Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Ageless Soul: Living a Full Life with Joy and Purpose” as Want to Read:
Ageless Soul: Living a Full Life with Joy and Purpose
by
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
...more
Get A Copy
Audio CD
Published
October 10th 2017
by MacMillan Audio
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Ageless Soul,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of Ageless Soul: Living a Full Life with Joy and Purpose

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 n ...more
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 n ...more

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, "B
...more

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 bo
...more

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. Mo
...more

A beautiful book about aging, the author talks about many aspects of aging inculding health, anger, sex, finding purpose after retirement, and several more. I have read several of Thomas Moore's book and I have enjoyed and learned a lot from them. This one is filled with ideas on how to age well. I loved the suggestions of facing aging head on and not trying to pretend to be an age you are not. He talks about looking into your past, telling meaningful stories about your life, mentoring, and find
...more

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.
...more

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 ow
...more

Mar 23, 2018
Marta
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
physical-and-mental-health
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. ...more
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. ...more

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!

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
...more

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
...more

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
...more

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..
...more

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.

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.

Oct 13, 2017
Anne
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
my-gifted-free-give-aways-goodread
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
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

I won a copy of "Ageless Soul" on Goodreads First Reads. I loved this book and plan to reread it many times. It is filled with wisdom. I highly recommend this book.
...more

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 ...more
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 ...more

Oct 27, 2017
Kathy
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
4-stars-very-good,
netgalley
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 honest ...more
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 honest ...more

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 agr
...more

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 r ...more
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 r ...more

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."
...more

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.
...more

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 ...more
If there's one key that unifies his ideas , I think it's that of alchemy, the turning of base metals ...more

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 ...more
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 ...more

4.5/5
A book that speaks to the soul. It confirms that age is really just a number and all what matters is your life journey. If you continuously practice reflection and work on the achievement of self-fulfillment, you’ll be able to live your life gracefully while keeping in mind that death is inevitable. So, embrace your age and live your life because aging is a blessing.
*****
Highlights:
“You have to give up this physical existence. How else can you explode into self-realization?”-p29
“The point i ...more
A book that speaks to the soul. It confirms that age is really just a number and all what matters is your life journey. If you continuously practice reflection and work on the achievement of self-fulfillment, you’ll be able to live your life gracefully while keeping in mind that death is inevitable. So, embrace your age and live your life because aging is a blessing.
*****
Highlights:
“You have to give up this physical existence. How else can you explode into self-realization?”-p29
“The point i ...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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 lec ...more
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 lec ...more
News & Interviews
Kazuo Ishiguro insists he’s an optimist about technology.
“I'm not one of these people who thinks it's going to come and destroy us,” he...
170 likes · 21 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Anger is often like an inverted lotus: On the surface lie muddy, not-so-beautiful roots. Under water lie beautiful blossoms. You need to develop an amphibious eye to appreciate the full meaning of such an unusual flower.”
—
1 likes
“It’s often the case that in the bodies of several friends we see one soul. —Marsilio Ficino, Letter to Almanno Donati”
—
0 likes
More quotes…