The Meaning of the Arrows (in brief



The Enneagram – An IntroductionThe Enneagram is an ancient tool for understanding personality. Originally invented by the Sufis, it has longstanding, worldwide recognition for its insight, accuracy and depth, far more than any other personality typing tool. This is because the Enneagram asks us to look not only at what we are like or how we behave, but also at why we are as we are, our deeper motivations, falsities and truths and the roots of our thoughts, emotions and behaviours. The enneagram invites us to engage in a spiritual process of learning about ourselves. We can move towards greater self-awareness, a lighter sense of self, a more spacious sense of others and a more accepting understanding of humanity. By taking ourselves ‘on’ through the Enneagram, and initially taking ourselves seriously enough to probe deeply, we then become able to free ourselves from reactivity, take ourselves less seriously and regard ourselves and others with greater compassion and understanding. Our sense of how to be more fully human and more fully ourselves expands as we explore the Enneagram. Richard Rohr (1995 Keynote Address, Crossroads) says that as we discover the one-out-of-nine types that we are, we realise that we therefore have, at best, only a ninth of a sense of the truth of how to be human. And then there are so many variations on how to be any one of the nine types, we suddenly recognise that we are a small part of a very large truth about being human.Some key points about the Enneagram: (Some taken from The Enneagram Institute – website below) Our dominant self is apparent very early on in our lives, shaped from birth and early childhood. The descriptions of the personality types are universal and apply equally to all humans, since no type is inherently masculine or feminine.Not everything in the description of your basic type will apply to you all the time because you fluctuate constantly among the healthy, average, and unhealthy traits that make up your personality type.Each type has wings – characteristics of the numbers either side, often one wing is more dominant, and part of our growth is to develop our other wing. We also have arrow numbers. We become more integrated or less integrated when we move towards our particular arrow numbers. The Enneagram uses numbers to designate each of the types because numbers are value neutral— they imply the whole range of attitudes and behaviours of each type without specifying anything either positive or negative. No type is inherently better or worse than any other. While all the personality types have unique assets and liabilities, some types are often considered to be more desirable than others in any given culture or group. Furthermore, for one reason or another, you may not be happy being a particular type. If some types are more esteemed in Western society than others, it is because of the qualities that society rewards, not because of any superior value of those types. We do not grow by trying to become a different type or imitate other’s ways of being. The Enneagram invites is to understand and become our best self, knowing our shadows and honouring our gifts.1 -?THE REFORMERThe Rational, Idealistic Type:Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled, and PerfectionisticOnes are conscientious and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers, crusaders, and advocates for change: always striving to improve things, but afraid of making a mistake. Well-organized, orderly, and fastidious, they try to maintain high standards, but can slip into being critical and perfectionistic. They typically have problems with resentment and impatience.?At their Best:?wise, discerning, realistic, and noble. Can be morally heroic.Basic Fear: Of being corrupt/evil, defectiveBasic Desire: To be good, to have integrity, to be balancedEnneagram One with a Nine-Wing: "The Idealist"Enneagram One with a Two-Wing: "The Advocate"Key Motivations:?Want to be right, to strive higher and improve everything, to be consistent with their ideals, to justify themselves, to be beyond criticism so as not to be condemned by anyone.The Meaning of the Arrows (in brief)When moving in their Direction of Disintegration (stress), methodical Ones suddenly become moody and irrational at Four. However, when moving in their Direction of Integration (growth), angry, critical Ones become more spontaneous and joyful, like healthy Sevens.?2 - THE HELPERThe Caring, Interpersonal Type:Generous, Demonstrative, People-Pleasing, and PossessiveTwos are empathetic, sincere, and warm-hearted. They are friendly, generous, and self-sacrificing, but can also be sentimental, flattering, and people-pleasing. They are well-meaning and driven to be close to others, but can slip into doing things for others in order to be needed. They typically have problems with possessiveness and with acknowledging their own needs.?At their Best: unselfish and altruistic, they have unconditional love for others.Basic Fear:?Of being unwanted, unworthy of being lovedBasic Desire:?To feel lovedEnneagram Two with a One-Wing:?"Servant"Enneagram Two with a Three-Wing:?"The Host/Hostess"Key Motivations:?Want to be loved, to express their feelings for others, to be needed and appreciated, to get others to respond to them, to vindicate their claims about themselves.The Meaning