There’s an ancient tool called the enneagram which consists of numbers 1 to 9, each number corresponding to a specific personality type. It describes our fears, motivations and coping mechanisms in life.
Number one is the reformer and perfectionist, they are self disciplined, detail and rules oriented, they strive for goodness and avoid being evil at all costs, because they fear being corrupt. They can be rigid at times because of their attention to following certain rules and protocols because they tend to have a strong inner critic.
Number two is the helper. They fear being unlovable so they strive to meet the needs of people around them, sometimes at the expense of their own needs. They are dutiful, nurturing and supportive people but they can lack connection to themselves at times by always trying to fulfill others needs and expectations of them. Their growing edge is to realize that they also have to make time for their selves and what they like to do for themselves.
Number three is the success or achievement oriented person who is very competitive, focused on the bigger picture and achieving goals. They are focused, energetic, action oriented and very ambitious people. Their basic fear is the fear of failure above all and their downside is they can be deceitful in projecting a false image of vanity. Regardless, their competitive side makes them want to be the best at whatever it is they set out to achieve or be.
Number four is the individualist, sensitive and sometimes dramatic type depending on the subtype (we’ll discuss subtypes later on in another post). They are introspective, creative, expressive and emotional people. They fear the ordinary and mundane and strive to carve out a distinct image and identity. Their vice is melancholy and their virtue is equanimity; to have composure in difficult situations instead of letting your emotions get the best of you.
Number five is the observer or the investigator, they are always acquiring new information and live in their heads a lot of the times, they are cerebral, withdrawn and detached from emotional reactivity. Their vice is avarice or stinginess and their virtue is non attachment.
Number six is the loyalist and skeptic, they are masters of worst case scenario thinking. But it’s not always a bad thing since these people like to prepare for emergencies, they can help us in such cases. What is bad is if they take things too far by always analyzing what could go wrong even when it’s unheeded or uncalled for. They fear fear itself and their virtue is courage. Did I mention they’re very loyal, trustworthy and supportive people?
Number seven is the enthusiast, very upbeat, energetic and excited people. They see life through rose colored glasses and are always planning for exciting things to do, new places to visit, new people to meet and new food to eat… Their vice is gluttony and their virtue is sobriety.
Number eight is the challenger, leader and protective type. They are usually blunt, strong physically and mentally and they fear weakness and humiliation or being at the mercy of injustice. They also fear betrayal from closed ones so they can be very wary in their relationships. Their vice is lust, lust for life and they don’t want to be held back by anything, they want to experience life fully and be in control of their destinies. Their virtue is innocence where they connect with their inner child that felt unprotected as a child and needed to counteract it by being strong and confrontational as they grew up.
Last but not least we have type nine. Type nine is called the peacemaker as they can see and understand others points of view but struggle with finding their own view or direction in life, they hate to rock the boat and can be complacent at times. They are positive, calm, gentle and peaceful people. Their vice is sloth and their virtue is taking the right action. They fear conflict the most. Surprisingly, they can be great leaders depending on their subtype.
Towards a better future 