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