My teacher, An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes, wrote today on his blog about the ancient metaphor of the mandala, which helps us view four kinds of power in life and four roles you can play as you build your personal legend. Go read his blog,, then come back here.

In the sacred mandala, each of the four gates of the fortress are guarded by a single powerful protector character. That character is a symbol of our own potential to manifest in that form. An-Shu Hayes gives examples in the running of a professional martial arts school.

The protectors in the mandala are assisted by many attendants who take on tasks in the service of the greater vision. The attendants and helpers surround the main character and provide support because they so believe in the big vision. The main protector in turn serves the attendants by providing inspiration and a source of power.

In a professional martial arts school, these helpers are the students. Just as we have roles we play as owners of the dojo, our students naturally support us according to their interests and talents. Extending An-Shu's four roles...

1.) Cultural helpers assist the Whip-cracker by guarding the standards of behavior in the dojo. They politely insist that all students do their best to show up on time, in clean uniforms, and with good attitudes. By role-modeling correct martial arts student behavior, and occasionally making an appropriate private comment to other students, they maintain the professional atmosphere of the school from the student perspective. These senior students are invaluable in letting the Whip-cracker focus on bigger policy and business issues than policing students.

2.) Coaching helpers assist the Warrior by getting out on the mat as perfect uke, momentum building cheerleaders, and energy-raising advocates for a powerful, meaningful, and safe To-Shin Do experience. They politely insist that everyone has a good time and learns to the best of their ability. These enthusiastic students are invaluable in allowing the Warrior to display their deepest and most brilliant martial instruction.

3.) Creative helpers assist the Wonderer by contributing new ideas for classes, events, and training opportunities. They politely insist that student voices become a part of the Wonderer's musings, and contribute a fountain of new ideas for the Wonderer to consider. These insightful students are invaluable in keeping the Wonderer in touch with what students want.

4.) Community helpers assist the Welcomer to get the word out, through their contacts in the community and their ability to communicate the benefits of the training from their very personal perspective. They politely insist that all people hear about the incredible community that they enjoy. These connected students are invaluable in helping the Welcomer access new audiences and maintain the energy and momentum needed to bring new students in.

Sure, the four main characters can operate a dojo without the four attendants, but their time is split in that case between day-to-day concerns and the larger strategic battles. Assistants free up the heroic central figure to focus on the tasks that they are uniquely talented to perform. The attendants or helpers enjoy their contribution, and all benefit from the right person in the right role.