veD OF LORD OF RINGS:.......THE TRILOGY CONFIRMS THAT aaDH`yaat`maa (SPIRITUALITY) CAN ONLY EVOLVE LIFE INTO PROSPERITY AND HAPPINESS.....OTHERWISE IT
Posted by Vishva News Reporter on March 7, 2004

DHARm PROVIDES SUSTENANCE...
aDHARm CREATES DESTRUCTION....

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) was a major scholar of the English language, specializing in Old and Middle English. Twice Professor of Anglo-Saxon (Old English) at the University of Oxford, he also wrote a number of stories, including most famously The Hobbit (1937) and The Lord of the Rings (1954-1955), which are set in a pre-historic era in an invented version of the world which he called by the name of Middle-earth. This was peopled by Men (and women), Elves, Dwarves, Trolls, Orcs (or Goblins) and of course Hobbits.

Lord of Rings is tells the story of the eternal battle between sur (gods) and asur (anti-gods)...a story that is observed and experienced in our every day life by all of us individually and collectively.....And since the start o creation some 2.2 billion years ago, those creations who follow DHARm are sur and those who do not follow are asur....And since the start of creation those who live their life by DHARm are powered by their aat`maa (soul) which is the creator bRH`m-self and always win against asur....Recent examples of fallen asur are all those caught by the big scandals in the commercial world involving billions and billions of dollars or Hitler or Stalin, falls of mighty empires of the last 2000 years....

Lord of Rings portrays the story of DHARm and upholding DHARm....Basic rule of DHARm is never to hurt any of our fellow creations, animate or inanimate, by either words, nor thoughts nor kARm (actions)....and DHARm can only be understood by the study of science of aatmaa called aaDH`yaat`maa (SPIRITUALITY) which can be studied at this PVAF web site daily through continual postings of SCIENCES OF CREATION AND LIFE  called veD on PVAF web pages titled TODAY'S PRAYER, TODAY'S VED LESSON, VED, AASHRAM NEWS AND stsNg on MESSAGE BOARD....(preceding veD knowledge has been shared by SRii chmpklaal Daajibhaai misTRii of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)

Lord of the Rings can be seen as a powerful metaphor for any workplace in current times which gives us livelihood and supports the evolution of mankind writes RICK LASH in Canadian  Globe and MailRick Lash is a management development expert and psychologist in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Please click on the preceding red hilite or the next lien to learn from Rick Lash how to figure out which characters your colleagues may mirror sur and asur characters of Lord of Rings in your workplace....


PORTRAIT OF sur and asur AT YOUR WORKPLACE
By RICK LASH
Canadian Globe and Mail: Friday, March 5, 2004 - Page C1

It's the battle that never ends: An epic tale of a little person fighting against unimaginable power, demonstrating how sheer perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds can achieve success.

There are those so corrupted, they're almost unrecognizable, others who seem like allies but will stab you as soon as your back is turned; still others who provide support when you least expect it.

The plot of The Lord of the Rings? Or just another day at the office? Well, it could be both.

Middle-Earth isn't as far from reality as you might think. If you look hard enough, you can find great battles of good versus evil played out in the hallways and boardrooms of your organization.

The Lord of the Rings could stand as a powerful metaphor for corporate life. Take a close look at some of your colleagues and see how they fit into Middle-Earth Inc.

THE TRUE LEADER

Somewhere in your company is the person who should be in charge. He's proven himself worthy and has the support of a broad range of employees and clients. He's the leader who can help make the organization a better place and inspires others to action.

Such leaders put aside self-interest for the good of the organization and genuinely believe they have a responsibility to support the larger social good. Good leaders create organizations where the need for greater meaning and purpose at work can be realized. They encourage teamwork and the chance to be a part of something larger than ourselves.


THE TRUE LEADER CHARACTER:

Aragorn, the king in waiting who wins the confidence of the Fellowship and leads them through danger to victory. Like all great leaders, he engenders trust and allegiance, inspires hope and recognizes the average folk who truly make a difference.

