What is the Enneagram
An enneagram is any nine-point shape that was originally defined by the Sufi tradition of sacred geometry. The most renown Enneagram systems the Sufi's devised was an Enneagram of the Passions, which can be applied in the description of human beings.
The nine enneagram types serve as road maps for personal growth. They clarify the intentions underlying human behavior by investigating our unconscious motivations as human beings. The identification of these motivations, or patterns, allows the individual to choose behaviours that will aid them in the evolution process, lessening their suffering and allowing the elimination of developed neurotic patterns.
The Nine Types
The enneagram system is based on an initiate tradition that began in the east, each type drawing parallels with 9 of the 10 original sins (otherwise known as ‘passions’) as described in Christianity (the 7 Deadly Sins were popularised in Dante's model of hell, after the revisions to the list made by Pope Gregory in the 4th century). In regard to the Enneagram, the ‘passions’ are thought to be the emotional shadow of an individual stemming from early emotional life, and form the basis of emotional habits developed in the fall from grace into the material world.
Each type has its own path to psychological and spiritual freedom, and distinctly different coping mechanisms for relating to self, others and the environment.
The nine types include:
- The Reformer
Fear: Being evil
Want: To be good and have integrity
Ones are focused perfectionists and purposeful. - The Helper
Fear: Being unwanted or unloved
Want: To feel wanted and loved
Twos are caring people pleasers who are generous and can be possessive. They give to get, are empathetic, service-oriented, flattering and like to play the rescuer. - The Achiever
Fear: Being worthless
Want: To be worthwhile
Threes typically want to be desired and impress others. They are image-oriented, accomplished and efficient performers. - The Individualist
Fear: Having no identity
Want: To be significant
Fours are very keen to express their individuality and tend to be dramatic and self-indulgent. They are self-absorbed, sensitive and creative. - The Investigator
Fear: Being incapable
Want: To feel capable and possess knowledge
Fives are quite intense and innovative. They need to understand their environment and can seem eccentric and isolated. They are often noncommittal, secretive, deliberate, reflective loners. - The Loyalist
Fear: Being unsupported
Want: To feel secure
Sixes are seen as being suspicious and self-doubting. They are responsible, opinionated, community-oriented and moral. - The Enthusiast
Fear: Being in pain
Want: To have their needs met and to be content in life.
Sevens are quite extroverted and impulsive. They can be spontaneous and scattered, seeking the next thrill. Seven’s are analytical, entertaining, self-indulgent and visionary. - The Challenger
Fear: Being out of control - being controlled by others.
Want: To be in control of their life and future
Eights are very self-confident and can be confrontational, as they strive to control their environment and others. They can be sadistic, aggressive, rebellious, dominant and exhibitionistic. - The Peacemaker
Fear: Conflict, separation
Want: To have peace of mind and keep the peace with others
Nines are very trusting and supportive of others, though often abandon their own needs to avoid conflict. They are generous, distracted, habit-bound, and prone to procrastination on their own behalf.
Know Your Enneagram Type, Know Yourself
Many people find it a relief when they are typed by the Enneagram as they are finally able to recognise where their neurotic aspects of their personality stem from. As a result, they are able to change the neurotic patterns of behavior that they dislike that they previously thought unchangeable.
Know Others Through the Enneagram
Each of the nine personality types lives by a different set of values that influence their way of being in the world. They like and dislike different things, differ in opinion on what is right and wrong, and have different expectations and needs of others in their lives.
The personality types of the enneagram give us a template that allows us a great understanding of the ‘other’, opening up the possibility for clearer communication and compassion.
Other Benefits
Other benefits you may experience in identifying your enneagram type and the type of those around you include:
- A greater understanding of the motivation of others and yourself.
- Improved communication in your relationships.
- Resolution of problems in relationships.
- Increased support to the healing process in identifying the core of self-destructive behaviours and habits.
- Increased self-esteem through the elimination of self-defeating thinking or acting.
- Increased clarity of goals and drive to attain them.
- Increased spirituality.
