Introduction to Enneagram: Understanding Your Core Motivations
The Enneagram of Personality is a unique typology system that offers an in-depth understanding of individual personalities. While Jungian Cognitive Functions illustrate how the mind processes and perceives information, the Enneagram seeks to uncover what truly drives our behaviors and actions. Think of it this way: If MBTI describes the “how” of our personalities, the Enneagram addresses the “why.”
The Enneagram system, with its nuanced differentiation between types, may initially seem daunting. But rest assured, it’s not as complex as it appears at first glance.
Identifying Core Emotions
At the heart of the Enneagram system is the premise that each person’s primary behavioral motivator is rooted in one of three core negative emotions: Fear, Anger, and Shame. The first step in your Enneagram journey is to identify which of these three emotions resonates most with your personal experiences.
- Fear: Often associated with anxiety, fear is a “head”-based emotion that tends to manifest in thoughts, worries, and neuroticism.
- Anger: This “body”-based emotion is typically experienced as a full-body sensation and can result in forceful behavior and attempts at control.
- Shame: A “heart”-based emotion, shame often instigates feelings of self-deprecation and a sense of not being good enough.
Reflect on which of these emotions you encounter most frequently. Remember, while we all experience these emotions to varying degrees, the aim here is to identify which one is most influential in your life.
Navigating Emotions: Three Approaches
The Enneagram outlines three primary methods of managing a negative emotion: moving through it, resisting it, or avoiding it. Your preferred approach to handling negative emotions reveals your primary Enneagram type. Let’s delve into how these methods correlate with each of the three core emotions.
Navigating Shame
- Type 2 (The Helper): Individuals of this type move through shame, interpreting it as a signal of not meeting their obligations to others. They believe that by continually giving to others, they can evade feelings of shame.
- Type 3 (The Achiever): These individuals resist shame by projecting a perfected image of themselves, thereby avoiding criticism that could trigger feelings of shame.
- Type 4 (The Individualist): Type 4s avoid shame by emphasizing their unique individuality, believing that feeling ashamed only arises when one isn’t being true to oneself.
Navigating Fear
- Type 5 (The Investigator): These individuals move through fear, viewing it as a valid warning sign. They believe that by mastering the things they fear, they can reduce their vulnerability.
- Type 6 (The Loyalist): Type 6s resist fear by cultivating trustworthiness in themselves and expecting the same from others.
- Type 7 (The Enthusiast): These individuals avoid fear by maintaining their freedom and mobility. They use their enthusiasm and optimism as a shield against fear.
Navigating Anger
- Type 8 (The Challenger): These individuals navigate through anger, using it as a tool to establish control and order. They believe that by directing their anger, they can maintain their autonomy.
- Type 9 (The Mediator): Type 9s resist anger by striving for peace and understanding in all situations. They believe that avoiding conflict is the best way to keep anger at bay.
- Type 1 (The Reformer): These individuals avoid anger by striving for perfection, believing that if everything is as it should be, there’s no room for anger.
By understanding the core emotions that drive our behavior and the ways we manage them, the Enneagram provides a roadmap for personal growth. Identifying your primary Enneagram type can lead to increased self-awareness and improved relationships with others. Start your journey of self-discovery today and uncover the “why” behind your actions.