THE FREE SPIRIT

Remember that colleague down in accounting who gave up that great job to pursue something she truly loved? She was the talk of the office for weeks. Why? Because we are all slightly in awe of those who have the courage to make a life-changing decision based on the heart instead of the pocketbook. Such people make choices to pursue a different life doing the work they love, rather than spend an eternity doing something that leaves them feeling empty.

THE FREE SPIRIT CHARACTER

Arwen, the elf princess who gave up her immortality for a mortal life with Aragorn. Even the elves of Middle-Earth, writes philosopher Bill Davis, knew that immortality, like doing the same job year in and year out, can get overwhelmingly boring. Arwen teaches that we all thirst for passion and meaning in our work and that from time to time we need to have the courage to find it.

THE HIDDEN ALLIES

They take forever to get to the point or make a decision. They hide in a forest of cubicles, taking care of their charges without noticing - or caring about -- what's going on around them. But when you least expect it, they provide you with the means and support to get the job done. It could be the IT specialist who can miraculously locate the file no one else can or the person in accounting who can find the obscure but critical piece of financial information you need.

THE HIDDEN ALLIES CHARACTER

The Ents, the ancient guardians of the trees. Organizational Ents, like the fictional ones, stay in the background and we miss seeing them unless we take the time to discover them. . Wander into other departments and get to know these people: You may find allies where you least expect to find them.

THE CROSS-BEARER

When was the last time you were drafted to take on a job no one else wanted to do? It may have been to champion an important but unpopular project, deliver a difficult message to your boss or inform your staff that the department is being downsized.

Taking on tough jobs is an important lesson in the power of personal accountability for any would-be leader. These are people who deeply care about their organization and worry about its future. They have a strong sense of their duty to do the right thing, even if it comes at some personal cost.


THE CROSS-BEARER CHARACTER

The hobbit Frodo Baggins, who volunteers to carry the ring of power to Mount Doom to destroy it and save the world. Who in your organization takes up the burden of trying to change the system and must bear the responsibility that comes with it?

THE HEALER

In the hectic rush of going from one meeting to the next and putting out fires, sometimes it feels that we're constantly on the battlefield with no place of refuge. But there are those in the office who offer colleagues a place of renewal and transformation -- a boss who can see your potential and takes a deep interest in your passion and future career, or a colleague you can always go to when in need of quiet reflection and renewal.

THE HEALER CHARACTER


Galadriel, the elf queen. She lives in the kingdom Lothlorien, the quiet and peaceful refuge where the Fellowship can come to rest. It is a place solitude and peace on the long journey. The Galadriels of the workplace serve to remind us of the importance of finding balance and taking the time for quiet reflection on our life goals. They can be true healers when called upon.

THE SAGE

Think back. In any organization there are the keepers of history, who remember what the organization was like years ago, and are sought out for their wise counsel. They may not be in positions of formal power but they wield their influence through the strength of their character. These are the moral and spiritual compasses of the organization. In their careers, they have faced many battles and have grown wise in the use of power. They are often mentors and have lessons to teach about life and how to navigate the corporate jungle.

THE SAGE CHARACTER

Gandalf, the wizard. Gandalf's role was to provide hope and inspiration for Middle-Earth. The right hand of Aragorn, Gandolf influenced through his collaboration with others, the power of his vision and the trust he inspired. All organizations need those who have wisdom to remind others what is truly important.

THE SABOTEUR

There are many people in organizations driven by individual recognition, money and self-interest at the expense of their co-workers, their families and friends, consumed by the fear of losing what they hold. But the ceaseless quest for power to meet one's own needs has a big price tag attached -- a loss of relationships and a sense of who we really are. How many lonely people do you see wandering the halls of your organization who once had power but lost it, and are now bitter, filled with jealousy and longing for what others have?

