1

RECOGNIZE, NAME, AND LET GO!

The Peacemaker

The The
Asserter Perfectionist

The The
Adventurer Helper

The The
Loyalist Achiever

The The Artist/

Observer Unique One

BY: FR. AL VILLASANTE, SVD

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TO ALL WOULD-BE PARTICIPANTS OF THE
ENNEAGRAM PROCESS WORKSHOP

Dear Enneagram Participants,

It has been a source of joy for me to think of having you at this Enneagram Process Workshop,
especially after empirically testing the effects of the Enneagram. As a meta-cognitive (self-
monitoring) tool (Bartlett, 2003), Enneagram brings new insights about your personality and
self-enlightenment that leads to authentic personal freedom (Rohr & Ebert,1990) and spiritual
transformation (Hudson & Riso, 1999). In a study (Villasante, 1997), using the Enneagram as an
intervention among seminarians, it has proven to be a potent enhancer of self-esteem and
personal growth initiative. I am sure it will be a rewarding experience for you too.

For those who are seriously thinking of joining the Enneagram Process Workshop, the following
questions may help you in your preparation. Go through each question and find out which ones
strike you most. Explore what is there that makes them significant to you.

1. How well do you know yourself? Do you really know yourself?

2. What are you avoiding in most cases? Do you know the reason why?
3. What are your compulsions? (Compulsion is a basic driving force. It is said to have the
characteristic of prevailing in the way energy is channeled in personal behavior, and of
being irresistible, especially when it remains hidden and unrecognized).
4. Through the years you have developed certain kind of habits and characters, etc.
constituting your personality, how come you have settled into what you are now leaving
behind a spectrum of possibilities that you can be otherwise?
5. Think of your childhood experiences—see how far you can go back to: How much really
have you changed? Can you name or identify which ones remaining constant in your
personality?
6. What makes you different from another person?
7. Why are there personalities difficult to deal with while others fairly easy?

Looking forward to having you around,

Fraternally yours,

Fr. Al Villasante, SVD

______________________________________________________________________________
"May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of Grace; and may the Heart
of Jesus live in our hearts and in the hearts of all people." (St. Arnold Janssen)
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ENNEAGRAM WORKSHOP CONTENT

TOPICS PERSONAL NOTES

1. Sharing of Expectations / Introduction

2. Guided Meditation

3. Sharing at the Plenum

4. Our Inner Experience

5. Enneagram & Childhood

6. Enneagram Centres

7. Sharing acc. to Centres

8. Sharing at the Plenum

9. Viewing the Checklist

10. Faces of Anger, Anxiety, Fear

11. Sharing with those of same Personality Type

12. Sharing at the Plenum

13. Enneagram and Relationship

14. Wings and Arrows

15. Sub-types

16. Conversion

17. Open Forum

Fr. ACV, SVD - Enneagram Workshop

 4

THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WITH ANGER

EXPERIENCE AS A CHILD: WAY OF SURVIVING: HOW LOVE IS GAINED/EXPERIENCED

1. Anger = least controlled emotion! • learnt that showing anger did not help; IN ORDER TO BE LOVED, HAS A
• couldn't make themselves heard; • realised family situation could not be REACTION FORMATION:
• often overshadowed by older siblings or felt changed; • those who adapted and kept the peace;
neglected. So, space out, buffed their feelings with small • found they were loved by their family
physical comforts
• Wait for someone else to take decisions

2. Internalised parents’ critical voice and • made sure they stay out of trouble, often HOW LOVE IS GAINED/EXPERIENCED
become angry at themselves because: painful task • maintained Good image
• they weren’t as good as they should be; • demanded a lot of deprivation.
• angry at parents when criticised; • tight internal control
• angry on being found out or falsely
accused.

