Additional Observations on Roles

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Additional Observations on Roles

BY DAVE GREGG

This article is intended to be a supplement to the material already presented on this site regarding the Roles. It is by no means a comprehensive survey of the subject.

The Server

It has never been a secret in the spiritual community that service to others is the fastest road to evolution. It is of little surprise then that the role of Server comprises the highest percentage of the world's population.

Servers are practical, competent, and productive workers who perform a valuable service for us all -- they fulfill our needs. Placing the needs of others before their own, the Server takes care of us, and in so doing, starts a domino effect that honorably assists in meeting the needs for all of humanity.

Rarely seeking the limelight, Servers love to work behind the scenes and inspire us on a one to one level. They are charitable people who are quick to take on the problems of others if they feel it will ease any suffering. Generally reserved in nature, Servers are not prone to wild behavior or extreme exaggeration, instead seeking those "simple pleasures for simple folks." Historically the Server might have been best exemplified in the biblical quotation "the meek shall inherit the earth." But possibly the greatest tribute to the humble Server was accorded by the American composer, Aaron Copland, in his composition, "Fanfare for the Common Man."

Excelling in any of the service occupations, Servers make good doctors, nurses, teachers, diplomats, and have become indefatigable workers in the retail industry. Servers instinctively know they are gifted in the area of meeting the needs of others, and therefore can feel frustrated if they are not allowed to serve. There is a similarity with the King in the fact that Servers like to "control" a situation, or be in charge of how our needs should be met. It is not unusual then to see a Server adopt a "my way or the highway" attitude if they are not allowed to call the shots in situations related to their services. Frustrated Servers can become angry, or in worst case scenarios, highly manipulative or combative if they are not allowed to control what they feel they do best. In domestic settings, Servers will often secretly brood if their services are unappreciated, lending credence to the stereotypes of lonely, downtrodden housewives so often swept under the societal rug.

Generally sweet in nature and self-effacing in their work, Servers are somewhat disengaged when expressing emotional connections, choosing to demonstrate their love for us by doing things that once again, fulfill our needs. For anyone who has had a Server parent, they know that during childhood their creature comforts were lovingly provided; dental appointments were never forgotten; a favorite refreshment or candy bar was always waiting in the refrigerator after school; and despite heated objections, it was a given that we could expect parental escort to social events during those tumultuous adolescent years. Some of us might wish such parental restrictions had not been so rigidly enforced, and this leads to speculation regarding the percentage of children with Server parents who grew up later to have Stubbornness as a Chief Feature. Of course, there are other roles and combinations of overleaves that can contribute to the creation of the controlling parent, but control will always be an issue for the Server.

Another by-product of the Server parent is that excessive doting and attention can lead some children to grow up thinking their needs will always be met. The well intentioned Server can so effectively shield the child from the realities of the world that the child later struggles in adulthood when faced with issues of self-sufficiency and independence.

Regardless, it's important to cherish the Server for the well intentioned work they do, and try to avoid the natural inclination to take advantage of their services. Servers can easily start to feel like doormats after awhile, and with their unquestioning willingness to take of care of both our physical and spiritual needs, it is little wonder they have so often been victimized or enslaved by the occasionally less than scrupulous predators that enjoy preying on such noble intentions. Servers are beautiful beings that deserve much praise and gratitude for the wonderful contributions they give to society, and the world.

The Priest

The caring and enthusiastic inspiration of the Priest lovingly challenges us to seek fulfillment and evolution in our lives. Priests have an uncanny way of making us unafraid of the things that scare us, and they help us face our fears with optimism and a greater resolve.

Priests instinctively feel compassion for others, and this compassion can sometimes be seen as a loving light that seems to radiate from their faces. When a Priest gazes into your space, it's almost as if they can see into the deepest reaches of your soul; effortlessly reaching inside of you if they wanted, and healing wounds you didn't even realize existed. Priests seemingly have this natural ability to make connections with people that no other role can emulate.

Natural healers, Priests have a special gift for channeling huge amounts of healing energy. In this regard, the mere act of being in the presence of a Priest can sometimes be highly therapeutic. Genuinely warm and nurturing, Priests are passionately interested in the spiritual growth of their subjects, and can therefore be masterful in inspiring people to step beyond their own self-imposed limitations to embrace life more fully.

