Man The Maker of His Own Destiny (A Book on Good Manners and Right Living)

About the Book

Knowledge, work and love help you to become a perfect human being. True knowledge is gained by an increasing awareness of the totality of your existence. From infancy, through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood you are continually involved in interpreting your experience and adjusting to reality.

You are now passing through a period of transition in your life. This is the transition from carefree childhood into the glory and ecstasy that is adolescence. This is the period when you discover new things about your body and mind functions. During this turbulent phase, you need to be well informed about the important things you have to care for; otherwise whole experience can become quite traumatic. You should remember that, in this process of personal growth, your interactions with the people around you play a very important part.

Work means the way you relate yourself to the world. It involves association with people. A man who lives among other people must behave in such a way that he does not trample on their rights. Etiquette or manners are the ways in which you have to conduct yourself with the people around you-good manners make living with people much more comfortable.

Foreword

Sri Ramakrishna Vidyashala has always striven to inculcate in its inmates good manners and the rudiments of etiquette. Students in this institution are constantly guided, through precept and practice, in the art of keeping their belongings in order and discharging their day-to-day duties sincerely and efficiently. It was the earnest desire of Srimat Swami Shambhavanandaji Maharaj, the founder President of Vidyashala to get the useful practical hints provided to students here published in the form of a handbook. Such a book was to cater to the needs of parents, .guardians and youngsters in general. This compilation on the multifarious aspects of refined social behaviour and total personality development hopes to serve as a close companion to youngsters and elders alike.

This book was first published in Kannada in 1968. The English version appeared in 1980. The present edition is a thoroughly revised and enlarged one taking into cognizance the changing socio-cultural requirements in today's complex society. It is sincerely hoped that the concepts, illustrations and anecdotes which have been garnered from varied sources to constitute this book will go a long way in enabling all sincere aspirants to become 'the makers of their destiny'.

Contents