understanding personality - greater light · limits of our personality. a map – “you are...

Introduction to the Enneagram

Journeying together in community

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A tool for transformation The Enneagram is a powerful tool for growth beyond the

limits of our personality. A map – “You are here.” Your “type”: where the traffic is heaviest Where you most usually get stuck

The Enneagram also shows the way forward. Not just a filing system for nine types of people Nine journeys of personal growth Each journey begins with “know thyself”

Where do these types come from? Nine coping strategies (compulsions) How you deal with anger, shame, and fear Necessary to navigate our way through the world Ultimately limiting

cannot take us to higher levels of spiritual growth Not bad, but not enough

Enneagram Centres

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9Gut

Hear

tHead

Three Centres

Heart Head Gut Feeling Centre Thinking Centre Action Centre

Turned Outward

Unaware Turned Inward

Turned Inward

Unaware Turned

Outward Turned

Outward Unaware

Turned Inward

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1

At their best…

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Mediator

Reformer

Helper

Acheiver

ArtistObserver

Loyalist

Enthusiast

Leader

At their worst…

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Passive-Aggressive

Critic

Manipulator

Liar

DepressiveHoarder

Coward

Distracted

Bully

Snapshots (Best and Worst) One – Reformer/Critic Two – Helper/Manipulator Three – Achiever/Liar Four – Artist/Depressive Five – Observer/Hoarder Six – Loyalist/Coward Seven – Enthusiast/Distracted Eight – Leader/Bully Nine – Mediator/Passive-Aggressive

Heart Centre Most concerned with: shame TWO: directs shame outwards How do I want others to see me?

THREE: is unaware of their shame How do I think others want to see me?

FOUR: directs shame inwards How do I see myself?

Type TWO Underlying motivation – shame, turned outwards If I help you, that proves I’m not a bad person.

Problem I see your needs. I don’t see my own. (Pride)

At worst Manipulates others by flattery and being “helpful” Help is not “free” – you’d better be grateful

Needs to know: Everything will be taken care of, including me.

At best Caring, humble, supportive, mentoring

TWOs: So nurturing…

So helpful…

So manipulative!

Type THREE Underlying motivation – unaware of their shame If I am successful, maybe you will love me.

Problem Chameleon: I’ll be who you want me to be. (Deceit) I don’t know who I am.

At worst Dishonest, more concerned with image than substance,

hung up on status Needs to know: I don’t need to earn love. I can live the truth of my own life.

At best Hardworking, skilled, creative, truthful

THREE: Hardworking

Skilled creativity

A THREE puts forward a great image

Who are you, really?

Type FOUR Underlying motivation – shame, turned inwards “I am such a unique individual. I wish more people

appreciated that.” Problem: I can’t look at my own life. I’ll wish for yours instead.(Envy)

At worst Depressive, overly dramatic, “why me?”

Needs to know: We are all connected to God. Everyone is supported.

At best Artistically expressive, emotionally warm, insightful,

balanced

FOUR: Artistic

Unique

Overdramatic

Depressive

Head Centre Most concerned with: fear FIVE: directs fear inwards How can I be safe with other people?

SIX: is unaware of their fear How can I be safe in a hostile world?

SEVEN: directs fear outwards How can I be safe by finding what is missing in my life?

Type FIVE Underlying motivation – fear, turned inwards I’ll keep myself safe by gathering everything I might need.

Problem: You are not kept safe by amassing goods and knowledge.

(Avarice/Greed) At worst Withdraws into a safe space with all their junk.

Needs to know: There is enough to go around for everyone.

At best Knowledgeable expert, objective, a “cooler head”

FIVE: A head full of ideas

A true expert

Can be withdrawn

A bit of a hoarder

Type SIX Underlying motivation – unaware of their fear I will be safe if I follow authority and serve the community.

Problem The world is an unsafe place. External authority does not change

that. (Fear) At worst Distrustful, insecure, blindly follows authority (not confident of

their own position) Need to know: God actually is on your side. You are safe. You can rely on your own

internal guidance. At best Reliable and hardworking, detail-oriented, stands on the courage

of their convictions.

SIX: Most loyal of friends

Faithful and reliable

Fearful

Often not sure what to do

Type SEVEN Underlying motivation – fear, turned outward If I keep flitting around from experience to experience, I will outrun

my fear. Problem: You’re not kept safer by trying any- and everything. (Gluttony)

At worst Flighty, fidgety, distracted (“I’ll get that job done by… …look! A bird!”)

Needs to know: The world is continually opening to us all. Be present to what is

here now. The rest will come in its own time. At best Many interests, enthusiastic, fun, joyful

SEVEN: Joyful

Interested in EVERYTHING!!!!

Tries to do too much

Distracted

Gut Centre Most concerned with: anger

EIGHT: directs anger outward How can I protect my vulnerable inside from outside threats?

NINE: unaware of anger How can I protect myself from anger (my own and others’)?

ONE: directs anger inwards How can I correct the imperfections I see inside myself?

Type EIGHT Underlying motivation – anger, turned outward I’ll push out aggressively to protect the innocent child inside

me. I’ll protect you, too. Problem: Not everything is a threat. You can’t consume the whole

world with your anger. (Lust) At worst Bully. My way or the highway.

Needs to know: There is no justice without mercy.

At best Strong, self-confident, motivating, protective of their “cubs”

EIGHT: The Boss who’s got your back

Who the EIGHT really wants to be

When things go south, look out

Type NINE Underlying motivation – unaware of their anger It’s too dangerous to be angry. I have to hide my anger (even

from me). Problem: If anger is not expressed, it gets stuck. (Acedia/sloth)

At worst Indecisive, passive-aggressive, tuned-out, low self-esteem

Needs to know: We all matter to God (even me).

At best Receives everyone, good listener, mediator, chooses

essential action

NINEs: So nice…

So laid back…

So stubborn!

Can’t get a NINE to do what they don’t want to.

Type ONE Underlying motivation – anger, turned inwards I really resent that I am the only one who sees how imperfect

everything is.

Problem: Resentment doesn’t change the reality of what is. (Wrath/Anger)

At worst Critical, resentful, judgemental (all directed most strongly at

themselves)

Needs to know: Everything is ordained for a purpose and is perfect as it is.

At best Initiates necessary change, organized, positive, gets things done

ONEs can see what needs to be done

They have great ability to organize

Sometimes the perfectionism gets out of hand

If something is not right, they’ll let you know.

The Enneagram: a valuable tool for self-understanding “The finger pointing at the moon is not the moon". The real work of personal growth: Study Self-observation Contemplative Practice Spiritual Direction/Accompaniment Mutual support Grace of God

Where to learn more about the Enneagram Courses and workshops Inscapes: http://www.inscapescanada.ca/

Books The Enneagram Made Easy (Baron and Wagele) The Essential Enneagram (Daniels and Price) The Enneagram; A Christian Perspective (Rohr and Ebert) The Wisdom of the Enneagram (Riso and Hudson) The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram (Maitri) The Sacred Enneagram (Heuertz)

Where to learn more about the Enneagram Websites The Enneagram Institute (extensive resources; Riso and

Hudson) https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/ Center for Action and Contemplation (Richard Rohr)

https://cac.org/the-enneagram-an-introduction/ Greater Light (a few posts; Bob Dueck)

https://greaterlight.ca