Customer Reviews

Fulfillment Using Real Conscience: Practical Guide for Psychological and Spiritual Wellness

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As a person who has had the honor of meeting and speaking with Dr. Xavier in person, he is the only doctor from any field of a scientific background to not only recognize but emphasize the impact of religion and health. Assuming he is one of a handful in the medical who has not lost sight of religion because of imperical proof. He is a religous person himself, and I applaud him for bringing religion into the medical arena. Thank you Dr X.!

With clinical cases, the author, N.S Xavier, M.D, gives examples of what he means by `conscience' by first starting with a clear, detailed definition of its meaning and how we should apply it to our lives.

The case studies exemplify the theory behind applying the concepts of conscience in understanding human needs, why it is essential to suppress our `superego' (p.4) thoughts before they get out of control and how we find ourselves spiralling into a downward turn and to suicidal tendancies, as a result.

Further case studies demonstrate how having an awareness of conscience, we become more in tune with our innate ability to make decisions wisely and objectively, as we use our `wise minds' (p.24) to distinguish between a good and bad judgement.

It's remarkable how, through these real case studies, such differences make an impact on our lives. changing them for the better, allowing us to see how, in one case study, mental disturbances and suicidal inclinations, originally affecting their relationships to a large extent, can be resolved.

Ideas are suggested for developing this concept of nurturing our conscience through theoretical points, backed by 3 decades of psychiatric experience and citations from stories told, of a rabbi visiting heaven and hell and of how those in hell suffer relentlessly, "hell bent" on being rigidly consistent (p.19) by satisfying 'irrational gratification' (p.15) of not learning from past mistakes, bad judgements and lack of insight into their actions.

Further references to the philosophy of Confucius, Buddhism and Hinduism are cited to explain why having a conscientious mind, compassion becomes an essential part of ourselves and the decisions we make.

An easy to follow guide on using our conscience ensues, showing that extremities of behaviour narrow our thoughts, creating a rrppling effect on our actions [a passage I recommend readers look at, to understand the idea of conscience and consciousness. (pp.25-32)], encouraging unhealthy habits and disciplines which distort our outlook, thus feeding our superegos to no end, resulting in bad decisions made and an unreasonable upholding of
extreme ideological thoughts which could easily develop into activist ones.

An interesting, yet startling comparison between being superegoism and consciousness is set out in the book: in adhering rigidly to rules, stubbornness is taken out of all proportion so that everyone else is blamed, irrationally. In a clear list-form, such differences are given, point by point and which reads easily (pp.39-40). Bullet points of the healthy effects of having conscience follows, showing the psychological and sanctuary-like wellbeing effects for the person.

In addition, the book explains how spiritual defences can be a self defeating game which can harm us in the long term, in always referring to the conflicts between spiritual and physical doctrines using virtuous `arguments' to support such a standpoint. Concepts to help create a healthy conscience mind follows, in easily digestible sections, titled and bullet pointed for reference later.

Having stated real clinical cases for introducing us to the idea of being aware of our conscience and the differences between understanding the self and the extreme self, a perspective is given on human needs, its common features and nurturing it to gain satisfaction within moderation. A table of points on the difference between healthy and unhealthy guilt and shame ensue. Ideas on how to help you get and maintain self esteem, a healthy identity and our relation with others and God, freedom in using consciousness to help us live in a society which has its drawbacks as well as living a fulfilling life, are expressed in a style which expresses such ideas clearly.

A profound look at how we can achieve inner peace and a life which leads to inner happiness as well as our integration into society through our awareness of fairness and acceptance of others.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It combines our spiritual and psychological self which induced in me the ability to discount stereotypical thought processes and what I thought I was supposed to think and feel. It's okay to follow your real and true conscience. I still refer to this book for myself and friends. It brings about a comfort in knowing it's ok to feel what you have known all along is okay.