Reviewer says: Moore Gently Gardens through our Soul

The Literary Addict - Compulsively Experiencing Words

While browsing for reviews of Thomas Moore's "A Life at Work", I believe that I discovered one that Barque: Thomas Moore does not have. The review seemed to be life offering an answer to my emotional comment on Opus Day 2, Living Creatively. The author of Reading Thomas Moore's "A Life at Work", her entry of March 9, 2008, is Lorette Luzajic. Luzajic is, herself, a published author of The Astronaut’s Wife – Poems of Eros and Thanatos, a collection of poetry. She quotes Moore's comment concerning her poetry on her website. Moore said, "Your book of poems is wonderful. I like the style very much. Imaginative, witty, blessedly free of normal logic, surprising, profound, very human, touching, sassy. I like them and thank you for sending them. Looking forward to the next book.”

After beginning with a quotation that I haven't read in the book yet, about the Icarus syndrome, she writes,
"Moore points out the glory of thinkers like Icarus: “…the spirit of Eternal Youth may give rise to idealism, inventiveness, enthusiasm, and a strong urge to be creative.” But the pitfalls are there to smash us mid-flight: “On the negative side, it is often unrealistic and wishful. At its core there often sits a smoldering narcissism- excessive self-regard, extreme self-consciousness….(he) thinks up one project after another and rarely completes any of them.” Later, although acknowledging hurt, she writes,
"While this Icarus spirit seems like an uncommitted madman, my narcissism glows after the above bruising when Moore points out, “Out of all the visionary hopes and dreams may come brilliant ideas. The lives of inventors and artists are full of the struggle to get their novel ideas grounded in real life. A youthful spirit keeps you young and flexible. It may also be the basis of a fervent spirituality…”

After talking about other teachers that she has besides Moore, including her father, she returns to Moore and his treatment of alchemy:
"Moore always finds a way to bring in some of his favourite topics like alchemy, and he illustrates how we mix and temper our past experiences, good and bad, with our hopes for future possibilities. He shows us how to come to terms with our work past- from the mundane to the once glorious and failed. He shows us how to remain open to the opus we may not yet see patterning in our lives. He doesn’t say a word about how to make a resume or impress a corporation we’re hoping to move into. Instead, he gently gardens through our soul and reminds us that whatever we have planted or grown or lost, our life is not over yet."

Finally, An Erotic Dream!

I never dream! Rather, I should say that when I remember, they are never of a remarkable nature. More often than not, I dream of being stuck trying to get help loading my vehicle with building supplies at a Home Depot. With all the problems getting customer service, these days, perhaps that dream is in our collective unconscious. This morning, something seemed different.

Last night, while sharing my remaining awareness with Insomnia playing on the TV in the background, I decided to browse Thomas Moore's book, "The Soul of Sex: Cultivating Life as an Act of Love". I have been listening again to Moore's audio cassettes, "Thomas Moore on Creativity" and "Thomas Moore on Meaningful Work". In both of those presentations, Moore talks about the importance of Eros in everyday life. He reminds the listener that in addition to sex, is the need of the soul for desire, pleasure, beauty, deep satisfaction. Chapter titles and sub-titles got my attention for deeper consideration: "The Role of the Erotic Imagination", "The Sex Life of the Soul", "The Erotic Life of Things" and, the most appealing to me, "Earthly Pleasures: The Epicurean Life".

The result of this pre-sleep exploration was the most sexually explicit dream I've ever remembered. Although there was no naked bodies, there was playful, seductive conversation and propositioning. What does it mean? My approach comes from my listening to Moore, that is not to take it literally. Since I've been dealing with a heart problem over the past year, I've been focused on diminished expectations about life more than looking for those experiences that bring pleasure and satisfaction. I see it as a reminder to tend to my soul by noticing what brings me pleasure, like our dancing, and satisfaction, like keeping the dining room table clear of that mail that needs attention.

Have you had any dreams that reminded you to tend to your soul's erotic life?

Beliefnet's 10 Ways to Simplify Your Life

from the

10 Ways to Simplify Your Life

By Paul Borthwick

One hundred years ago, "burned out" referred to the campfire. "Chronic fatigue syndrome" occurred only in insomniacs. People described an automobile on ice as being "out of control," but they wouldn't refer to their lives that way. Times change. Our lives get cluttered. As we face an ever-increasing pace of life governed by email, instant messaging, and 24-7 busyness, we may become paralyzed looking at the options. These tips, based off of Christian principles, are designed to help you uncomplicate your life. Click here for the first tip...

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"Adapted from "Simplify: 106 Ways to Uncomplicate Your Life," by Paul Borthwick. Copyright 2007. Authentic Publishing. Used with permission.

Lecture of a Lifetime (update)

Nearly everyone has heard of the Carnegie Mellon Professor, who, at the age of 47 was found to have pancreatic cancer and was given 3 to six months to live. Randy Pausch delivered his Lecture of a Lifetime which has been circulated for all to see over the internet.


ABC News will run an update on this inspiring story on April 9th at 10:00 Dst. Here is a preview. Be sure to set your DVR or VCR.