When operating from an enlightened position, Priests are indeed beautiful people, inside and out. With their characteristically energetic sense of mission in life, they can inspire us to reach for ever greater aspirations and potentials. In the Cardinal position of the Inspiration Axis, Priests are naturally at home in front of large groups of people, and can single handedly draw a spellbound crowd into profound levels of emotional awakening, whether it be for spiritual enlightenment or to invade a foreign country during the Crusades. Consequently, the Priest can also become so blinded by their talents that they grow arrogant due to the frequent attention they receive. This can result in the Priest irresponsibly believing their choices and beliefs are the only right ones. Indeed, in their darker polarities, Priests can evangelize inappropriately and without solicitation, view disbelievers as heretics, and in worst case scenarios, distort accepted versions of reality until they enter psychologically disturbing regions of insanity.

A high frequency role, Priests may experience difficulty grounding. This can sometimes lead to obsessive patterns of sexual behavior in a subconscious effort to be more in the body. Such sexual outlets do not normally come from a place of shared intimacy, and the other partner might soon feel frustrated. Priests can also cause annoyance due to the high level of moral conduct they expect from others. Righteous indignation can certainly be a by-product of this kind of behavior, and the Priest will suffer the condemnation of their peers until they learn that these displays of superiority are not conducive towards raising the consciousness of their subjects.

Overall, Priests are emotional, high spirited, and brimming with energy, and they approach life with determination and purpose. Priests are truly on a mission. They are usually late to bed and early to rise, and rarely does a day go by when they don't find a way to either improve themselves or the people around them. This can lead some Priests to become run down from the unwavering intensity of their zeal. Although they may grow impatient with those who seem hopelessly stuck in the self-inflicted sands of inertia, the hallmark of the Priest is still compassion, and if we only learn to listen to their healing words and utopian visions, that shining star that has seemed so impossible for us to reach might one day become attainable.

The Artisan

Spontaneous, innovative, and imaginative, the prodigious Artisan is undoubtedly one of the more creative roles, while also being the most eccentric. Viewing life as just one big canvas for their creative offspring, Artisans can often slip into delusional worlds that bear little resemblance to reality. For this reason, Artisans must stay grounded in the world, and try to avoid this natural penchant for being a bit scattered.

With five inputs to manage, the Artisan's focus in the world can be omni-directional, like an oscillating fan that sends a flow of air in many directions, never diverting its attention for too long in one spot. This has led more grounded roles to say about the Artisan: "Is anybody home?" But the sometimes airy, decentralized demeanor of this fluid role should not so easily be dismissed. Artisans are very clever people who frequently use their talents to excel in the fields of mathematics, engineering, computer programming, the fine arts, literature, or quantum physics. In fact, in the school of Philosophy, it was an Artisan who invented the idea of democracy.

Artisans often possess an inventive, make-the-most-of-what's-available style of creativity that allows them to create remarkable things out of a limited amount of resources. If they metaphorically can't get a table out of their resources, they'll be quite happy to get a chair, or perhaps a small toy. Artisans also have an innate curiosity for how things are put together, from the tallest skyscraper to the sub-atomic particle. And if they aren't applying their expressive abilities in the sciences or the arts, Artisans can be equally content as master carpenters, auto mechanics, or in one of the other technical fields. In the arena of sports, it is also not surprising to discover many great baseball players are Artisans; the geometric principles of the game seems to fascinate them.

On an introspective level, Artisans are often the moodiest of the roles. In a depressed state, an Artisan can join a gathering of people and be like an ominous cloud that blocks the sun, leaving everyone affected by the shadow. Conversely, a joyous Artisan can almost instantly change a roomful of sour dispositions with the magical quality of a rose that blooms in the snow; altering the ambience of the room with enthusiasm and good cheer. Artisans can literally influence the ambient area around them, and it seems their creative energy is not only contained to their inner worlds, but to the outer one as well. The moody Artisan is also the most likely candidate for being the craziest of all the roles.

Physically, Artisans are often described as being "cute," and typically have soft-round faces. In his book, "The Journey of Your Soul," author Shepherd Hoodwin describes Artisan females as "adorable or beautiful in a Marilyn Monroe kind of way", and males are described as being the stereotypical "pretty boy," rather than the more "rough hewn" kind of male often associated with the role of the Warrior. Of course, not all Artisans will be beautiful or even cute, but many of the fashion models currently enjoying wide spread popularity are indeed Artisans.

Being an Ordinal role, the Artisan is generally not comfortable in large groups of people, gravitating to the intimacy of the one on one connection. Artisans greatly value their alone time, especially when their creative juices flow and there is a new and exciting project at hand. Artisans love their projects, and these creative excursions can actually keep them healthy, according to Michael. A bored, frustrated, or blocked Artisan will always find ways to be creative, even if it means creating an interesting disease.