of the Arrows (in brief)When moving in their Direction of Disintegration (stress), needy Twos suddenly become aggressive and dominating at?Eight. However, when moving in their Direction of Integration (growth), prideful, self-deceptive Twos become more self-nurturing and emotionally aware, like healthy?Fours.3 - THE ACHIEVERThe Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type:Adaptable, Excelling, Driven, and Image-ConsciousThrees are self-assured, attractive, and charming. Ambitious, competent, and energetic, they can also be status-conscious and highly driven for advancement. They are diplomatic and poised, but can also be overly concerned with their image and what others think of them. They typically have problems with workaholism and competitiveness.?At their Best: self-accepting, authentic, everything they seem to be—role models who inspire others.Basic Fear: Of failing, of being worthlessBasic Desire: To succeed, to feel valuable and worthwhileEnneagram Three with a Two-Wing: "The Charmer"Enneagram Three with a Four-Wing: "The Professional"Key Motivations:?Want to be affirmed, to distinguish themselves from others, to have attention, to be admired, and to impress others.The Meaning of the Arrows (in brief)When moving in their Direction of Disintegration (stress), driven Threes suddenly become disengaged and apathetic at Nine. However, when moving in their Direction of Integration (growth), vain, deceitful Threes become more cooperative and committed to others, like healthy Sixes.4 - THE INDIVIDUALISTThe Sensitive, Introspective Type:Expressive, Dramatic, Self-Absorbed, and TemperamentalFours are self-aware, sensitive, and reserved. They are emotionally honest, creative, and personal, but can also be moody and self-conscious. Withholding themselves from others due to feeling vulnerable and defective, they can also feel disdainful and exempt from ordinary ways of living. They typically have problems with melancholy, self-indulgence, and self-pity.?At their Best: inspired and highly creative, they are able to renew themselves and transform their experiences.Basic Fear:?That they have no identity or personal significanceBasic Desire:?To find themselves and their significance (to create an identity)Enneagram Four with a Three-Wing:?"The Aristocrat"Enneagram Four with a Five-Wing:?"The Bohemian"Key Motivations:?Want to express themselves and their individuality, to create and surround themselves with beauty, to maintain certain moods and feelings, to withdraw to protect their self-image, to take care of emotional needs before attending to anything else, to attract a "rescuer."The Meaning of the Arrows (in brief)When moving in their Direction of Disintegration (stress), aloof Fours suddenly become over-involved and clinging at?Two. However, when moving in their Direction of Integration (growth), envious, emotionally turbulent Fours become more objective and principled, like healthy?Ones.5 - THE INVESTIGATORThe Intense, Cerebral Type:Perceptive, Innovative, Secretive, and IsolatedFives are alert, insightful, and curious. They are able to concentrate and focus on developing complex ideas and skills. Independent, innovative, and inventive, they can also become preoccupied with their thoughts and imaginary constructs. They become detached, yet high-strung and intense. They typically have problems with eccentricity, nihilism, and isolation. At their Best: visionary pioneers, often ahead of their time, and able to see the world in an entirely new way.Basic Fear:?Being useless, helpless, or incapableBasic Desire:?To know, to be capable and competentEnneagram Five with a Four-Wing:?"The Iconoclast"Enneagram Five with a Six-Wing:?"The Problem Solver"Key Motivations:?Want to possess knowledge, to understand the environment, to have everything figured out as a way of defending the self from threats from the environment.The Meaning of the Arrows (in brief)When moving in their Direction of Disintegration (stress), detached Fives suddenly become hyperactive and scattered at?Seven. However, when moving in their Direction of Integration (growth), avaricious, detached Fives become more self-confident and decisive, like healthy?Eights.6 - THE LOYALISTThe Committed, Security-Oriented Type:Engaging, Responsible, Anxious, and SuspiciousThe committed, security-oriented type. Sixes are reliable, hard-working, responsible, and trustworthy. Excellent "trouble-shooters," they foresee problems and foster cooperation, but can also become defensive, evasive, and anxious—running on stress while complaining about it. They can be cautious and indecisive, but also reactive, defiant and rebellious. They typically have problems with self-doubt and suspicion.?At their Best: internally stable and self-reliant, courageously championing themselves and others.Basic Fear:?Of being without support and guidanceBasic Desire:?To have security and supportEnneagram Six with a Five-Wing:?"The Defender"Enneagram Six with a Seven-Wing:?"The Buddy"Key Motivations:?Want to have security, to feel supported by others, to have certitude and reassurance, to test the attitudes of others toward them, to fight against anxiety and insecurity.The Meaning of the Arrows (in brief)When moving in their Direction of Disintegration (stress), dutiful Sixes suddenly become competitive and arrogant at?Three. However, when moving in their Direction