3. Trying to be good; innocence was taken • quickly realised that the only way to release HOW LOVE IS EXPERIENCED:
advantage of. Angry: anger was to: • being strong and ready to stand up for
• on those who try to dominate them; on • Fight it out. others.
seeing other children being taken advantaged • Put on a strong face even when down
of. • flourished in an atmosphere of open
• on one’s personal limitations because it competition.
makes them appear weak in a world where
you had to be strong.
 5
THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WITH ANXIETY

EXPERIENCE AS A CHILD: WAY OF SURVIVING: HOW LOVE IS GAINED/EXPERIENCED

1. Source of anxiety: • Switch off emotions: focus attention on • Those who achieved and kept failure at
- prospect of failure and not performing winning and achieving. bay found that they were loved for this
well. • Skillful/expert at self-promotion, and spurned them on to greater
- always had to win: the way to be occupying often leadership roles. successes.
loved by their parents. • image was important!
- losing unthinkable

2. Wanted to feel important in the lives of • quickly recognised the qualities in • If they helped, they were loved.
their parents and others. themselves appealing to the different
- were anxious that unless they met the adults in their lives, and learned to put
needs of the others, they wouldn’t be on a performance to meet those needs.
loved and approved of. • very good at manipulating their parents.

3. Felt abandoned for one reason or • attached to the promise of affection and • despaired of love and were tragic
another, (maybe because of loss of a love; always hoping to receive it. figures.
parent, one parent frequently absent, or • often felt rage at being deprived and
parent was alternately cruel or kind). anger at the abandoning parent who
- deeply anxious about: had caused such grief.
• being of any worth • Since the parent wasn’t around, the
• would be seen of any value. anger became turned in on self often
leading to depression.
 6

THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WITH FEAR

EXPERIENCE AS A CHILD: WAY OF SURVIVING: HOW LOVE IS GAINED/EXPERIENCED

1. Felt physically intruded upon as children. • To escape = found places to hide in or loved • being wise
• PRIVACY = always in danger of being to stay in their rooms.
stolen and feared they would be engulfed. • some withdrew from any feelings and put up
• Or, lack of tenderness and intimacy a wall of emotional distance.
- capacity to show or express their feelings is • had a sense of watching other people
underdeveloped. • feelings to be sorted out later.
- Inner world: the only free space to move • identified with their thoughts about the
undisturbed, yet seemed like an empty abyss. world and gathered in whatever they could get
in order to fill up the empty space.
2. • Unpredictable parents • learnt to hesitate and check out danger • “I am not a threat to you, so love me.”
- not know whether to laugh or to duck signals.
- feared parents and those who had power • figure out the authority’s position before
over them. making a move.
- own inability to act on their own behalf • mistrustfulness on authority:
• A sense of being unprotected with - resulted in dependency on authority: “take
nowhere to hide, of being on the losing side. care of me because I am weak and afraid.”
- or, rebellion because authority is trying my
weakness by making me afraid.
3. Fearful experiences in childhood: • to look on the bright side. • “If I am joyful and happy, you will love
- pleasure was taken away from them but • escaping into limitless possibilities of me.”
found it very difficult to remember because imagination
they have screened it out. • sought pleasure and tried to compensate
- basic fear: pleasure be taken away again! quickly putting aside what was painful.
 7

“TYPE ONE”

CHECK WHAT DESCRIBES YOU WHEN YOU WERE (OR IF YOU ARE NOW) UNDER
THE AGE OF 25.

• I LIKE TO BE ORGANISED AND ORDERLY.

• IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO BE SPONTANEOUS.
• I OFTEN FEEL GUILTY ABOUT NOT GETTING ENOUGH ACCOMPLISHED.
• I DON’T LIKE IT WHEN PEOPLE BREAK RULES.
• INCORRECT GRAMMAR AND SPELLING BOTHER ME A LOT.
• I AM IDEALISTIC. I WANT TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.
• I AM ALMOST ALWAYS ON TIME.
• I HOLD ON TO RESENTMENT FOR A LONG TIME.
• I THINK OF MYSELF AS BEING PRACTICAL, REASONABLE, AND REALISTIC.
• WHEN JEALOUS, I BECOME FEARFUL AND COMPETITIVE.
• EITHER I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO RELAX OR I THINK I SHOULDN’T
RELAX.
• I TEND TO SEE THINGS IN TERMS OF RIGHT OR WRONG, GOOD OR BAD.
• I ANALYSE MAJOR PURCHASES VERY THOROUGHLY BEFORE I MAKE THEM.
• I DREAD BEING CRITICISED OR JUDGED BY OTHERS.
• I OFTEN COMPARE MYSELF WITH OTHERS.
• TRUTH AND JUSTICE ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.
• I OFTEN FEEL THAT TIME IS RUNNING OUT AND THERE IS TOO MUCH LEFT
TO DO.
• I ALMOST ALWAYS DO WHAT I SAY I WILL DO.
• I WORRY ALMOST CONSTANTLY.

• I LOVE MAKING EVERY DETAIL PERFECT.

 8
“TYPE TWO” “TYPE THREE”

CHECK WHAT DESCRIBES YOU WHEN YOU WERE (OR IF YOU ARE NOW) UNDER CHECK WHAT DESCRIBES YOU WHEN YOU WERE (OR IF YOU ARE NOW) UNDER
THE AGE OF 25. THE AGE OF 25.

• I WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE COMING TO ME FOR GUIDANCE • I’M ALMOST ALWAYS BUSY.
AND ADVICE.
• I LIKE TO MAKE TO-DO LISTS, PROGRESS CHARTS, AND SCHEDULES FOR
• RELATIONSHIPS ARE MORE IMPORTANT TO ME THAN ALMOST ANYTHING.
• SOMETIMES I FEEL OVERBURDENED BY PEOPLE’S DEPENDENCE ON ME. MYSELF.
• I HAVE TROUBLE ASKING FOR WHAT I NEED.
• I DON’T MIND BEING ASKED TO WORK OVERTIME.
• I CRAVE, YET SOMETIMES FEAR, INTIMACY.
• I AM MORE COMFORTABLE GIVING THAN RECEIVING. • I HAVE AN OPTIMISTIC ATTITUDE.
• I AM VERY SENSITIVE TO CRITICISM. • I GO FULL FORCE UNTIL I GET THE JOB DONE.
• I WORK HARD TO OVERCOME ALL OBSTACLES IN A RELATIONSHIP.
• I TRY TO BE AS SENSITIVE AND TACTFUL AS POSSIBLE. • I BELIEVE IN DOING THINGS AS EXPEDIENTLY AS POSSIBLE.
• WHEN I AM ALONE I KNOW WHAT I WANT, BUT WHEN I AM WITH OTHERS I • IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO BETTER THEMSELVES AND LIVE UP TO
AM NOT SURE.
• IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT OTHERS FEEL COMFORTABLE AND WELCOME THEIR POTENTIAL.
IN MY HOME. • I’M NOT INTERESTED IN TALKING A LOT ABOUT MY PERSONAL LIFE.
• I DON’T WANT MY DEPENDENCE TO SHOW.
• WATCHING VIOLENCE ON TELEVISION AND SEEING PEOPLE SUFFER IS • I TRY NOT TO LET ILLNESS STOP ME FROM DOING ANYTHING.
UNBEARABLE. • I HATE TO SEE JOBS UNDONE.
• SOMETIMES I FEEL A DEEP SENSE OF LONELINESS.
• IF I DON’T GET THE CLOSENESS I NEED, I FEEL SAD, HURT, AND • I TEND TO PUT WORK BEFORE OTHER THINGS.
UNIMPORTANT. • I CAN’T UNDERSTAND PEOPLE WHO ARE BORED. I NEVER RUN OUT OF
• SOMETIMES I GET PHYSICALLY ILL AND EMOTIONALLY DRAINED FROM
TAKING CARE OF EVERYONE ELSE. THINGS TO DO.
• I OFTEN FIGURE OUT WHAT OTHERS WOULD LIKE IN A PERSON, THEN ACT • IT IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT FOR ME TO GET IN TOUCH WITH MY FEELINGS.
THAT WAY.
• I ENJOY GIVING COMPLIMENTS AND TELLING PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE • I WORK VERY HARD TO TAKE CARE OF AND PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY.
SPECIAL TO ME. • I LIKE IDENTIFYING WITH COMPETENT GROUPS OR IMPORTANT PEOPLE.
• I AM ATTRACTED TO BEING WITH IMPORTANT OR POWERFUL PEOPLE.
• PEOPLE HAVE SAID I EXAGGERATE TOO MUCH AND AM OVERLY • I TRY TO PRESENT MYSELF WELL AND MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION.
EMOTIONAL. • FINANCIAL SECURITY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR ME.
• I GENERALLY FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT MYSELF.
• PEOPLE OFTEN LOOK TO ME TO RUN THE SHOW.

