Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Finding a Healthy Religious Practice

If you missed the documentary by N. S. Xavier last week on APT, here is your chance to see it on YouTube. Here is a review I posted when the film was first presented in a local venue in Birmingham, Alabama. You will also be able to view the film in its entirety. 

Thirty years ago, N.S. Xavier wrote The Two Faces of Religion: A Psychiatrists View where he outlined traits of healthy vs. unhealthy religion. Later he wrote The Holy Region: A Wonder of World Religions in Harmony which introduces us to the region of Kerala, India, where different faiths have learned to live together in harmony. After that he wrote Fulfillment Using Real Conscience: Practical Guide for Psychological and Spiritual Wellness. This film is a wonderful bringing together of his lifetime contributions to the field of religious practice.

The World's Most Enlightening Region







What role does conscience play in human choices? 
Is religion or spirituality relevant in our times?
Is religion compatible with science? Is it useful for psychological health?




Dr. N. S. Xavier explores these questions as he takes us on an amazing journey to a remarkable region in India. The Kerala region in India is the great exception to the violence and cultural clashes that have occurred in India and throughout the world. In this ancient region, Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Jews have lived together peacefully, even sharing in some of their celebrations.


Dr. Xavier, who is from India, gives us a fascinating look at the history of the region, explores the dynamics of the different faiths that are established in Kerala, and examines healthy religion vs. unhealthy religion. He gives some ideas about healthy religion by enumerating the things that conscience promotes:
  • Faith without fanaticism
  • Discipline without rigidity
  • Pleasure without addiction
  • Power without abusive force
  • Self-esteem without false pride
  • Individuality without self-centeredness
  • Loving relationships without selfishness or hate
  • Loyalty to one's group without unfairness to other groups
  • Integration of the past without impediment to the present
  • Future direction without loss of balance
  • Good judgment without prejudice
  • Deep morality without superficial moralism


The film debuted at the Parliament of the World's Religions last month in Salt Lake City, and can now be seen in its entirety on YouTube and can be viewed below (about an hour long). Dr. Xavier's website and contact information is at http://www.nsxavier.com.  





-

Friday, October 23, 2015

The World's Most Enlightening Region


I had the privilege of previewing this outstanding documentary while it was still in the production stages. Dr. Xavier presented the film last week at the Parliament of the World's Religions. He is showing it in Birmingham Sunday, October 25 at the Vestavia Hills Library. There will be a showing at 1:15 p.m. followed by discussion led by Dr. N.S. Xavier. There will then be a  second showing at 3:15 p.m.

Friends of Jung-South has issued this announcement of the event:



The World's Most Enlightening Region

a documentary film presentation
with 
N. S. Xavier, M.D.


Dr. Xavier is a long standing member and supporter of FOJ-S and we congratulate him on this documentary film achievement. His film has been selected for showing at the 2015 Parliament of World Religions, a meeting of 10,000 people from 80 countries, representing 50 religious and spiritual traditions. We are pleased to post this announcement of the film's showing in Birmingham.
Vestavia Hills Library

Sunday afternoon, October 25 at 3:15 pm




This film explores the peaceful transformation of extremism among several world religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism and Islam, in the small region of Kerala, India.



The film addresses the historical, cultural, philosophical and psychological factors involved in this great example of fostering the heart of humanity...and a culture of conscience in which the concept of non-violence is rooted.


N.S. Xavier, M.D., originally from India, has integrated spirituality in his psychiatric practice in the U.S. for 36 years. He is an author endorsed by scholars in the religious and mental health fields and Nobel Peace Laureates Elie Wiesel and Oscar Arias. His books are "The Two Faces of Religion," "The Holy Region," and "Fulfillment Using Real Conscience." He lectures on Spirituality and Medicine and also Peace Studies at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He has spoken in national and international forums and produced the documentary "The World's Most Enlightening Region."

Addendum: While this event is past, you may watch the full documentary on YouTube at https://youtu.be/lumfQ130Tws



-