Introduction to The Enneagram

Today, I am going to talk about the Enneagram.

First, let me say that I am no expert, and in order to better understand the power of the Enneagram I highly recommend, if you are interested, exploring the many resources that already exist. I will share some links at the end of this post to help you get started.

Second, the Enneagram is not something you learn once and then set to the side; it is a living and breathing process to help you better understand your motivations and how you interact with the world. It has taken me a lot of time to figure out exactly where I fall within the Enneagram, because everyone carries a different story and manifests their number in different ways. The key is to look at the motivations of each number and talk to people who love you and can help you see your patterns more clearly.

Third, please do not try to type other people or tell them who you think they are. This is a journey of self-discovery. Show people the resources and tools so they can figure it out for themselves!

The Enneagram is a journey into yourself. Are you ready?

The Enneagram

What is it?

It is an ancient tool that is broken into nine points around a circle. Each point is interconnected, and the diagram is fluid, with each number representing ways that we get lost and deal with the realities of the world. Each number is based around a core motivation, fear, and perception of the world that helps to uncover why we behave the way that we do, think the way we do, and feel the way that we do. While the Enneagram is fluid, and individuals can manifest aspects of different numbers, each of us functions out of one single core motivator. We can learn how to pull from, lean into, and recognize habits that may look and feel like a number different than ours, but again, the emphasis is on understanding the core motivations and drivers. We are rooted in one number, and one number only.

An important and helpful resource to explore can be found at: https://www.integrative9.com/enneagram/27-subtypes/

There has been research into 27 subtypes of the Enneagram in which each number is broken into three instincts: self-preservation, one-on-one (sexual), and social. Depending on your dominant instinct, your number manifests in different ways.

For example, I am a number 4 with a strong self-preservation. This combination leads to my appearing externally more like a 7, which is often viewed as the opposite of a type 4. This is known as the countertype. Countertypes exist for many numbers and can make it more difficult to figure out your actual number. I cannot say it enough: the key is to ask, over and over again, what motives me?

Now let’s briefly look at each number. I am not going to explore this fully, because it literally takes entire books to do so, so please look at the resources to explore more in depth! I hope you enjoy 😊

Number 1: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-1/ http://www.enneagram.net/type1.html

“The Perfectionist” “the Reformer” à The Rational Idealistic Type

Basic Fear: of being corrupt, evil or defective

Basic desire: To be good and to have integrity

Number 2: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-2/ http://www.enneagram.net/type2.html

“The Helper” “The Giver” à The Caring, interpersonal type

Basic fear: Of being unwanted or unworthy of love

Basic Desire: To feel loved

Number 3: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-3 http://www.enneagram.net/type3.html

“The Achiever” “The Performer” à The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic type

Basic Fear: of being worthless

Basic Desire: To feel valuable and worthwhile

Number 4: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-4 http://www.enneagram.net/type4.html

“The Individualist” “The Creative Romantic” à The Sensitive, Introspective Type

Basic Fear: That they have no identity or personal significance

Basic Desire: To find themselves and their significance (to create an identity)

Number 5: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-5 http://www.enneagram.net/type5.html

“The Observer” “The Investigator” à The Intense, Cerebral Type

Basic Fear: Being useless, helpless, or incapable

Basic Desire: to be capable and competent

Number 6: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-6 http://www.enneagram.net/type6.html

“The Loyalist” “The Doubter” à The Committed, Security-Oriented Type

Basic Fear: Of being without support and guidance

Basic Desire: To have security and support

Number 7: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-7 http://www.enneagram.net/type7.html

“The Enthusiast” “The Epicure” à The Busy, Variety-Seeking Type

Basic Fear: Of being deprived and in pain

Basic Desire: to be satisfied and content – To have their needs fulfilled

Number 8: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-8 http://www.enneagram.net/type8.html

“The Challenger” “The Leader” à The Powerful, Dominating Type

Basic Fear: Of being harmed or controlled by others

Basic Desire: To protect themselves (to be in control of their own life and destiny)

Number 9: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-9 http://www.enneagram.net/type9.html

“The Peacemaker” “The Mediator” à The Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type