Day to day living is often a bore for the Artisan, who delights in being a conoiseurre of anything novel in life, leaving the monotonous grind of the 9-5 workplace to other roles that crave the responsibility and inherent demands of such an existence. Often so fiercely innovative and ahead of their time that they find themselves in stark contrast with the rest of society, Artisans can feel out of touch with the world, and simply drop out of circulation. Even for Artisans who contribute and adhere to more productive lifestyles, there's often a random sense of order in the way they focus on projects, and usually their world is littered with a confusing array of unfinished projects, sometimes literally strewn everywhere. Of course, where the Artisan might see this type of system as being completely logical and ordered, other roles might be completely baffled by this seemingly unordered approach to life.

Whether as artists, writers, actors, craftsman, engineers, composers, surgeons, carpenters, or philosophers, Artisans can make almost anything a canvas for their creative explorations, and in their own unique and inventive way, their inspiration and creativity makes the world a better place.

The Sage

Sages are the wordsmiths of the world. They are the great communicators, and masters of verbal expression that in a characteristically fun-loving way, awaken us to the possibility of insight and wisdom. It's been humorously suggested that the Sage must not only have the last word, but the last 50,000. There may be some truth in this over exaggerated bit of levity, but as we shall learn, there is much more to the Sage than just the proverbial bag of wind.

The Sage is truly gifted at collecting and disseminating unique information that can make a difference in our lives. Natural performers, they have the remarkable ability to capture our attention, and simultaneously entertain us while they tickle our minds with valuable knowledge. Such gifts make them superb teachers, and their unparalleled skills at communication help them realize success as actors, authors, and speakers. Sages also have a natural affinity for humor, and can be outstanding comedians, with a special flair for the outrageous and the absurd.

If there is a common thread that links most Sages, it might be their natural inclination to teach. Although wise and perceptive, a Sage's brand of teaching need not be formal or suffer from the stale reek of academia. Important lessons can be taught through the use of satire, humor, or playful banter. As educators, Sages will sometimes delude themselves into believing everything they say is true, but if they simply remember to use the default wiring that allows them to touch life lightly, they can be the greatest of teachers.

Sages can also excel at bending the truth. In their darker mode, they can be masters of deceit, manipulating and distorting the facts to suit their own self interests. Used car salesmen come to mind, or those oily $500 an hour lawyers we just love to hate.

Humorously, in the negative pole of Oration, Sages can be like human flycatchers, with mouths perpetually open as they pummel their victims with an endless barrage of tornado-like verbiage. The path of destruction left during the wake of such Sage-inspired word rubble rarely leaves room for a rebuttal. Thus, it appears an unwritten law in the Universe might be: Never argue with a Sage!

As revealed, Sages can be great "drama queens." Loving to be the center of attention, Sages have been known to occasionally throw tantrums with the histrionic intensity reminiscent of a Messiah being nailed to a cross. It seems the consummate acting talents of the Sage will not be denied, and this can be one of the greatest challenges for them. Sages tend to metaphorically live life on stage, performing and basking in the applause from their audience rather than living with an intention to communicate and make connections with others. This strong need for being in the public eye can sometimes be their shortcoming when it comes to addressing the needs of others. Sometimes Sages are just too wrapped up in their own soap operas.

Despite these shortcomings, Sages are just plain fun, and they never cease to amaze us with their taste for aesthetics and the artistic sensibilities they bring to all endeavors. With their sparkling wit, theatrical flair, and a seemingly endless reservoir of fascinating stories, Sages can entertain those around them for hours on end. Colorful, scintillating, expressive, charming, perceptive, dynamic, and rarely boring, Sages stand out in the crowd. Whether they choose to be outrageous or informative, the Sage is an insightful emissary of the human condition, masterfully bridging playfulness with wisdom. They may try to claim center stage, but then again, the Sage has something to say.

Warrior

Productive, organized, and grounded, Warriors are the "movers and shakers" in society that get things done. Superb strategists and goal setters, Warriors know what they want, and how to get it. The world is seemingly theirs to explore, and all uncharted territories theirs to conquer.

Although as a rule they are not excellent communicators, Warriors have an inherent sense of "street smarts" in their wiring that makes them a perfect fit for achieving success on the physical plane. In fact, it might have been the Warrior that said: life is a game, you play to win."

The most physical of all the roles, Warriors thoroughly enjoy the pleasures of earthly existence, having strong appetites for sex, food, sports, and meeting the challenges associated with success. Warriors are intensely in touch with their physicality, and tend to display strong, muscular bodies, or at the very least, solid ones. When they play, they play hard, and in physical interactions with other roles, they must be mindful of their strength, and be careful not to accidentally injure those around them. The instinctive drive of the Warrior will soften as they progress in Soul Age, but their inherent love of being physical will remain a constant.

