The Road to Character by David Brooks,

A Review by Rick Herrick

How do we become a moral person? How do we come to do a better job living the teachings of Jesus? These are important questions for progressive Christians; and David Brooks, the conservative columnist for the New York Times and PBS commentator, has some important answers. The Road to Character provides us with a model for moral development.

Brooks begins with an analysis of human nature. Humans have an innate tendency to be self-centered and to see themselves at the center of the universe. We overestimate our strengths, inflate our virtues, and rationalize our failures.  We compare and judge others—often unfairly. We are filled with self-importance and self-deception. These aspects of character are deeply ingrained.

It’s not a pretty picture, and modern culture reinforces these traits. It is based on achieving success, and self-expression. Self-promotion is a way of life. Humility is a forgotten virtue. A sense of self-limits is sorely lacking.

The first step in Brooks’ model is to take an honest look at who we are. We need to gain a clear understanding of our demons, our limits, and our weaknesses. Deep wounds need to be examined so that we can move beyond them. We need to question our motives which are subtle and can be quite deceiving.

I have done a fairly good job with step one. I spend fifteen or twenty each day in mindful meditation. I imagine myself sitting in a tree looking down at my day. I observe my thoughts, my behavior, feelings, and urges in a nonjudgmental fashion with the goal of understanding them. With this practice, I am able to shine a light on who I am.

Step two is the hard one. Brooks calls on us to struggle to correct the defects of character we uncover. Inner investigation without the concerted attempt to deal with these problems is a narcissistic pursuit. We need to learn to resist self-promotion. We need to impose strong self-discipline to bring our desires under control. We must learn to resist our baser impulses. We need to practice renunciation.

 We begin by taking small steps—small acts of kindness, small steps at self-control. By taking these small steps, we build habits of character. Character is like a muscle. You build it by undertaking these acts, by learning to exercise self-control.

This process of bringing the ego under control creates space for love to enter. An awareness filled with love changes us. Love softens. It rearranges and enlarges the boundaries of self. It creates a desire to live a life of goodness and meaning. As God’s love floods into the space provided by a diminished ego, moral behavior follows.  This process allows you to focus on your higher nature. You give up living for self and learn to live for others.

The Road to Character is an important book. Brooks reminds us that our self-centered nature is deeply ingrained and that moving beyond it requires a real struggle. It’s a struggle that humans can never finally win, but with a self-disciplined effort we can make real progress. Brooks also reminds us that talk of God’s love is cheap. The real challenge is to live that love. Achieving that goal is the journey of a lifetime, but it’s a journey that according to Brooks makes all the difference.

Rick Herrick’s most recent novel is entitled A Second Chance. You can find him at https://rickherrickauthor.com.