related books I've been reading lately), but I didn't find it to be particularly compelling or informative. I gleaned a few new insights, but I was also put off by a few things, most notably that the author gives Woody Allen a shoutout in a list of authors who "let their talents shine and dedicated themselves to the American vision." This in a book that was first published in 2017--and that was reissued in paperback in 2019? That struck me as very odd.

[Marta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ageless Soul is, at times, contradictory and
tentative. However, it is hard to imagine a book that sincerely approaches the task of aging well without these qualities. Does the world need a bossy book about how to age well?
What he offers is a an exploration of the psychological and physical challenges of growing older in an enriching and meaningful way. I'm grateful for his efforts, and what he has to share even if I felt the path to his points was too circuitous.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book from Goodreads just in time for my birthday. The author presents a deep and hopeful view of aging as a positive process, one that can happen at any time in life. If one embraces it, aging can bring renewed vitality and wisdom. The author also writes about how to remain young in your outlook. There is much to absorb here and I will be re-eading this book as time goes on!

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF. Just not feeling it even though I am going through the process of aging at 63. Boring. I’ve got better books to read.

[Charles Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

For us old folks, Moore says a lot of the right things about aging. Not physically aging but more on the order mentally maturing. How the inner you, the soul, does not age but rather is the gathering of all the things you are, in a good way! He seems to suggest that being who you are is more important be being something you aren't. I suspect most of us would agree but practicing this might be harder than it sounds like. Yet, I think we know he's right. We just don't want to make so many changes (as we see it) in our dotage.

Moore's sense of ageless soul is much more than "acting as young as you feel" or such easy bromides. I know folks who are angry at the world, or themselves, or their kids, or the next generation and I sense that anger is from frustration and that doesn't just go away. I see old folks who seem to resent technological change and I can't understand why. But, your soul is the you that has come up through the ranks full of good things and a probably some not-so-good things. It is more you than you'd think. It is maturity, living, being creative, and parts of us subsumed. Inside is someone who wants out, has gotten confined, and is now worried and upset.

I won't suggest for a moment that Moore has an answer at the snap of his fingers. Instead he talks about these kinds of feelings and experiences which leads to a recognition and maybe, perhaps, a better feeling about a person's situation. That might be all that we can hope for.

[Artemisia Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been inspired by Thomas Moore’s books ever since the early nineties when Care of Soul first introduced me to his lovely writing. He has a deeply philosophical approach that is based on his background in the Classics, psychotherapy, the study of music, and his time as a seminarian in a Catholic religious order. With such a rich array of study and experience, his books carry a deep authenticity and heart not always found in other books by many of today’s self professed spiritual teachers. In Ageless Soul, the depth of his wisdom has truly flowered into something even more evolved and complete as he makes the case for the importance of aging with soul. So many important aspects of aging soulfully are covered in depth here as Moore includes his own personal memories and reflections on owning our age proudly, the importance of mentoring the younger generation, ways of defining and leaving a legacy, and the use of melancholy and sadness about death as vehicles for self reflection and insight. As I enter the later years of my own life, I’ve been drawn to books on the subject of aging from some of my favorite writers and I have to say that Ageless Soul really made a very deep impression on me, just as his first book caused a significant shift in my spiritual thinking almost 30 years ago.

[Amy Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will most likely return to this book again. For me, the contents spoke to several vulnerable areas of aging and I found Moore's "take" on those things quite liberating. Life-changing. This is good for anyone who is grappling with any aspects of aging, of which there are so many..

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

You might say I’ve been doing some soul-searching as I’ve moved into my 60s. What is this path I am on? Thomas Moore‘s Ageless Soul explores this theme with honesty and optimism. I particularly value Moore’s ability to weave spirituality through practical matters of aging. It’s a bit slow going at first, thus the four stars instead of five.

[Liam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been reading Thomas Moore’s books for a few years and I have to say this one is my favourite. I’m 26 as of this writing, and although this book is “meant” for this who are older, it resonates with me still. The most helpful idea I had was transforming regret in to remorse, which has been quite effective and soothing for me.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted this book through the giveaway program at Goodreads!

