‘The Ocean Within’ is an enlightening and mind-triggering work by Binh Ngolton. He is a self-proclaimed philosopher who is also a passionate practitioner of meditation. His insights dive extensively into the field of psychology as well as the human condition. ‘The Ocean Within’ offers a comprehensive psychological framework and provides a unique insight into a variety of important concepts. These concepts include the universal circle of needs, the rationality behind emotions, the insidious nature of sex drive, the art of meditation, and the key re-evaluation of one’s identity and values. The reader will be equipped with the practical information and tools necessary to improve mental health, whether it be for themselves or to support others, as a result of these principles that are interconnected. By engaging in in-depth contemplation, we have the potential to acquire the necessary understanding to unearth the fundamental reasons behind our difficulties and effectively handle them, as enhancing our mental well-being and assisting others who are important to us. Through the use of this book, we are able to take a significant step toward a more positive future and a healthier mind.

Dr. Binh Ngolton is a professional child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who is board-certified and a writer who is excited about the opportunity to assist patients in achieving an optimal level of mental health. As the author of the book ‘The Ocean Within’, he makes the reader understand about human nature and ourselves in achieving mental well-being. We are continually dealing with challenging difficulties as human beings, and we are concerned about receiving an incorrect diagnosis. He introduces strategies that seek to achieve a complete knowledge of the individuals in order to arrive at an appropriate treatment for immediate management. Furthermore, we are cautious of the notion that the psychiatric approach is to just throw drugs at the symptoms. Because the difficulties are only being controlled to a limited extent, we are concerned about the possibility of taking an increasing number of medications while the underlying problems are not being acknowledged or treated. Personalised psychotherapy, evidence-based medication management, and detailed system reviews are all components of compassionate care that the reader can receive through the use of this book. 

The book The Ocean Within offers us a fresh and uplifting perspective on who we are as individuals. Here, Dr. Ngolton presents the “Circle of Needs,” which is a useful concept and system that is not overpowering and is extremely easy to understand. Within the pages of this book written by Dr. Ngolton, we are presented with the opportunity to learn how to attain that inner calm in our everyday life. The key pressures that disrupt our mental well-being are discussed by him, who is a psychiatrist. He also describes how the practice of mindfulness and meditation can help us regain inner calm. The human mind is an ever-changing, multi-layered maze, and as a result, it is simple to become disoriented within it for a period of time that can last for years or even a lifetime. His observations include a wide range of topics, including the academic discipline of psychology as well as the human condition. Hence, the goal of this book is to normalise human emotions and throw more light on aspects of mental health so that we may become more aware of how to manage them and feel more at ease doing so. 

Through his book ‘The Ocean Within: Understanding Human Nature and Ourselves to Achieve Mental Well-Being,’ Dr. Binh Ngolton provides a moving illustration of the utmost significance that mental health plays in each and every one of our lives. He sheds light on the ways in which our comprehension of human nature is closely intertwined with our efforts to foster mental well-being by means of perceptive analysis and compassionate exploration. He emphasises that mental health is not simply the absence of illness but rather a dynamic state of emotional resilience and psychological thriving. Dr. Ngolton pushes for a holistic approach to well-being that takes into account both the complexities of the mind and the interconnections of our experiences. He explores the complexities of human psychology and behaviour in order to support this kind of approach. In the end, he leads readers to a more profound comprehension of themselves and the way to a life that is more satisfying by emphasising the role of self-awareness, empathy, and self-care in the process of fostering mental well-being. 

The author skillfully exposes a social paradox that strikes a deep chord with readers: the public openness to talk candidly about physical illnesses in contrast to the frequently hidden nature of mental health issues. Dr. Ngolton describes this phenomenon in a clear and concise manner, emphasising how people are quick to share concerns about physical ailments like high blood pressure or high cholesterol but are reluctant to admit and deal with struggles with depression or anxiety, even to those closest to them. He reveals the complex web of elements affecting our mental health through moving tales and engaging studies, showing how our psychological well-being is inextricably linked to our ideas, perspectives, beliefs, moods, words, actions, and habits. With deft navigation of the intricacies of the human psyche, Dr. Ngolton illuminates the significant influence mental health has on all facets of our lives, from the ordinary to the spectacular. By doing this, he pushes readers to address the stigma associated with mental health, promoting an environment of empathy, comprehension, and acceptance that opens doors to real recovery and personal development. Readers are challenged to examine their own prejudices and perspectives as they read this engrossing book, which will ultimately help them to understand the interdependence of the mind, body, and spirit in the pursuit of holistic well-being.

The book is broken up into numerous sections, covering topics such as unravelling the strings that compel human beings, the influence of emotions, human consciousness, recommendations from a psychiatrist, and the pursuit of character, all while offering insights to better understand ourselves and humanity. He provides additional notes and insights for the readers to rethink themselves and understand reality. The manner in which Dr. Ngolton relates his personal narrative without ever coming across as superior to the reader is one of the parts of ‘The Ocean Within’ that I most admire. This book is elevated within the self-help category as a result of his level of skill and compassion for all people. He speaks with empathy and expertise. A calming and caring tone can be seen in the writing style. However, there are occasions when it becomes repetitive. Including real-life examples and tales that demonstrate how the application of mindfulness and meditation practises assisted in the recovery of Dr. Ngolton’s patients might potentially make the book a valuable resource.

As a book that projects passion, meditation and learning, it brings out the reality of the human mind and how it works according to the needs, wants and desires of individuals. As Sigmund Freud states, “The mind is like an iceberg; it floats with one-seventh of its bulk above water.” While making this statement evident, Dr. Binh Ngolton proves that “the human mind is an ever-shifting labyrinth, and therefore, it is easy to get lost in it for years or even a lifetime.”  He uses a “Lotus Stream Psychiatry Logo” to explain how the human mind works. Further, he demonstrates how mental health has a direct and significant impact on our thoughts, viewpoints, beliefs, emotions, words, actions, and routines. Our basic impulses and human emotions continue to drive us, whether we realise it or not, despite the advances we’ve made in science and technology. Dr. Ngolton narrates his own story in ‘The Ocean Within,’ never making it seem like he is better than the reader. This book transcends the self-help genre because of his knowledge and empathy for individuals.

By Shashimali De Silva