Journeying towards Self-Mastery

by Fr. Benjamin Bala

TESTIMONIALS

“Fr. Bala’s book speaks of one of the most challenging undertakings of our life, yet one that is essential for our own wellbeing – the journey towards self-mastery. The author coaches us, in very practical ways, to see within ourselves, to confront the obstacles that hold us back, and to embrace God’s grace to conquer the inclinations of our human weaknesses.  Throughout, we are encouraged to remain positive, trusting in Christ with whom everything is possible. In this book, Fr Bala shares with us his own journey and he brings to life many verses in Scripture that provide us insights and encouragement offered by the word of God. If you are open to the idea of your own journey towards self-mastery, this is the guide for you.” – Deacon Bob Evans, Popular Christian author and teacher of Scripture, USA

“Benjamin Bala’s moving and inspiring piece speaks of ‘self-mastery’ as ‘self-conquest.’ The moral values he encapsulates in his book match the realities of human life. Human beings, by creation and by grace, have been provided with the means to subdue and control creation (cf. Gen. 1: 28-30) beginning with oneself. Thus, the piece is an invaluable guide for all who would wish to embark on the courageous journey to self-mastery.” – Sr. Mary Jane Aririguzo, IHM, Canon Law Lecturer, Catholic Institute of West Africa, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

“This book of 40 chapters is symbolic. In the Bible, the number 40 is associated with significant landmarks – two contextually cognate ones being the periods of the journey of the Israelites to the Promised Land and Jesus’ fast. Each ended in something profound. Navigating through this book as another journey to something profound – a voyage of self-mastery. I have read this book by my mentor, and it has been a strong pillar for me especially here at Harvard where it has helped me navigate seamlessly many otherwise tough moral hills. I recommend it to all who seek life’s most important victory – self-conquest. It is a keepsake!” – Zakka Junior Emmanuel, Student of Religion, Ethics and Politics, Harvard Divinity School, Massachusetts, USA

“I read through this masterpiece by Fr. Bala, at a period I was plagued with numerous struggles and life challenges; a time when my choicest reactions to life challenges pulled me down emotionally, and I was thrown into wonder how some people manage life, unperturbed by this similar challenges of life. With the insights provided herein, I saw the need and practical means of self-improvement, taking back control of myself and making the best version of myself. In this well-written, practical, and scripturally based book on what self-mastery is, and how to start, progress and sustain the struggle, I learned a lot and it has become a handy tool for me as I continue my journey of self-improvement. I recommend this book to everyone from all spheres of life and age. I trust and believe in the efficiency of the help it offers.” – Engr. Rosemary Itoro John, Port Harcourt Refinery, Nigeria

“Fr Benjamin Bala takes on the bold subject of “self-mastery”. The book challenges us to key into our God given capacity to subdue our weaknesses, tame our excesses and subject ourselves to the disciplines that guide us toward perfection. He elaborates on the realization of our need for self-mastery, capacity to strive for self-mastery and the understanding that God’s abundant Grace is available for those determined for the struggle. He takes on the subject matter in an easy to understand and non-judgmental manner, places precept upon precept, while keeping his audience engrossed with the subject, until a firm desire is knotted to put into practice the ideas elaborated in this beautiful piece. If you desire to explore your full potentials as designed by God, this book is definitely a sure guide.” – Dr Swandy Banta, Public Servant, Emotional Intelligence Scholar, and Humanitarian Worker, Jos, Nigeria

“The author, Fr. Benjamin Bala, is a Moral Theologian per excellence. In a simple, clear, and lucid manner, he presents one of the most difficult tasks of human enterprise: The Journey Towards Self-Mastery. The book in your hands is written in a conversational and engaging way, inviting readers to participate actively in their own journey personal of growth. The path to self-mastery, he says, is a process, whereby we gradually release the mind from all limited ideas, beliefs, paradigms, and assumptions that spring from the material world. He has his own personal stories to show how to achieve this. His use of the Bible and Church Teachings prove just how knowledgeable Fr. Benjamin is in his chosen field. This book is a distinctive framework to address this important aspect of human life. It is a must read.” – Fr. Williams Abba, Former Dean of Academics, St Albert Institute, Fadan Kagoma, Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Nigeria

“In this excellent book written by an erudite writer, Fr. Benjamin Yakubu Bala, the reader is set to encounter an intellectual masterpiece laced in philosophy that is anchored in biblical perspectives. Anyone who has ever been in doubt on how to tread the dialectics of self-mastery, shall find in Journeying Towards Self-Mastery, all the necessary ingredients needed in developing the ideal man. I recommend this book to those committed to crawling out of their uninspiring past into mastering themselves in a world enmeshed in confusion and pressure of daily living.” – MUSA, Simon Reef, Journalist, Columnist, LEADERSHIP Newspapers, Nigeria

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fr. Benjamin Yakubu Bala is a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Kafanchan in Kaduna State, Nigeria. He has a PhD in Moral Theology and teaches at the Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) in Port Harcourt. His main focus is defending human life, promoting family values, and addressing moral issues in society. He has written several articles in both local and international journals.

He is also the author of Self-defence: Permissibility and Legitimacy (2020, St. Paul’s Publications), a book that explains every person’s right—and responsibility—to protect their life using morally acceptable means, based on both natural and divine law.

Fr. Bala has led retreats for future priests and lay groups, and has spoken at many conferences and workshops. In 2023, he gave the keynote talk at the General Assembly of his home diocese. He has worked in schools and parishes in Kafanchan and helped in Port Harcourt parishes while studying. He also has experience offering counseling, both in and out of the confessional, and previously served as Education Secretary for the Diocese of Kafanchan.

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