Egoic
Type Descriptions
The
LibertyCore Founder's Comments on the Enneagram and its Teachers
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Below you will find general information
on what the Enneagram is. Use the links above to expand your knowledge of
and to apply the Enneagram.
The Symbol
The Enneagram symbol is a nine-pointed, star-like figure. The nine
lines comprise a perfect triangle and a twisted hexagon contained within a
circle. There is intrinsic meaning in the relationship between the parts
of the figure and the whole. It forms the basis for an exploration of
human evolution, including the evolution of consciousness and
self-development. The actual ancient origin of the symbol is unknown.
References to an Enneagram-like figure exist in many spiritual traditions.
Recently, many have come to believe that it was known to the Sufis who
used it as part of their mystical training practice.
There are two major areas of scholarship dealing with the enneagram.
The first area concerns the psycho-spiritual aspects of our existence and
is the main focus of the IEA. It deals with the psychology of human
personality and how that may be transformed into spiritual qualities. We
call this the Enneagram of Personality.
The second area concerns an ancient description of a dynamic process
that explains two fundamental laws of the universe: the law of three
and the law of seven. Although the Enneagram of Personality
includes some aspects of this approach, it is not its primary focus.
Information on the process aspects of the enneagram can be found in the
writings of Gurdjieff, Ouspensky and J. Bennett.
The Enneagram of Personality
The Enneagram has evolved into a system of human development which maps
nine different personality types and their interrelationships to the nine
points of the symbol. Each type has developed an effective way of living
in the world, and each differs in its world view and its placement of
attention. People of each type have their own habits of behavior that may
impact their choices and place limits on the possibilities available
within their relationships, work, and self-development. Each type has a
different set of distinctive talents and traps of automatic behavior. Each
has its own way of falling into imbalance and its own way of ascending to
transcendent awakening.
Although every human might have all the talents and traps of all nine
patterns, each type is most compelled by, or specializes in, certain
behaviors more than others. This then becomes an automatic way of being.
One goal of the Enneagram system is to help us understand all types in
order to better appreciate these differences in each other and reduce
unnecessary conflicts.
Through a study of the system, we can begin to gain a rich
understanding of ourselves and the others in our lives. The study includes
methods of self-observation that allow us to recognize our motivations and
the patterns of attention that shape the personality in unique ways, as
well as the many areas we humans have in common. It enables us to relate
to one another with understanding, compassion and effectiveness in a
powerful way not previously experienced. It assists us in developing
stronger relationships and more significant life commitments. The enhanced
communication that results from a study of the Enneagram significantly
reduces misunderstanding and confusion.
Personality
The Enneagram of Personality is a system of personality typing that
combines modern psychological understanding with ancient wisdom teachings
to provide a psycho-spiritual tool for personal development. It is not
stereotyping. People are encouraged to avoid using the type numbers in a
simplistic way that might eliminate possibilities of knowing others as
they really are. Although those of the same type share an underlying break
from, or loss of, the same essential quality, each individual has his or
her own unique manifestation of the type. The system is designed to honor
this individuality. The system also discourages the use of the information
for manipulating others. It is not about gaining power over others; it is
about understanding others' world views, how they differ from each other,
and the difficulties they experience or avoid as a result of seeing the
world as they do.
It is possible to find characteristics in all the types which apply to
us. These characteristics are, after all, universal. So how do we begin to
know ourselves? First, we must begin an examination of ourselves through a
special process of self-observation. Such self-study will often create
confusion for us when we compare our ideal or false self-image with the
observed "facts." At this point it is often helpful to question those who
know us well, and to discover the elements of our perceived self-image
with which they agree or disagree. Another key piece of information is how
conditions of stress or security may change our behavior. Though it is
possible to determine one's type in a relatively short time, there may be
many layers of learning to go through before our true type becomes clear
to us. The Enneagram system does not necessarily lend itself to easy
self-identification. It is not designed for casual use. In fact, if we
could easily see ourselves fully, there would be little need for such a
system. The depth of each individual and the richness of the system demand
that each individual do his or her own inner self-discovery.
Essence and Personality
The system divides our being into Personality and Essence. The
personality is that which appears as our type traits and our automatic,
unconscious behaviors. In some ways, it is false, like wearing the mask of
a "persona." Essence is that aspect of our being that transcends our
personality, carries a universal quality, and serves as our contact with
the spiritual. It is our "true" face.
Although the initial benefit of working with the Enneagram system will
be in creating a world of love, work and relationships that has greater
fulfillment and deeper satisfaction, the ultimate benefit is the reward of
doing the spiritual work: uncovering our essence, our real self, and our
connection to God as we know it. Thus the Enneagram system serves the
sacred agenda of being one with all beings.
"How Do I Determine My Type?"
There are a number of different ways of going about determining type,
all of which are useful.
- Tests
From a rational-scientific view there is a need to validate the
effectiveness and reliability of test instruments. To date, most
Enneagram diagnostic tests and inventories have not had validity and
reliability studies performed on them. However, both David Daniels, M.D.
and Virginia Price, Ph.D. (see the Essential Enneagram, Harper/SF, 2000)
and Jerome Wagner Ph.D (see the Wagner Enneagram Personality Style
Scales (WEPSS), Western Psychological Services, 1999) have done formal
validity and reliability studies. In taking a type determination test it
is important to note if validity and reliability work have been done.
Even when these studies have been performed, the best they can give is a
probability. In addition, results depend partially on the quality of
one's inner observer -that part of us that can notice our traits as they
really are and not as our self-image would like them to be. Hence, it is
a good idea to check with an expert and people who know you well.
- Determination by an expert
Some think an expert's determination of one's type can be accurate and
reliable, and in some cases may be necessary for an accurate assessment.
- Self-determination
Although self-determination of one's own type can be inaccurate due to
one's blind spots, some think that only the individual can look
sufficiently deeply within themselves to identify the ultimate roots of
motivation and behavior, which are the basis of type.
The topic of typing remains unsettled and deserves further
investigation. We recommend that each person choose an approach to this
problem based on their own experience. Many people can determine their
type easily after reading the description provided by one or another
author.
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