THE SABOTEUR CHARACTER

Gollum-Smčagol, who was corrupted by the power of the ring. Just look at what he became -- a lonely, withered, starving creature whose mind has been emptied of all but the desire to regain his "precious" and who has become a shadow of his former self. Do you sometimes see Gollum in yourself?

THE MISCHIEF MAKERS

In school, they were the class clowns. Now we have to work with them. In fact, they're quite likeable, well-meaning, and fun to be around. They are good team players and protect others to whom they are loyal.

But they often seem to be getting into trouble, more often by accident than intent. They like adventure but meddle in affairs they shouldn't, attending meetings they have no business being at or making an off-handed comment that gets you an unexpected phone call from a senior executive. Their occasional misfortunes are vastly outweighed by their desire to do the right thing, even if the road they take can cause heartburn for others every once in a while.


THE MISCHIEF MAKER CHARACTERS

The hobbits Merry and Pippin who, despite their fears of the unknown, take risks for their friends and, along the way, learn to take responsibility and earn the faith of very important people.

THE BLIND FOLLOWERS

We have met many of them in our careers -- middle and upper managers who have given themselves over completely to the organization. Now rabid followers, they do not question or challenge, carrying out the most odious orders without thought or pity. Perhaps at one time, there was a real person under the cloak but now they seem to have no identity beyond serving the powers that be. As one senior executive once shared: "This place really isn't so bad, once you get over the lobotomy."

THE BLIND FOLLOWER CHARACTER

The Ringwraiths, or Dark Riders, were once kings but they sold their souls and are now slaves to the dark power. Have you ever found yourself getting counsel from a co-worker, suggesting that the way to get ahead was to toe the company line and not rock the boat? Be careful what you bargain for. You could become one of them.

THE EVIL DOER

Like events happening in a distant land, decisions that affect us are often made by those we rarely get to see but their glowing eye of power is keenly felt. Those who lead today's global organizations wield unimaginable power and influence. With that power comes the ability control vast resources -- financial, political and human -- and the temptation to use it to dominate others and amass personal wealth. For these people, there is no debate: Power is to be used purely for their own ends.

THE EVIL DOER CHARACTER

Sauron, the evil overlord who is hunting for the ring of power to use Middle-Earth for his own greedy ends. We often need to look no further than our own organizations to find echoes of Sauron. Under such a leader, the office can begin to feel like the wastelands of Mordor.

THE TRAITOR

Can you recognize those who were once a respected member of an inner circle? Perhaps at one point in their career they were at the top of their field, respected and admired for their expertise and great accomplishments. Then they sold out, turning their backs on the values and ethics of their profession and rationalizing the changes as a new awareness of the real world. They become deeply cynical, dismissing former colleagues as naive idealists. Their behaviour, more often than not, leads them to professional ruin -- or to another unsuspecting organization -- but not until much damage has been done.

THE TRAITER CHARACTER

Saruman, formerly the leader of the White Council, he embraced the evil of Sauron but hid his conversion so he could keep tabs on what the council was planning. Once unmasked and defanged, he lost power but was still able to do great harm in other places.

THE TRUE FRIEND

There are people who delight in what they do, know their capabilities and limits and have little desire or interest in moving up the corporate ladder. Loyal and giving, they are often among the most devoted and trustworthy. They are also committed in other areas of their life as well, working for charities or perhaps coaching the local soccer team. They are interested in relationships, not because it will get them somewhere but because they genuinely delight in the company of others. They know who they are and where they belong and that knowledge keeps them from being corrupted by power and office politics.

THE TRUE FRIEND CHARACTER

Samwise Gamgee, the brave, faithful companion whose support and loyalty kept Frodo from going beyond his strength. Without Sam, the ringbearer would have failed. The Sams of the office are happy to tend their gardens but will in a moment forego their passions to help a colleague in need.

Rick Lash is a management development expert and psychologist in Toronto

 



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