Emotional and hot tempered at times, Warriors can be brutally blunt and even abrasive. Their intimidating physical presence can lead them to take advantage of the weak, and use excessive force to get their own way. A common misconception for some Warriors is that might makes right. They must avoid the inclination to push people around, or like a guard dog, be unduly suspicious of those that enter their territory.

Warriors love a good challenge, but can sometimes waste valuable energy fighting too many windmills, and lose the ability to discriminate between what's important. A copy of the bestseller, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff," might be a good present for the Warrior, but it's doubtful they would read it -- they are usually too busy.

"What's the bottom line?" might very well be the mantra of the Warrior. They are quick to cut through the fat of any situation and assess its merits. Whether it be at Gettysburg or the conference room of a huge corporation, Warriors are the fearless foot soldiers who will go to the front line in any battle; yet, they can surprisingly have a soft side that's both maternal, and nurturing. They are also very protective of their loved ones, and can be incredibly loyal as a friend or spouse. In fact, as Warriors progress in maturation and comfortably slip into that proverbial rocking chair, peacefully viewing the world as Old Souls, their edge and instinctive drives begin to disappear, and an earthy kind of wisdom and sweetness sets in.

The King

The Scholar

Knowledgeable, detail oriented, and innately curious, Scholars are the librarians of the Universe. They methodically collect, and transcribe the genetic code of existence so nothing is ever forgotten. Like walking Encyclopedia Britannica's of the human experience, they record life in both its positive and negative faces, teaching us about the triumphs and failures in the world, and how we can best learn from them.

Scholars are sponge-like in the way they record the events around them, and can sometimes be indiscriminate in the experiences they choose to absorb. The rule of thumb with most Scholars then is they are willing to try anything at least once. This can lead to rather unpleasant circumstances at times, but experience is the modus operandi of the Scholar, and sometimes irregardless of the outcome, just having the experience is considered a mission accomplished for the Scholar.

A new exploration for the Scholar can be like a quest for the Holy Grail. Scholars are typically unrelenting in obtaining virginal sources of information, either through the process of intellectual inquiry or actual hands-on experience. Either way, the Scholar will not give up until they have completely absorbed a new area of interest, and they will continue in pursuit of these forbidden fruits of knowledge until they have thoroughly and metaphorically tasted everything they have to offer. For instance, some Scholars might devote an entire lifetime to a particular study. A drug addict might indeed be a Scholar methodically assimilating the experience and adding it to his growing library of past life knowledge. On the surface this may not seem like the most productive way to gain information, but for the Scholar, there is no substitute for hands on experience.

On the downside, Scholars can become so bookish in their approach to collecting information that they don't speak from hands on experience, but from theory. It is of little surprise then to find a Scholar who can write a fifty page dissertation on the harmonic approaches used by jazz soloists, but when asked to demonstrate that knowledge firsthand, it is discovered the Scholar can't even crack a note on a musical instrument. It's also the Scholar who can give a lengthy pontification on the art of hanging drywall, but when asked to assist in the task, he might be hard pressed to even hammer a nail straight. These are all humiliating episodes for the Scholar, and most soon learn that vicariously collecting their knowledge through the reading of books alone is a poor substitute for first hand experience.

Scholars are naturally attracted to the information professions, and the growing technology that has made the information highway so widely available lately via the Internet is an enticing form of eye candy for them.

Normally more reserved in expression than the other roles, Scholars possess a unique sense of detachment that makes them excellent mediators, in addition to providing them with the neutrality necessary to relate well with all kinds of people. Generally non-confrontational and relaxed, Scholars are grounded and reliable. While their obsession with sometimes useless facts can be an occasionally daunting aspect of their personality, they make huge contributions to the collective by fearlessly trying things others don't want to do. In an ever diligent and methodical manner, Scholars are the very scribes of humanity.

Sources: The Message From Michael books. By Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. The Journey of Your Soul - By Shepherd Hoodwin. Michael: The Basic Teachings - By Aaron Christeaan, JP Van Hulle, and M.C. Clark. The World According to Michael - By Joya Pope. The various books by Jose Stevens, and personal observations of family members, friends, and fellow Michael students.

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Dave Gregg is a longtime Michael student and the webmaster of MichaelTeachings.com. During the day he works on a gazillion projects online, and at night you'll find him at a local jazz club playing the saxophone.