It is a great book for self-knowledge and in particular for personal relationships and the emotions associated with them. The author encourages us to recognize with honesty that each one is primarily responsible for what is in his heart. If this is recognized, a true conversion can take place, which is the path to happiness. It is usual for people to blame others for their own problems and not want to accept that it is in our hands to regain freedom, live in harmony with others and in peace with ourselves.
The author provides theoretical and practical tools to overcome very deep problems. He affirms that we create our own emotional conflicts and get trapped in them. Denying this reality is a self-deception and it takes a lot of courage to be honest and begin to change deeply. The moment you accept your own responsibility on negative thoughts and emotions, you discover with joy your fears, insecurities, misgivings with yourself and with others, and you manage to start being otherwise. We free ourselves from an extremely heavy burden.
The real cases that are developed are very useful, the shared stories of many people who have gone through this situation. This help us to recognize ourselves in very similar situations. The author invites us to write down our own story for therapeutic purposes. This practical part of the book facilitates a deep and true understanding of our actions and attitudes and to discern with clarity the way to overcome the problems by ourselves. This process, being free, is more satisfying. It will often be difficult because there is a natural tendency to self-defense.
It may also happen that some readers are people who have constant feelings of guilt, low self-esteem, and in these cases they will free themselves from that false image, open up to the truth and stop suffering. The condition is that they do not get discouraged on the road to change and that they overcome their constant fears. Personal honesty will always lead to truth, and truth liberates.
The chapter titles: The loss of serenity; Living a lie; The selfish attitude; Playing the victim; The joint falsehood; The darkness in our eyes; In the end there is always light; Opening up to others; Influence; The truth dispels the lie; Doing good; What comes after the change of heart; How to change the influence of the past; Forgiveness, renunciation and freedom.
The conclusion of the book may help to understand its deeper purpose. We must surrender to the supremacy of love above all else. The hypercritical, competitive, authoritarian, combative and controlling way of life ends up destroying itself. Kind, empathetic and generous people focus on what really matters. Their behavior is attractive because love invites cooperation and creativity.
It is recommended reading for all people who want to go deeper into their inner world, into the cause of their problems in human relationships and for those who want to help other people conflicts. Especially to those who do not know how to go deeper or do not understand the most complicated people. There is a deep Christian vision.