Modern society is no stranger to the idea of self-help books and psychology. With countless bestselling theories hitting the printing presses each year on topics ranging from relationships to sleeping, self-improvement books are available in bookstores, online and even in audio form. Despite the astounding number of existing resources available at the literal fingertips of the world population, there is still a market for new ideas and theories. This would lead one to believe the market is thriving because there still exists an overall sense of disillusionment or meaninglessness in people’s lives. It is this general sense of emptiness that Thomas Moore addresses in his book, Care of the Soul. A writer and psychotherapist, Moore also has degrees
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Learning how to modify or alter human behaviors to achieve a sense of normalcy is the goal of these practices. Contrasted with the more organic concepts of soulful living, modern therapies have clear salvational tones at their core: by learning to be more assertive, loving, calm, thin, etc., one can improve their life, and they will be cured. Soul-based observations change perceptions of issues, and problems transform into access points for exploring one’s humanity. Moore evaluates how modern psychology inhibits a deep love for oneself, and can cause one to focus on the surface of their life rather than the deeper more soulful experiences. Discovering avenues that will nurture the soul is exceedingly more beneficial than a masochistic refusal of the ego’s desire. (pg. 73). The temptation of modern practices is to be drawn to the cure. For example, an individual who is identified with dependency thinks that health and happiness lie in becoming independent. But achieving independence keeps the individual bound to the real problem because it simply moves the symptom from one side of the spectrum to the other. The soulful way of approaching this issue is to go with what is presented rather than go against it: learn to be dependent in a way that is nourishing and not so extreme. (pg. 8) Failure of modern psychology is to emphasize change so completely that individuals often neglect their own natures for an ideal of normality and health that might not exist for
Learning how to modify or alter human behaviors to achieve a sense of normalcy is the goal of these practices. Contrasted with the more organic concepts of soulful living, modern therapies have clear salvational tones at their core: by learning to be more assertive, loving, calm, thin, etc., one can improve their life, and they will be cured. Soul-based observations change perceptions of issues, and problems transform into access points for exploring one’s humanity. Moore evaluates how modern psychology inhibits a deep love for oneself, and can cause one to focus on the surface of their life rather than the deeper more soulful experiences. Discovering avenues that will nurture the soul is exceedingly more beneficial than a masochistic refusal of the ego’s desire. (pg. 73). The temptation of modern practices is to be drawn to the cure. For example, an individual who is identified with dependency thinks that health and happiness lie in becoming independent. But achieving independence keeps the individual bound to the real problem because it simply moves the symptom from one side of the spectrum to the other. The soulful way of approaching this issue is to go with what is presented rather than go against it: learn to be dependent in a way that is nourishing and not so extreme. (pg. 8) Failure of modern psychology is to emphasize change so completely that individuals often neglect their own natures for an ideal of normality and health that might not exist for