Basic Fear: Of loss and separation

Basic Desire: To have inner stability and “peace of mind”

Hopefully these brief introductions and resources will help you begin your journey into self-discovery! If you are interested in more, here are some of my favorite resources and other helpful links:

My favorite book on the subject is The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth, but Christopher L. Heuertz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0CSDNX/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

If you like music and podcasts, Sleeping at Last has created an incredible song for each number (still working on number 9) and has a podcast associated with each number. The podcast features Christopher L. Heuertz discussing each number, and Ryan O’Neal, the voice behind Sleeping at Last, discussing his creative journey behind each piece of music. I highly recommend taking a listen!

http://www.sleepingatlast.com/

The Road back to You by Ian Morgan https://www.theroadbacktoyou.com/

http://drdaviddaniels.com/the-enneagram/

https://www.enneagramworldwide.com/

Remember, you are not alone and beautiful, just as you are. :)

Your Worth

Finding balance in life is difficult. We live in a culture and a society that feeds on stress and productivity, but is that what really matters?

This week is Spring Break for me, but sadly, it is not much of a break. One of my professors even joked that Spring Break for undergraduate students is a time to go to Cabo, but for master’s students it is a time to get work done and catch up. Is that how it must be? What are we prioritizing?

I see my friends struggling and stressing over massive papers and spending hours worried about the next thing they need to be working on; I feel stress in my body and in the bodies of my peers. While this is not a universal truth, and some people are better at finding ways to take time off and step away from the mounds of reading and work in front of them, they had to learn that skill outside of the classroom. My question is, what does this teach us about how to live a healthy and balanced life? How does this translate into life beyond the classroom? Why do we continue with a narrative that gives stress, and not the healthy kind, power? We are taught how-to live-in stress, rather than how to handle it. We are taught that a hyperactive state is normal, rather than abnormal. We are taught that in order to be successful and valued we must sacrifice our own well-being. When we complete our programs and step out into the working world, this habit of stress and over-productivity carries us forward. We do not know how to slow down, take a minute, and just be. We push ourselves until we burn out or break down, confused as to how we got there.

I recognize that I signed up to get my masters, and I know that, that means work and being a student is not always easy. I recognize that there are some sacrifices that must be made. My question, however, points to a bigger phenomenon of our culture (and not just to masters students, but to classrooms of all ages and subjects): what is school teaching us about rest, play, and living a healthy life? How are we taught to handle stress and find balance?

Today, listen to your body. Take time to rest and play. Unlearning the habits of over-productivity and stress isn’t easy, but we can start small. Know that your worth comes from more than what you produce, create, or accomplish. You are enough, just are you are.

Day Ten Musings

Two things I have been thinking about today: creativity and the fact that we are shaped and molded by the people around us.

First, let us talk about creativity:

Earlier today, I listened to the Calm App's Masterclass on "Creative Living Beyond Fear." In it, Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat Pray Love and Big Magic, discusses the practice of cultivating creativity within ourselves.

What are you prioritizing in your life? Are you taking the time you need to hone your creative passion?

Taking it further, she discusses the issue of fear. According to Gilbert, the point is not to be fearless but to be brave amidst the fear. She challenges us not negate our fear, but rather to listen to what it has to say. The key is to give fear a voice, but not let it drive the car.

What does your fear have you say to you? How is it helping you in your creative ventures and how is it holding you back?

Secondly on my mind today, is the idea and understanding that we are shaped and molded by the people around us:

I recently saw On The Basis of Sex, the new movie about Ruth Bader Ginsberg, and I highly recommend it if you haven't had the opportunity to see it!

What struck me most throughout the entire film was the fact that Ruth Bader Ginsberg would not have become the power house she is today without the support of her family and friends. There were many moments in the story when she could have given up or lost the spark to fight for change, but with the help and reminders from her husband and children she was able to build on her momentum and lean into her strength to keep going. What a beautiful concept. It is an important reminder that we do not walk our lives alone. We are made up of bits and pieces of the people around us, and we are stronger together.

Listen to what people around you are saying today. Find people who encourage and uplift you, give you light, and help you reach and achieve your dreams. Who knows, you might just change the world.