of Integration (growth), fearful, pessimistic Sixes become more relaxed and optimistic, like healthy?Nines.7 - THE ENTHUSIASTThe Busy, Variety-Seeking Type:Spontaneous, Versatile, Acquisitive, and ScatteredSevens are extroverted, optimistic, versatile, and spontaneous. Playful, high-spirited, and practical, they can also misapply their many talents, becoming over-extended, scattered, and undisciplined. They constantly seek new and exciting experiences, but can become distracted and exhausted by staying on the go. They typically have problems with impatience and impulsiveness.?At their Best: they focus their talents on worthwhile goals, becoming appreciative, joyous, and satisfied.Basic Fear:?Of being deprived and in painBasic Desire:?To be satisfied and content—to have their needs fulfilledEnneagram Seven with a Six-Wing:?"The Entertainer"Enneagram Seven with an Eight-Wing:?"The Realist"Key Motivations:?Want to maintain their freedom and happiness, to avoid missing out on worthwhile experiences, to keep themselves excited and occupied, to avoid and discharge pain.The Meaning of the Arrows (in brief)When moving in their Direction of Disintegration (stress), scattered Sevens suddenly become perfectionistic and critical at?One. However, when moving in their Direction of Integration (growth), gluttonous, scattered Sevens become more focused and fascinated by life, like healthy?Fives.?8 - THE CHALLENGERThe Powerful, Dominating Type:Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful, and ConfrontationalEights are self-confident, strong, and assertive. Protective, resourceful, straight-talking, and decisive, but can also be ego-centric and domineering. Eights feel they must control their environment, especially people, sometimes becoming confrontational and intimidating. Eights typically have problems with their tempers and with allowing themselves to be vulnerable.?At their Best: self- mastering, they use their strength to improve others' lives, becoming heroic, magnanimous, and inspiring.Basic Fear: Of being harmed or controlled by othersBasic Desire: To protect themselves (to be in control of their own life and destiny)Enneagram Eight with a Seven-Wing: "The Maverick"Enneagram Eight with a Nine-Wing: "The Bear"Key Motivations:?Want to be self-reliant, to prove their strength and resist weakness, to be important in their world, to dominate the environment, and to stay in control of their situation.The Meaning of the Arrows (in brief)When moving in their Direction of Disintegration (stress), self-confident Eights suddenly become secretive and fearful at Five. However, when moving in their Direction of Integration (growth), lustful, controlling Eights become more open-hearted and caring, like healthy Twos.9 - THE PEACEMAKERThe Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type:Receptive, Reassuring Agreeable, and ComplacentNines are accepting, trusting, and stable. They are usually creative, optimistic, and supportive, but can also be too willing to go along with others to keep the peace. They want everything to go smoothly and be without conflict, but they can also tend to be complacent, simplifying problems and minimizing anything upsetting. They typically have problems with inertia and stubbornness.?At their Best: indomitable and all-embracing, they are able to bring people together and heal conflicts.Basic Fear:?Of loss and separationBasic Desire:?To have inner stability "peace of mind"Enneagram Nine with an Eight-Wing:?"The Referee"Enneagram Nine with a One-Wing:?"The Dreamer"Key Motivations:?Want to create harmony in their environment, to avoid conflicts and tension, to preserve things as they are, to resist whatever would upset or disturb them.The Meaning of the Arrows (in brief)When moving in their Direction of Disintegration (stress), complacent Nines suddenly become anxious and worried at?Six. However, when moving in their Direction of Integration (growth), slothful, self-neglecting Nines become more self-developing and energetic, like healthy?rmation from : website has further detailed information and links to other resources.Identifying our Personality Type:There are various quizzes in books and online that can assist us in identifying our type.Summaries, such as above, can usually help us narrow our type down to a couple of most likely possibilities – or sometimes it is obvious to us which is most true. Remember – no type is better or worse than any other. They are all descriptors of human behaviour patterns. Each have their strengths and their challenges. Each have their gifts and their struggles, in equal measure. It sometimes looks like another type is easier or more appealing – but as soon as you talk to someone of another type, you realise that it is just as hard for them to be them as it is for you to be you!Often, we know a type to be true for us either if we laugh out loud because it’s like reading your own thoughts on the page! Or if we cringe inside because it’s like reading our innermost angst on the page!! It can be helpful to reflect beyond the self we present – our ‘best’ self that we happily show…and consider how we often feel inside, the patterns of our thoughts, the repetitive behaviours we have noticed or the reactions we have often had (especially perhaps in the mid-teenage years!) ................
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