You are likely one of these two types: Outsider, The Merchant. One reflects your dharma type, the other the Life Cycle you are in. Click on each to find out more.
The Outsider
You are an OUTSIDER. Outsiders are the Rebels of the Dharma Type family. They often grow up feeling biologically, philosophically, or culturally different from their surroundings, and sometimes have a hard time finding their own identities… who they really are. In their quest to discover themselves they may opt for tattoos, unique clothing, or behavior that effectively distinguishes them from the rest of the world. Outsiders often embrace or live in cultures different than their own.
Because they are searching for themselves, Outsiders are quick to identify with anything that personifies something they believe. From Egypt and her mysteries, to Vedic devotional chanting, Outsiders espouse ideologies that reflect the truth of their real identity. As a matter of rebellion, they often embody exotic or different beliefs in order to assert their independence from ‘normal’ people. They are masters of change, and when one identity no longer suits them, it is quickly shed for a new and better fit. From Rastafari chic to business casual, they change fashions with the seasons, all with the passion of their quest for unique self-expression.
Outsiders also excel at blending disparate entities to make a wholly new creation from their union. This is the cook who combines Asian and Western recipes to create fusion cuisine. It is the Country singer who mixes gospel and blues to create rock and roll. It is Martin Luther King bringing Gandhi and the Bhagavad Gita to bear upon the American social scene. This is the yogi who melds yoga and fitness to create a marketable new workout craze. When Outsiders can bring the experience of their eclectic backgrounds into society, they change society for good. When they simply act out and blame the world for their problems, they undermine their ability to create positive change.
Outsiders need to take full responsibility for their lives, even things that are beyond their control, such as handicaps or social injustices, and share their truth with the world. Only by taking responsibility, rather than blaming the world, can the Outsider reach to the lofty heights.
Outsiders seek freedom above all other things– the freedom to be themselves. But in order to have freedom, they must free others. Learning how to do that is a lifelong quest!
Famous Outsiders include: Antonio Banderas, David Beckham, Halle Berry, Bjork, David Blaine, Richard Branson, Yul Brynner, Tim Burton, George Carlin, Johnny Cash, Jesus Christ, Salvador Dali, Johnny Depp, Jimi Hendrix, Martin Luther King Jr., Evel Knievel, Jeddu Krishnamurti, John Lennon, Martin Scorsese, Sting, Claudia Richey, Jesse Ventura, and Denzel Washington
The Merchant
You are a MERCHANT type. The Merchant’s natural talents lie in sustaining, sheltering, and providing for the material needs of people. They work well in any profession that caters to the masses, be it in non-essential goods such as fashion and entertainment, or day to day necessities like food, hospitality, clothing, and drugs. Their natural ability to network and manage material resources also makes them masters of trade, commerce, and banking. Sales is a natural profession for Merchants, as they have the ability to evoke and shape strong emotions in others. Since most of us are led by our emotions, Merchants generate success by attaching their products to the positive feelings people want to have. This ability is also supremely useful in the entertainment industry, where Merchants excel at creating, performing, and producing popular music, art, and movies.
Merchants are the most temperamental types, and have to learn to manage their emotions if they’re to sustain good health. In extremes, they can even become manic-depressive. They have a social ease that allows them to grease the gears of society and makes them generally popular and well-liked. They also have a great feel for what’s valuable and relevant in pop culture, which makes them trendsetters. Merchants need to pay attention not to seem too glib or disingenuous. Because of their great enthusiasm they may say things that they cannot follow up on, and be perceived as bending the truth by others.
Merchants are very fond of rituals, like parties, weddings, or spiritual ceremonies. They are guardians to the most valuable things in life because they know how to attract and keep them. From the most beautiful painting, to the most beautiful vidya, or body of knowledge, they work hard to earn and hold the treasures of the world. They also know how to get the most out of their investments of time, money, and energy.
At their core, Merchants feel an emptiness that no objects can fill. This is why they hate to be alone. Ultimately, the antidote for their inner loneliness is CHARITY. Giving and filling others cures the Merchant’s emptiness by filling them with gratitude and blessing. Perhaps this is why so many Merchants turn to entertainment, where they can share their creative energy with audiences, or to philanthropy, where they donate their time and money to benefit others.
Famous Merchant personalities include: Muhammad Ali, Warren Beatty, William F. Buckley Jr., Bill Clinton, Sean Connery, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Marilyn Monroe, Sean Penn, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Oskar Schindler, and John Travolta