As a tool to help children and adults build, transform and improve their character, we have developed a list of sixty-four character qualities and present them in this workbook. Each two-page spread is divided into six sections. The first section presents a definition of the quality under discussion. The second section shares a relevant quotation from the teachings of Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. The third is a table providing three real-world examples of how that virtue can be incorporated into our life, and showing its opposite. The fourth is an assignment meant to put that quality into practice. Additionally, a link is provided to a story or other resource that illustrates the quality. Finally, a space is provided to have the reader share experiences encountered in nurturing that character quality in his or her life. There are three suggestions for how to use this material. For teenagers, we suggest focusing on one virtue for a week or two. After completing the assignment on that page, write down in the space provided your thoughts about the benefits of possessing that quality. Then move on to the next. To complete the workbook in half the time, two qualities can be tackled together.§
For adults, we suggest identifying the character qualities that would most improve your life and relationships. Then take one at a time and work on it for two weeks or more.§
For families with pre-teen children old enough to understand the concepts, the booklet can be used in a simpler way by choosing one character quality at a time, posting it in big type somewhere in the home and discussing it now and then for a few weeks. This enables parents to speak spontaneously to their children about positive habits and attitudes at select times when they are most open to their parents’ wisdom—separate from any immediate responses to less-than-perfect behavior.§
Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami
Kauai Aadheenam, Hawaii§