Hi, friends,
In this episode of BEYOND MEANING, I speak with Thomas Moore—psychotherapist, former monk, and author of the modern classic Care of the Soul. His work has had a quiet but profound impact on me, especially in helping me see the value of soulful living (something different from endlessly striving toward spiritual growth or self-improvement).
In this conversation, we explore the differences between soul and spirit: two dimensions of life that often pull us in opposite directions. We talk about the hidden dangers of spiritual ambition, the temptation to transcend the messiness of life, and the quiet wisdom of attending to symptoms, moods, dreams, and the deeper stories that shape our inner world.
We also touch on narcissism as a signal that the soul is not being sufficiently loved; the role of imagination, sex, sadness—and even depression—as doorways into a more grounded, embodied kind of spirituality.
This was a deeply moving conversation for me. I hope you find in it some guidance, resonance, or inspiration for your own journey.
With love and gratitude,
Simeon
