8 9 1 7 6 3 2 5 4 Introduction to the Enneagram Journeying together in community
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 8 Gut 9 1 7 2 Head 6 3 Heart 5 4
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 Leader 8 Mediator 9 1 Reformer Enthusiast 7 2 Helper Loyalist 6 3 Acheiver Observer 5 4 Artist
At their worst Bully 8 Passive-Aggressive 9 1 Critic Distracted 7 2 Manipulator Coward 6 3 Liar Hoarder 5 4 Depressive
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