Customer Reviews

The Five Stages of the Soul: Charting the Spiritual Passages That Shape Our Lives

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This book was seminal in describing to me and helping me to understand the extent to which my life has been and continues to be a spiritual journey, one that was originated by the God of the universe, and to which the journey leads. This is a book for all, but especially for those who have been brought up in a majority Christian culture, but who eschew the parochialism and often bigoted dogma and rigid theology of mainstream and particularly, right wing christian culture.

The authors use all the great spiritual traditions to describe their concepts of the spiritual journey, including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and others. This is a book that really emphasizes the individual relationship with the Holy One, the Great Lover, and so has an attractive mystical bent. Quotes from the writings of Rumi as well as St Theresa of Avila, John of the Cross and Julian of Norwich fit very comfortably together within the authors' spiritual paradigm.

If you would like a book that can explain to you how you and everyone else on earth might fit into God's plan, despite differences in dogma and theology, then this book is for you. After all, this is exactly what Christ taught, despite orthodox bigots' exclusionary proclamations.

It's an easy read the first time, and gives forth more richly on subsequent readings.

I decided not to take any books on my (solo) vacation this year -- preferring instead to see what I would gravitate toward 'on the road' (my way of living dangerously -- such an exciting life I lead!). So it was, in one of the bookstores at Logan Airport in Boston that I came to be standing in front of the philosophy/self-improvement section. No -- PLEASE no self improvement (I said to myself). Aren't vacations supposed to be a respite from such relentless work?. But something (probably the link between my impending 37th birthday and the book's idea that a spiritual journey is natural in mid-life) intrigued me too much to let myself put this book back on the shelf.

When I reached my destination, I was still reluctant to start such a deep-sounding subject, but I picked it up anyway -- just to read a bit to get myself to sleep. Three hours later, I was still in the midst of this engrossingly descriptive guidepost to maturing spirituality. Reluctantly I put it aside to get some sleep, but the next morning I finished it -- somewhere between breakfast and lunch. Like another reviewer said, now I know what several friends will be getting for birthdays/Christmas presents!

I suppose the thing that touched me most was the inclusionary (rather than exclusionary) nature of the examples of different stages of 'the journey' -- tapping many different faith traditions rather than one particular dogma. Well, that and the idea that I have something 'new' ahead of me as I hit my forties and beyond, rather than more of the same old thing. I'd like to read it again soon (and I have a feeling I'll want to read it several times in the next couple of decades), but I'll have to get another copy -- my 'original' has been on loan since returning from my trip!

I'm a well educated, ie former attorney, American male, 65 years old. Born & raised a Roman Catholic, but not a practicing Catholic for decades; I enjoy exploring & reading @ spritual & religious topics; I consider myself, with a huge tongue in check, an amateur metaphysician. I've read 20 - 30 - 40 books in this area during the past 15 years. This is the best! Period. I think that @ age 40, I would not have been able to understand this book or what Moody was trying to teach; as I grew older, more intrsospective, & more torn by ambiguity, I found the subject matters of this book much more "pressing". If you read 1 book @ the spiritual aspects of maturity @ the 50+ stage of life, I suggest you start your explorations with this 1! A classic!

My interest in The Five Stages of the Soul was first tweakedwhen I heard Dr. Harry Moody's interview on Public Radio many months ago.His words somehow touched a resonant cord within me. This book was about the inner search for meaning in life and of the five spiritual stages that most of us pass through along the road of life. It was about life, and meaning, and the spiritual path. I was hooked. Since that time, I have read his book almost twice. It has been far more than I originally expected, and have passed out several copies to my closest friends. Dr. Moody has put a lifetime of extensive research and reflection into this excellent work, and frankly, I am a little awed by his genius. But this is not a book for the casual reader, or for those who have not been on the planet for awhile. In my opinion, to fully appreciate this book and gain from its insights, one must have experienced and observed life, and must have searched for answers, and reflected on what life is all about. And that normally requires a certain level of maturity and perhaps chronological age as well. This book revolves around the divine discontent that motivates us along a lifetime search for truth and toward an inner discovery of who we are and why we are here. Dr. Moody draws extensively from his research in the field of aging and from his personal life experiences. This is a book about real people and real life experiences, yet it incorporates the best of the ancient spiritual teachings and religious traditions, universal principles and insights that have stood the test of time. I cannot recommend this book too highly. It is a skillfully written and inspirational work that I consider worthy of serious study and reflection.

Rarely has a book affected me as profoundly as The Five Stages of the Soul. Like the mythic lighthouse beaming brightness into the dark, authors Moody and Carroll bring illumination into the deepest recesses of our souls and provide insight into the challenging and difficult struggles of life.

Actually, this is the first book that I've read suggesting the concept of stages in soul growth, especially during one's middle years. Those of the "baby boomer" era who are also caring for elderly parents may identify with many of the stories artfully woven into each chapter. While the content of the book is deep and thought provoking, the material is presented in language and style that is understandable and inviting.

Giving meaning to our daily lives, encouraging growth through struggle, and offering hope through spiritual commitment are a few of the gifts laden in the pages of this book. Perhaps you may even find, as I did, answers to questions unformed yet ever present and waiting.

I have always been interested in spiritual and emotional growth in adulthood and though various people like Erikson, Vaillant, Levinson, Peck, Gebser, Jung, and Maslow etc. have tackled this issue in many interesting ways, I liked Moody's account the best. He explains it in a way that I can relate to and has beautiful life stories of people that go with it. This book has helped me get a better grasp on where I have been, where I am, and where I am going and I am sure that this makes all the difference in the overall quality of my life. Another book that I like equally on this subject matter is one called "The Ever-Transcending Spirit" by Toru Sato. This tremendous book by Sato looks at this from a very different perspective but has extremely interesting stuff about consciousness and relationships as well as human growth. Yet it makes everything look so simple, yet so clear. Both these books deserve five stars if not more.

As one of the "cases" or "sources" of the authors I can attest to the integrity and sensitivity of their presentations. Although each has his own commitment, the work is non-sectarian, yet deeply moving. As the Sufi's (followers of Islam's inner dimension) "There are as many ways to God is there are human hearts." Moody's 11-year-old son has done a nice web page for the book. Search for 5stages.

This book was used as a basis for a graduate class I took. This book helps the reader to understand their relationship with God and the depth of that relationship. I continually recommend this book to families
with whom I work. It has changed my life for the better.

Many of us experience moments when we ask ourselves if there isn't something missing from our lives. It may feel like something we used to have but which has been left behind or been misplaced somewhere. Perhaps it feels like it is somehow still with us but it is buried under the clutter of our daily existence. It may seem frustrating that we feel it is missing but we can't put our finger on just what "it" is. But it still calls to us. We have a sense of being incomplete without it.

For anyone who has felt this tug, this calling, there is The Five Stages of the Soul. The book connects you with many other people who have felt this call and many who went in search of what was missing. Their stories, together with words of wisdom from many ages and cultures, are woven together in the context of a set of steps which Dr. Moody has observed are necessary for finding that which has gone lost.

Excellent book! Well researched. Well written. Inspiring. Can and should be read more than once.

To me, this is an excellent reference book as it facilitates understanding, in an easy to follow model, of the unfolding of the soul on one's spiritual journey. I have and will continue to recommend it to others who are searching for an illustrated road map of their inner evolution to realization. Moody sights many interesting references, as well of his own experiences, in soul development.