We need to embrace the experience of growing older instead of dreading it. Mr. Moore has written a beautiful book that can be referred to again and again throughout our lives

[Elaine Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great positive inspirational read on aging. I have been recommending this book to my family, friends and coworkers. Thanks for an upbeat read.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the Publisher through the Goodreads Giveaways program.

A lot of what the author says in this book is common sense if you look at aging as a positive thing. He does explain the difference between aging and getting old. As someone who is moving into middle age while still feeling quite young on the inside, I do think about different views on aging. Our society seems to devalue people based on looks and stop noticing older people, but everyone has a story and a need to be seen.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Moore has written a practical, wise, easy-to-read book for all ages on aging, not just of the body, but of the soul. The aging of the soul means that we use what happens to us (or to others) to become more fully the complex, grounded, positive person we are meant to be; one who can embrace life while honoring all that we have experienced.

He speaks to how we must tackle and work through all of what happens to us during this journey called life, both the good and the bad. We need to honestly acknowledge our feelings about things, no matter what they are, or we may get 'stuck', unable to move forward from that point. We shouldn't catastrophize negative or hurtful events because dealing with the bad, hard or painful times (which are inevitable in life) moves us along in our journey and allows us to get back on the road to enjoying the joyful moments in our lives.

I know that the bottom line is there is nothing in this book that hasn't been said before, yet Thomas Moore has a way of making me consider (and reconsider) things in a new light. I learned a lot for this book, and I think you will too.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me the opportunity to read an e-copy of this book.

[Laureen Nowakowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Thomas Moore made me feel better about aging and telling people my age. He tell you that aging is just part of life and you must embrace it, and not regret things you should have done in the past. His view on sadness is that it is a natural part of the aging process that should be embraced. If you do, it may not be overwhelming but instead only one in a string of moods. People tend to call it depression, but it is sadness. Simple activities, a walk in nature, the company of agreeable people etc. will improve the sadness. Also, tell someone how you feel and move on. In Chapter 14 he gives a list of books to read to nurture your spirituality. I got this book from the library, but I am going to buy it. It is sort of like having an aging therapist on your bookshelf.

[Barbara P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delighted when I came across Moore's new 2017 book. I have followed his writing for many years. John and I read his Care of the Soul on our honeymoon 21 years ago. His journey and writing is practical, uplifting, and deeply spiritual and helpful in my journey of aging.
For a long time I have believed that the soul continues to move along to uniting with God. Possibly
through reincarnation. Moore mentions this in his book, along with stating other possibilities and ways of growth. Marvelous read and one I will read again and often refer to.

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

What great insight into aging, life, death, purpose, etc. Great for all ages of readers. I may buy my own copy because there are so many places I would like to underline, star, or add !!!! for future reference. Example, from p. 239: "A sense of community with all beings, human and nonhuman, alive and dead, gives us a true picture of what life is all about. If we deny that death is part of life, then we can't fully age, and that is a great problem for our era and for us individually."

[Christine Lichatz · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this heartening book, Thomas Moore escorts us toward the light. From the start, when Moore defined the clear difference between growing old and aging, I was captivated. Like a faithful friend and escort, he speaks the challenges and delights of our shared experience in reconciling Life's Deal. As he did with Care of the Soul, Moore applies an artful hand in weaving the multicolored threads of his theological studies. Our cards shuffled out differently, but we're in the game together.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully written book that I found easy and enjoyable to read. I will be keeping it in my collection for valuable future reference as it is not just a manual for aging but more of a guide for living.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy through Goodreads and thank all those responsible.

In all honesty I was somewhat disappointed. The Author seemed very knowledgeable and referenced comments/alternative philosophies from a range of experts/sources. It was however not until the last third of the book that for me relevant and helpful information was present.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mehhh....

[Carol Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little chaotic.

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're interested in the process of aging, particularly in old age, then it seems natural that you read books on the subject, either to confirm that you've been doing the right things, or to correct having done, or doing, the wrong things. Thomas Moore, from his vantage point of 76 years, and as a therapist, writes about both. I'd call it a general guide, not a specific self-improvement book.