• I LIKE TO STAND OUT IN SOME WAY.

 9
“TYPE FOUR” “TYPE FIVE”

CHECK WHAT DESCRIBES YOU WHEN YOU WERE (OR IF YOU ARE NOW) UNDER CHECK WHAT DESCRIBES YOU WHEN YOU WERE (OR IF YOU ARE NOW) UNDER
THE AGE OF 25. THE AGE OF 25.

• BEING UNDERSTOOD IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. • I LEARN FROM OBSERVING OR READING AS OPPOSED TO DOING.
• MY FRIENDS SAY THEY ENJOY MY WARMTH AND MY DIFFERENT WAY OF
LOOKING AT LIFE. • IT’S HARD TO EXPRESS MY FEELINGS IN THE MOMENT.
• I CAN BECOME NONFUNCTIONAL FOR HOURS, DAYS, OR WEEKS WHEN I’M • I GET LOST IN MY INTERESTS AND LIKE TO BE ALONE WITH THEM FOR
DEPRESSED.
• I AM VERY SENSITIVE TO CRITICAL REMARKS AND FEEL HURT AT THE HOURS.
TINIEST SLIGHT. • I USUALLY EXPERIENCE MY FEELINGS MORE DEEPLY WHEN I’M BY
• IT REALLY AFFECTS ME EMOTIONALLY WHEN I READ UPSETTING STORIES
IN THE NEWSPAPER. MYSELF.
• MY IDEALS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. • SOMETIMES I FEEL GUILTY THAT I’M NOT GENEROUS ENOUGH.
• I CRY EASILY. BEAUTY, LOVE, SORROW, AND PAIN REALLY TOUCH ME.
• MY MELANCHOLY MOODS ARE REAL AND IMPORTANT. I DON’T • I TRY TO CONCEAL MY SENSITIVITY TO CRITICISM AND JUDGMENT.
NECESSARILY WANT TO GET OUT OF THEM. • BRASH, LOUD PEOPLE OFFEND ME.
• I OFTEN LONG FOR WHAT OTHERS HAVE.
• I TRY TO SUPPORT MY FRIENDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE IN CRISIS. • CONFORMING IS DISTASTEFUL TO ME.
• I LIVE IN THE PAST AND IN THE FUTURE MORE THAN IN PRESENT-DAY • I LIKE TO ASSOCIATE WITH OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERTISE IN MY FIELD.
REALITY.
• I PLACE GREAT IMPORTANCE ON MY INTUITION. • I LIKE HAVING A TITLE (doctor, professor, administrator) TO FEEL PROUD OF.
• I TRY TO CONTROL PEOPLE AT TIMES. • I HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF BEING NEGATIVE, CYNICAL, AND SUSPICIOUS.
• I HATE INSINCERITY AND LACK OF INTEGRITY IN OTHERS.
• WHEN I FEEL SOCIALLY UNCOMFORTABLE, I OFTEN WISH I COULD
• I HAVE SPENT YEARS LONGING FOR THE GREAT LOVE OF MY LIFE TO COME
ALONG. DISAPPEAR.
• I FOCUS ON WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME RATHER THAN ON WHAT IS RIGHT.
• I AM OFTEN RELUCTANT TO BE ASSERTIVE OR AGGRESSIVE.
• I LIKE TO BE SEEN AS ONE OF A KIND.
• I AM ALWAYS SEARCHING FOR MY TRUE SELF. • I DISLIKE MOST SOCIAL EVENTS. I’D RATHER BE ALONE OR WITH A FEW
• SOMETIMES I FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND DIFFERENT, LIKE AN PEOPLE I KNOW WELL.
ISOLATED OUTSIDER, EVEN WHEN I’M WITH MY FRIENDS.
• I SOMETIMES FEEL SHY OR AWKWARD.
• WHEN PEOPLE TELL ME WHAT TO DO, I OFTEN BECOME REBELLIOUS AND
DO, OR WISH I COULD DO, THE OPPOSITE. • I GET TIRED WHEN I’M WITH PEOPLE FOR TOO LONG.
• I FEEL DIFFERENT FROM MOST PEOPLE.
• I FEEL INVISIBLE. IT SURPRISES ME WHEN ANYONE NOTICES ANYTHING
ABOUT ME.
• I DON’T LOOK FOR MATERIAL POSSESSIONS TO MAKE ME HAPPY.
• ACTING CALM IS A DEFENSE. IT MAKES ME FEEL STRONGER.
 10
“TYPE SIX” “TYPE SEVEN”

