Philosophy Spirituality

The Power of Soul, Living the Twelve Virtues

by Robert Sardello Review by David Lorimer, April 2003

Published: 2003
Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing Company Inc 2003 229 pp. $15.95
Format: Paperback
Pages: 229
ISBN: 9780983226147

Publisher’s description

The Power of Soul presents a practical approach to knowing the spiritual world emanation represented by the twelve virtues and how it works into our soul and bodily life in furthering our evolution into humanity. By coming to "KNOWING" the interplay between spirit, soul, and body and the twelve virtues our present incarnation can become a conscious soul life connected to the spiritual world, enabling virtue to be lived right here on Earth. This book is a practical guide, complete with the phenomenology of the 12 virtues related to humanity, alchemical processes, and experiential exercises for the reader. For those involved in any type of spiritual or soul work, The Power of Soul is a treasure to return to over and again. "Would we not have quite a different science--a different biology, chemistry, medicine, botany, agriculture, technology--if these matters were approached through the twelve virtues of equanimity, patience, selflessness, love, compassion, devotion, balance, faithfulness, courtesy, truth, courage, and discernment? If an education into virtue constituted an important part of becoming a scientist or a researcher, an educator or a lawyer, the realms of research and practice would appear quite different than they do to the eyes of one trained only in the professions as they now exist... "Is the term 'virtue' any longer viable'... In the past, people made a concerted effort to live a virtuous life. To speak in this way now sounds antiquated; and it is. "We know too much about the darker sides of human nature and of the necessity of recognizing the shadow aspects of the soul to believe in being virtuous in the older ways in which this was understood. We need to develop the capacities to observe the most subtle of our inner states and outer acts, the connection or lack of connection between them, and the subtle results of our acts. These practices form the new field within which reinvigorating virtue can take place." (from the introduction)

Robert Sardello is one of the most powerful voices in the new 'psychology of the soul. This book is psycho-spiritual writing at its best. Sardello does not approach virtue from a religious perspective, but he is skeptical of equating spiritual development with practices that do not also entail inner moral development. Virtues are not skills but rather manifestations of our humanity, and they work at metamorphosing ego consciousness. The chapters that follow are reflections on devotion, balance, faithfulness, selflessness, compassion, courtesy, equanimity, patience, truth, courage, discernment and love. It is a profound journey that invites the reader to a finer self-awareness and practice of service to others.

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