Enjoyed the new way of thinking about being in the world without having to figure it all out.

A different approach to looking at problems in relationships without the blame. Sometimes a bit circular in reasoning, want to ask him - OK, what exactly do you mean and what is one supposed to do. But overall, resonated with it a lot, comforting. The soul has it's own reasons, which he distinguishes from the higher self.

This is one of those books where you're never quite sure at any paragraph if what you're reading is pure wisdom or just another insipid platitude. Which way you go with it seems to be your choice. And perhaps that's fitting. That said, I really liked this book. Thomas Moore seemed to take a fresh approach to relationships that tried never to hide behind tradition or moralism. He urged patience in understanding yourself. And he advised listening intently to those dark moments of the soul when you feel faced with impossible choices. Insipid platitudes? Pure wisdom? Maybe a little of both.

What is a soul mate? I don't think the author here really explains it, so it is left as a mystery. I admit, it is difficult to define such a spiritual concept in concrete terms, and his title does say "honoring the mysteries of love and relationship," but an attempt to explain how people connect as soul mates would have been helpful.

Ultimately I found this book to be not so much about soul mates, but about the author's own beliefs about the workings of the soul and our connections with others. His explanations mix in his own experiences, myths, and the ideas of philosophers, poets and archetypal psychologists, but I felt that he neglected to explain how such a relationship works in our present day society.

I would recommend this book, but I think the reader may be more confused about the concept after reading it than before. It is an ephemeral and magical account of the topic, but lacks a real attempt to unravel or solve the mystery. The author is happy to leave the soul and its dealings as a mysterious, ineffable and unexplainable aspect of our lives. So where does that leave us? In my opinion, nowhere.

So be it! Let's leave it as a mystery. But I would have rather read an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson or a poem by Rumi if I wanted to remain on such amorphous grounds!

Not sure what to do with the thoughts/feelings that have gripped me since reading Moore’s book. Over and over he writes of the “soul-work” we’re all challenged to engage in.

And really all along the way and right to the end he’s making an argument for facing off with and confronting everything that transpires in our lives without judgement, that love is the ground and life affirmation the end all: the good and bad, the dark and despairing, the difficult and confusing, the grand and glorious, the joyous and uplifting, all of it revealing and important in seeing clearly who and how we are in the world, and what we want to be.

He’s saying let it play out, pay attention, keep truckin’, even at your worst, the lowest moment in your life, imagine it, the darkest most challenging and insufferable moment of your life, he’s saying stand firm, lean in, be vulnerable, take the blows, be angry, be sad, be firm, be assertive, let go or give in, do not resist, and/or resist, yes yes, let it play out, be who you are and be who you aren’t, fearlessness and courage ever so paramount. There’s no fixed entity, ego, there’s just you in a moment, creating, acting, thinking and feeling. LIVE and LOVE!

This is not easy, to be fully engaged and alive to all of what we are and what our soul mates are. And here’s the deal, we don’t connect with everyone, some folks touch us immediately, attract us, we gravitate to them, and it can be absolutely inappropriate, and you can see pain and suffering in it, but it’s near unavoidable, you have to navigate the difficulties, listen, see, hear and feel, decide, or not decide, yes yes, live and love.

There’s insight and understanding that provokes and unsettles, and an odd and paradoxical feeling of comfort and confidence right along side a crazed fear and anxiety.

Much to ponder here. I am a changed person and there’s more to come as it all plays out. That’s what good books do to you. ♥

This book was much more than I expected in terms of content and nuance. Not one word of this book is superfluous, and I particularly found his use and readings of myths to be very valuable. I think any one person can gain powerful and encouraging insights into their own lifepath and relationships by reading this book. I will definitely check out more of Thomas Moore's works.

Quite good insight into soulful life. Since was looking a bit more on soulful relationship in terms of friendship so agreed with author here and there generic manner.

I think Thomas Moore is a powerful writer. And this is a powerful book.

Another good book for soul work.

Read this with the man I would love and adore for 20 years when we were still dating. Deep read and I loved it, as did he.

It's entirely possible this book is ahead of it's time. At this moment however, it is vague, repetitive, and inadequate writing. The further I got through this book the more I felt its points had already been made. I picked up this book hoping to find clear points I could learn from but I found myself shaking my head and looking up from the book in bewilderment. Maybe this book is revolutionary and one day all books with be written by exploring every possibility without one concrete point, but I found this book mind-numbing and difficult to read.

dipped my toe in to the mystery of the soul. a rewarding experience .