CHECK WHAT DESCRIBES YOU WHEN YOU WERE (OR IF YOU ARE NOW) UNDER CHECK WHAT DESCRIBES YOU WHEN YOU WERE (OR IF YOU ARE NOW) UNDER
THE AGE OF 25. THE AGE OF 25.

• I AM NERVOUS AROUND CERTAIN AUTHORITY FIGURES. • I ENJOY LIFE. I AM GENERALLY UNINHIBITED AND OPTIMISTIC.
• I DON’T LIKE BEING MADE TO FEEL OBLIGATED OR BEHOLDEN.
• I AM OFTEN PLAGUED BY DOUBT. • I AM BUSY AND ENERGETIC. I SELDOM GET BORED IF LEFT TO DO WHAT I
• I LIKE TO HAVE CLEAR-CUT GUIDELINES TO KNOW WHERE I STAND. WANT.
• I OFTEN TAKE VERBAL OR PHYSICAL RISKS.
• I AM ALWAYS ON THE ALERT FOR DANGER. • I USUALLY PICK UPBEAT FRIENDS WHO HAVE SIMILAR GOALS.
• I TAKE THINGS TOO SERIOUSLY. • I’M NOT AN EXPERT IN ANY ONE THING, BUT I CAN DO MANY THINGS
WELL.
• I CONSTANTLY QUESTION MYSELF ABOUT WHAT MIGHT GO WRONG. • MY STYLE IS TO GO BACK AND FORTH FROM ONE TASK TO ANOTHER. I
• I OFTEN EXPERIENCE CRITICISM AS AN ATTACK. LIKE TO KEEP MOVING.
• I SEEM TO LET GO OF GRIEVANCES AND RECOVER FROM LOSS FASTER
• I CAN BE A VERY HARD WORKER. THAN MOST PEOPLE I KNOW.
• MY FRIENDS THINK OF ME AS LOYAL, SUPPORTIVE, AND COMPASSIONATE. • I LIKE MYSELF AND I’M GOOD TO MYSELF.
• I LIKE PEOPLE AND THEY USUALLY LIKE ME.
• I’VE BEEN TOLD I HAVE A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOUR. • I USUALLY MANAGE TO GET WHAT I WANT.
• I FOLLOW RULES CLOSELY (a phobic trait); OR OFTEN BREAK RULES (a counter • I VALUE QUICK WIT.
• I AM IDEALISTIC. I WANT TO CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING TO THE WORLD.
phobic trait).
• I VACILLATE BETWEEN FEELING COMMITTED AND WANTING MY FREEDOM
• THE MORE VULNERABLE I AM IN MY INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP, THE MORE AND INDEPENDENCE.
• I AM OFTEN AT EASE IN GROUPS.
ANXIOUS AND TESTY I BECOME.
• WHEN PEOPLE ARE UNHAPPY, I USUALLY TRY TO GET THEM TO LIGHTEN
• I TEND TO EITHER PROCRASTINATE OR PLUNGE HEADLONG, EVEN INTO UP AND SEE THE BRIGHT SIDE.
DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. • I LOVE EXCITEMENT AND TRAVEL.
• SOMETIMES I FEEL INFERIOR AND SOMETIMES I FEEL SUPERIOR TO
• I AM VERY AWARE OF PEOPLE TRYING TO MANIPULATE ME WITH OTHERS.
FLATTERY. • I USUALLY SAY WHATEVER IS ON MY MIND. SOMETIMES IT GETS ME INTO
TROUBLE.
• I LIKE PREDICTABILITY. • I CAN MAKE GREAT SACRIFICES TO HELP PEOPLE.
• I HAVE SABOTAGED MY OWN SUCCESS.
• I CAN SUPPORT PEOPLE THROUGH THICK AND THIN.
• BEING NEAT AND ORDERLY HELPS ME FEEL MORE IN CONTROL OF MY LIFE.
• I DISLIKE PRETENSION IN PEOPLE
 11
“TYPE EIGHT” “TYPE NINE”

