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Deeper Into Type Four: Part II
Each Enneagram type possess archetypes that correspond to the type’s psychic structure. There is typically a dominant archetype and supporting archetypes. Some people may relate to one or all of the archetypes. Nonetheless these are universal roles that human beings play regardless of culture, and seem to encompass both an energetic and anthropological pattern that can help us to understand ourselves on a deeper and more holistic level. Type Four Archetypes Artist Any of the Enneagram styles can be artists, but the Four identifies most strongly with the artist archetype. The artist is not only a creator of beauty, but sees the world through aesthetic eyes....
Read MoreDeeper Into Type Four: Part I
Fours are motivated by a desire to be seen as authentic and unique. Being the last of the image types the Four takes the energy of the image triad (focused on validation, mirroring and image) and focuses this inward. The Four thus becomes strongly identified with their own self-awareness, and often identifies themselves as “deep”, “intuitive” and “insightful”. These adjectives all seek to reiterate the Fours belief that they must be special and authentic in order to be valuable and adequate. Self-searching thus becomes a tool the Four uses to bolster their self image, so rather than going out into the world (as the Three does) or toward others (as the Two...
Read MoreYep, You’re talking to yourself again: The Enneagram and self talk
Working with the Enneagram is not merely the simple act of learning your type and all of its behaviors. Conversely, communication is not just talking to another person, or how you present yourself to the world. Communication encompasses a wide range of activities (both internal and external) that allow you to understand other people and yourself. We are in communication constantly with the world around us. The way we dress, the words we choose, how we move our faces during an emotional reaction, the things we tell ourselves about other people, the things we tell ourselves about ourselves, are some of the ways in which we are constantly in communication with the world...
Read MoreEnnea Reflection #1: Sixes and the “T word”
The Enneagram type Six is motivated by a desire to avoid danger and gain certainty. Sixes are loyal, engaging, vigilant, and can be endearing and brave, or provocative and fearful. This is the Enneagram system’s “Loyal Skeptic” or “Cautious Defender”. Sixes often receive a bad rap because of their attention to what might go wrong. However, it’s important to remember that without the Sixes attention to danger we might be less likely to notice problems in the future. This habit of attention is misunderstood by non-sixes as being negative, however it is really an expression of the Sixes caring. By paying attention to what could go wrong the Six...
Read MoreInstincts and The Enneagram
The richness of the Enneagram is never lacking. The system is so dynamic and complex that once we understand the basic aspects of the system we are a step closer to understanding the complex human personality. The instinctual subtypes (or instinctual variants) are such a major aspect of The Enneagram they deserve a solid understanding as it strongly influences the type in a way that can drastically change the presentation of a particular style. The instinctual subtypes can be understood as the dominant arena of life in which we focus our personality styles. They are the primal hard-wiring that can be seen as a sort of tribal, anthropological energy supporting the human...
Read MoreTV Show: Flipping Out (Jeff Lewis)
If you’ve ever known a perfectionist then read on, it may shed some light on their behavior and exacting standards. Jeff Lewis’s outrageous antics on the hit Bravo show Flipping Out gives us an entertaining opportunity to see someone’s Enneagram style at work. Let’s explore the ways in which Jeff exhibits the characteristics of the One and some of the issues which are common to many Ones. Jeff Lewis is a great example of a One with a Two wing (1w2). “The 1w2 tends to be more outgoing, outspoken, and people oriented than the 1w9. He’s also more grounded, more apt to voice his opinions, and more in the grip of the One-ish tendency to get...
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