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Raja Begum
Unregistered User
(12/15/01 3:00 pm)
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Understanding the SRF Temperament
Hello Friends.... Last month I left an article for you to ponder: "Too Bad if You're Not Our Type! -- SRF Guardians."

For those new to this system, there are 4 temperament categories with mutually exclusive perspectives on the world, on life, on how to live life. David Keirsey, in his book "Please Understand Me II" calls these types Artisans, Guardians, Idealists, and Rationals.

In the aforementioned post I described the Guardian temperament which is the prevailing mindset of the SRF organization. The center gravity in which all our major issues with SRF constellates is a polarization of temperament. All of us ---- ex-monastics and disenfranchised lay-disciples --- have felt radiated out of SRF, suspecting even that we've been the victims of a tacit but conscious agreement among the Senior leadership to purge nonconformists out of the organization. I think its high time to understand these crafty conspirators the way Sun Tzu would have us studying an opponent in battle. To put it bluntly: SRF has rapidly degraded into an organization of segregation and narrow-minded intolerance, and we need to do something about it.

Paramahansa Yogananda is a universal being. His message embraces the diveristy of humanity. However, our SRF, the institution built with our own guru's own sweat and blood, has become dangerously lopsided. The Senior leadership ---- almost completely Guardian -- has transformed our guru's universal movement into a limiting reflection of their own temperament. Indeed, in 200 years Master will not recognize the work! In fact, I doubt he could recognize it now!

If I've caught your attention thus far, stay tuned. I'm going to be posting a lot of information about the folks on the hill....

Raja Begum
Unregistered User
(12/15/01 3:22 pm)
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SRF's Current Typology
Visualize SRF as if it were an individual. What are its most conspicuous characteristics?

a) introverted? or b) extraverted?
a) concrete? or b) imaginative?
a) impersonal? or b) empathic?
a) structured? or b) spontaneous?

How many of you chose the letter "a" for each question? Most people do when taking this quiz. SRF is introverted, conctrete, impersonal, and structured. Kiersey calls this type the ISTJ Guardian "Inspector." Some typologists also describe this type as introverted, sensing, tough-minded, and judging.

In this post, I'm withholding commentary. I just want you to read and contemplate the following descriptions of the INTJ "Inspector" as quoted from David Keirsey's book "Please Understand Me II"...


Quote:
"These inspectors are earnest and attentive in their inspecting; to be certified as right and proper, all must go under their scrutiny, so that no irregularities and discrepancies are let go by."

"...inspecting the people and things in their jurisdiction -- quietly seeing to it that uniform quality of product is maintained, and that those around them uphold certain standards of attitude and conduct."

"These hard-nosed and silent Guardians have a distaste for and distrust of fanciness in speech, dress and place. Their words tend to be simple and down home, not showy or high-flown; their clothes are often homespun and conservative rather than of the lastest fashion; and their home and work environments are usually neat, orderly, and plain, rather than up-to-date or luxurious."

"Most often reporting to higher authorities, Inspectors tend to work behind the scenes, only rarely having to confront others with their findings."

"At work, they are apt to see the company picnic or holiday office party as a necessary nuisance, but are likely to enjoy those events once they arrive and loosen up a bit."

"As administrators, they are patient with their work and with procedures within an institution, although not always patient with the individual goals and unauthorized behavior of some people in that institution."

"These Inspectors are comfortable when people know their duties, follow the guidelines, and operate within the rules -- rules are there to be followed, they say, not gotten around for personal reasons."

"For their part ISTJ's will see to it that goods are inspected and schedules are kept, that resources will be up to standard and delivered when and where they are supposed to be. And they would prefer that everyone's attitudes and actions be this law-abiding."

"They can be adamant about the need for rule-compliance in the workplace, and do not hesitate to report irregularities to the proper authorities."

"In orientation they tend to be fatalistic, pessimistic, and stoical as they guard the gateways and look to yesterday."

"They base their self-image on being seen as dependable, beneficient, and respectable."

"...interest in thoroughness, detail, legality, standard procedures, and orderly flow of materiel."


Fitting isn't it?

The designated monker -- "Mother Center" -- implies an organization who is the parent and whose members are its children. So let's see what Keirsey says about ISTJ "Inspector" parents....


Quote:
"In their parenting role, Inspectors are firm and consistent in handling their children; they make the rules of the family clear and expect them to be followed. A rebellious, non-conformist child may have a difficult time with an ISTJ parent, and visa versa."

"Inspectors care about passing along their work ethic to their children, and will often require them to help with household chores and projects. They patiently teach their children basic home maintenance skills, cooking, gardening, carpentry --- time-consuming activities which sometimes leave them little opportunity to play with their children. The Inspector child is apt to be obedient and a source of pleasure to parents and teachers."



I hope this stimulates discussion. When I have another free moment, I will endeavor to prove how this prevailing mindset has created a climate of alienation which can adversely affect the growth and individuation of other temperament types.

Raja Begum
Unregistered User
(12/15/01 6:43 pm)
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More about SRF's Typology -- ISTJ Weaknesses
According to the book "Do What You Are" by Paul Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger, the ISTJ (SRF Organization) is culpable of the following work related weaknesses...


Reluctance to embrace new, untested ideas

Discomfort with or resistance to change

Impatience with processes that take too long

Unwillingness to focus on future needs at the same time as present ones

Inflexibility; inability or unwillingness to adapt when necessary

Inability to focus on "the big picture" and see the implications of actions

Lack of sensitivity as to how people will be affected by policies and decisions

Reluctance to change directions and shift gears when warranted

Unwillingness to instigate or support needed change and calculated risks


...The author's final advice to ISTJ's is " The secret of success for an ISTJ is learning to be open to possibilities, consider implications for people, and embrace change."

Listen up oh "Mother of Compassion"!!!!

AumBoy
Registered User
(12/15/01 7:21 pm)
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Re: More about SRF's Typology -- ISTJ Weaknesses
Wasn't this change some of what the Spiritual Life Committees were doing?

Raja Begum
Unregistered User
(12/18/01 1:00 am)
Reply
Links
For more information on Temperaments, click on the following links....

The ISTJ "Inspector" Guardian

The Guardian

Keirsey Temperament Website

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