Moore talks about life stories in October, 2008

The Life Story Center is planning a festive 20th anniversary evening celebration with Thomas Moore on Wednesday, October 15, 2008. He will speak about "Narrative, Dream and the Life of the Soul" — "how we can find the meaning and shape of our lives by looking at our dreams and considering the stories we tell of our lives, our family, and the places we have been."

The event starts at 7:00 p.m. in the Hannaford Lecture Hall, Abromson Community Education Center, University of Southern Maine, Portland Campus. For ticket information, contact Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at 207 780-4128, or Center for Continuing Education at 207 780-5931.

Television host connects with Thomas Moore

Two of Amy Miller's three taped televison segments with Thomas Moore will air June 2, 2008 and June 9, 2008. The first program about Soul, was shown May 19, 2008.

Thomas Moore, Author and Theologian
June 2, 2008: Care of the Soul
June 9, 2008: Soul Mates and A Life at Work

According to program notes, “Moore's writings open your heart and teach you how to see situations from different perspectives. Due largely to technological advancements, we've become a cut and run society prone to isolation, depression and anxiety. What's the remedy? In three half-hour segments, Thomas explored how we deal with depression, betrayal, and the loss of meaning in our lives. He then discussed how to create a soulful life in modern America.”

The program Connect with Amy Miller broadcasts on Channel 23 CVTV in Barre VT, Mondays 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., Tuesdays 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

The program is shown on Channel 15 ORCA Media in Montpelier, Waterbury VT, Mondays 6:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., Tuesdays 12:30 p.m.

Channel 44 MRVTV in Warren, Waitsfield, VT follows a different schedule for show segments. Check local listings in Vermont and NY.

Summer retreat with Moore starts this Sunday

Tracy Simmons spoke with Thomas Moore earlier this month for a story in the American Republican, published in Waterbury, Connecticut. She writes:

"A Life at Work is about finding the right job and becoming the person you were meant to be.

"It's not just about finding a job somewhere, it's deeper," [Thomas Moore] said. "It has everything to do with feeling that your life is meaningful."

The book addresses how to begin looking for one's life work, how to prevent unhappiness from seeping into other areas of life and how to know when it's time for a change.

"One way people can get an idea of what they should be doing in terms of work is to simply be more in touch with themselves," he said. "I tell them that if they're in the wrong work, they'll know it. They'll be watching the clock, drinking too much, relationships may be difficult, they may feel depressed. There's a lot of things they're going to have to tackle."

Moore uses fairy tales, Greek and Roman mythology and the teachings of Socrates to illustrate his point. He also asked readers to submit their stories about finding meaningful work. He changed names and places and used many of those stories in the book, he said."

Simmons also mentions the retreat with Thomas Moore in Madison, Conn., to start this Sunday: "The summer retreat will include presentations and discussions with Moore as well as time for individual reflection. More information is available at (203) 245-0401."

Thomas Moore deadpans about bedpans

Today, the Washington Post's free daily, Express, published Rachel Kaufman’s interview with Thomas Moore about A Life at Work. Here’s a sample of Moore's responses:

"EXPRESS: How can you know when you're making the right choice?
MOORE: You can't. There's more certainty when everyone is telling you you're doing the right thing, or when you are making a lot of money. Allow yourself time to experiment, to fail. You don't find your life work overnight, and you have to forgive yourself for failures along the way.

EXPRESS: So, if you love your job, is going to work every day a blast?
MOORE: It's important to love what you're doing, but that doesn't mean you enjoy every minute of it. Some people love what they're doing because of what it contributes to the world. They can put up with drudgery if they're making a difference. I've been visiting nurses, and they are telling me very intensely that they love their work because they're giving something to people around them. Yet you can't say, "I really love working with bedpans."

EXPRESS: Do you think people who aren't spiritual can relate to this book?
MOORE: There are obstacles in the way to getting to know what spirituality is about. It's usually presented so horribly. It's presented in church, where there are so many rules and condemnations. Or they get it from people who are simplistic and naive, in a New Age-y fashion. It's a wonder that anyone is drawn to it at all. Get some classic spiritual writing, like the Tao Te Ching. It's a spiritual point of view, but there's nothing to believe in. I think belief is way overdone."

Kaufman writes about A Life at Work, "... for a quiet, understated way to get inspiration to face the next Monday, it works."

Thomas Moore talks about living a soulful life

At the beginning of next month, Thomas Moore will guide a retreat at Mercy Center at Madison in Connecticut. A summer mansion had grown to 116 interconnecting rooms when acquired by the Sisters of Mercy of Connecticut over half a century ago. The retreat centre has 33 acres of ocean front property with more than 45 different species of trees. It offers a private beach, outdoor gardens, and the Seaside Meditation Room and Chapel to help visitors "feel welcomed, safe and peaceful..."

The description of Thomas Moore’s program, "Living a Soulful Life," June 1 to June 3, 2008 includes:

"A soulful life is one that is connected, forgiving and trusting, creative, spiritually sophisticated, and deeply grounded. The goal is not a life that is perfect and healthy, but one that is rich and interesting. An accent on the deep soul finds a place for depression, failures, dead-ends, and regrets. It respects the human struggle to make a beautiful life in a challenging world. This retreat will include presentation, discussion and ample time for individual reflection. The topics covered are designed to help you integrate your past, find meaningful work, sort out difficulties in relationship, enjoy your sexuality, and make a contribution to the world."

Call the centre at 203 245-0401 between 9 am and 4 pm, Monday through Friday, or email the centre, Info@MercyByTheSea.org for more information about Thomas Moore’s retreat.