This work is the English translation, by Lewis Delmage, of Father Narciso Irala's original work "O Controle Cerebral," first published in Spanish in 1944. Father Irala was a Catholic priest and a practicing psychologist, and he here addresses ways to promote mental and emotional well-being to, in turn, help increase one's health, efficiency and happiness.
Fr. Narciso Irala, S.J. (Narciso Irala Martínez Del Villar) was a Jesuit priest and a practicing psychologist.
Narciso Irala Martínez Del Villar (Portugal, 7 de fevereiro de 1896 — Pamplona, 13 de maio de 1988) foi um psiquiatra e missionário jesuíta português. Durante sua estadia pela China descreveu as condições de sofrimento por que passavam os chineses em guerra. Irala ministrou diversas conferências pelo Brasil.
Em 1913 Irala ingressou para a Companhia de Jesus e, no mesmo ano, foi enviado em missão para Wuhu na China, onde permaneceu durante 22 anos. Irala ainda esteve durante 4 anos na Argentina, e, por conta do comunismo saiu da China para morar no Brasil, onde passou a ministrar conferências sobre psiquiatria. Irala foi palestrante em mais de 50 países.
‘True happiness is like a noble lady, calm and collected, who dwells in the interior of the soul’s castle, knowing her real treasures and growing in appreciation of them. She is often seen externally through the window of the face when she clothes the human face with a smile. Her smile is the bright vesture of a rationale being, something had neither by the animals nor the most beautiful flowers.’
This book is spectacular, direct and to the point. Every chapter is laid out with practical tips for all aspects of our lives. It took me a while to finish though, you really want to try and understand this book, I know this book will be referred to and recommended to others in the future. It does a wonderful job of staying on par with science yet in a seamless manner shows the reader its implications in the Interior Life.
A good, practical book; some of the ideas are very applicable and helpful, as well as something you can act on right now, so I really appreciated that. It reads a little slow, but it is a translated book that was originally written a while ago, so that's only to be expected.
My priest brother passes these out to everyone he knows. It was a very good and helpful read for all who would like to be always at peace. The second half had lots of practical advice for oneself and for helping one's children as they grow and face different struggles in life.
----------------------------------------- Some parts were genius. Extremely practical advice on maintaining mental stability, resting properly, controlling feelings, controlling the will, etc. The overlap of psychology and the spiritual life was pretty well done. Whenever he stayed general, discussing topics that apply to all humans, I enjoyed it more; whenever he got too deep or focused on a particular problem (like the inferiority complex or something like that), I enjoyed it less.
Libro de obligatoria lectura. Se trata de un manual para aprender a ser feliz, a controlar nuestros sentimientos y que ellos no nos controlen y a ser más eficiente. Una reflexión del autor: "Nunca ha habido tanta diversión, comodidad y placer como ahora, y nunca se han quejado tantos de aburrimiento, insatisfacción interna y angustia".