If there's one key that unifies his ideas , I think it's that of alchemy, the turning of base metals into gold. Not alchemy in a literal sense, but of combining and turning all of one's life experiences into some kind meaningful whole toward the end of life. The spirit of youth should be the goal, one of openness and learning from experience, and if that is carried into old age, a person feels young and at peace, no matter what his physical capacities are. Every thing in our past can be incorporated into the present. We can always keep learning from others, but Moore insists but cautions that it takes hard work, persistence, and intelligence.

Moore is realistic. We can be injured by life - a job failure, an illness, a damaged relationship, either with family members or friends, can all cause pain,. Pain in life is inevitable but whatever kind of pain it can be a "catalyst to thought and character. It can wake us up, if only for a moment."
A lot of this "waking up" has to do with storytelling, of putting ourselves into a context that extends beyond our narrow egos. That means becoming aware of complexities and may well go back to memories of parents and grandparents. Moore says that when people are in a storytelling mode about their lives they are more inclined to find the worth in other people. Storytelling, too, makes people think about their impact on others, particularly future generations. Certainly, a universe in which there is order and subsequent goodness is more conducive to a sense of purposefulness in old age.

A particular activity that contributes to a sense of well-being is the awareness of one's dreams. Dreams are visual, non-rational, but they give a perspective that often contradicts waking assumptions. They stretch your mind and put you in touch with the mysterious dimensions of your life and experiences. Without this awareness, it's hard to remain mentally "youthful." Moore acknowledges, though, that interpreting dreams is a skill that is not studied enough. They're like poetic images which have no single meaning, but are open to various interpretations.

Some other suggested activities are to develop a contemplative life which essentially means an awareness of transcendence, of what lies beyond ourselves. That can come in various ways - walking in and noticing the natural world, a sense of some kind of service to others, even if it's small and modest, a study of the spiritual ideas of the past which results in a spiritual intelligence. Moore's own spiritual study has been heavily influenced by a study of James Hillman and Carl Jung, as well as the time he spent in a Catholic seminary for the priesthood.

I think that overall Moore has written a good guide to what he calls the "ageless soul" one that is not defined by physical years . In the last chapter, he quotes from the TAO TE CHING, "On the hub of a wheel there are 30 spokes/ But the empty center makes it work."
The center is 'death'. Moore writes, "You need both life and emptiness to get along. You need all your thoughts and efforts to be ageless, but they work only if you have an empty center" which leads to the ultimate transcendence.

[Anita Ashland · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always good to revisit Jungian psychology regularly, especially given that CBT is all the rage these days. Moore is a Jungian analyst and an expert on James Hillman and provides accessible Jungian insights.

Aging is the topic of this book and he gives some interesting perspectives on it:

"Life is not a straight line but an array of steps moving from one level to the next, each level possibly lasting years. Often the ascension to a new level will be inspired by an extraordinary event, like a sickness, the ending of a relationship, the loss of a job, or a change of place.'

"Even your personality, or more deeply, your very soul, is made up of many ages and many degrees of maturity. You are a layered being. You are many ages at the same time. Crossing through all these layers is a corresponding law: There is something in you that is not touched by the brush of time.'

"To age well it isn’t enough to have experiences; you have to be affected by them."

I also like his approach to therapy:

"My approach to therapy in general has five main elements: 1.   Story: Listen closely to the stories of life. 2.   Dreams: Track dreams to see the soul stuff and time line. 3.   Perspective: Express your own perspective, e.g., don’t judge where the client judges himself. 4.   Face the demons: Deal with issues that arise within yourself. 5.   Spirituality: Be open to questions of ultimate meaning and mystery—the spiritual dimension."

"One of the main principles in the psychotherapy I have practiced for over thirty years is a simple one I got from James Hillman: “Go with the symptom.” In a world where we are always trying to overcome and conquer problems, it is like magic, helping us find relief from heavy emotional strain and opening up into new areas of life. In part, its magic comes from being so different from common sense. Almost always, in the face of pain we ask, “How can I get rid of this?” But our magic principle is quite different: “How can I go further into this problem and find myself on the other side, relieved and happier?”

"If you accept that a person is not a solid unified block but has many distinct aspects or even personalities—psychological polytheism, as Hillman calls it—then you can pursue youth and take on old age at the same time. You can do two things at once. In fact, by acting this way you avoid splitting old age from youth."