CHECK WHAT DESCRIBES YOU WHEN YOU WERE (OR IF YOU ARE NOW) UNDER CHECK WHAT DESCRIBES YOU WHEN YOU WERE (OR IF YOU ARE NOW) UNDER
THE AGE OF 25. THE AGE OF 25.

• I CAN BE ASSERTIVE AND AGGRESSIVE WHEN I NEED TO BE. • I OFTEN FEEL IN UNION WITH NATURE AND PEOPLE.
• MAKING CHOICES CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT. I CAN SEE THE ADVANTAGES
• I CAN’T STAND BEING USED OR MANIPULATED.
AND DISADVANTAGES OF EVERY OPTION.
• I VALUE BEING DIRECT AND HONEST; I PUT MY CARDS ON THE TABLE. • IT IS SOMETIMES HARD FOR ME TO KNOW WHAT I WANT WHEN I’M WITH
OTHER PEOPLE.
• I AM AN INDIVIDUALIST AND NONCONFORMIST.
• OTHERS SEE ME AS PEACEFUL, BUT INSIDE I OFTEN FEEL ANXIOUS.
• I RESPECT PEOPLE WHO STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES. • INSTEAD OF TACKLING WHAT I REALLY NEED TO DO, I SOMETIMES DO
LITTLE, UNIMPORTANT THINGS.
• I WILL GO TO ANY LENGTHS TO PROTECT THOSE I LOVE.
• WHEN THERE IS UNPLEASANTNESS GOING ON AROUND ME, I JUST TRY TO
• I FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. THINK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE FOR A WHILE.
• I USUALLY PREFER WALKING AWAY FROM A DISAGREEMENT TO
• I SUPPORT THE UNDERDOG.
CONFRONTING SOMEONE.
• MAKING DECISIONS IS NOT DIFFICULT FOR ME. • IF I DON’T HAVE SOME ROUTINE AND STRUCTURE IN MY DAY, I GET
ALMOST NOTHING DONE.
• SELF-RELIANCE AND INDEPENDENCE ARE IMPORTANT.
• I TEND TO PUT THINGS OFF UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE, BUT I ALMOST
• I HAVE OVERINDULGED IN FOOD AND DRUGS. ALWAYS GET THEM DONE.
• I LIKE TO BE CALM AND UNHURRIED, BUT SOMETIMES I OVEREXTEND
• SOME PEOPLE TAKE OFFENCE AT MY BLUNTNESS. MYSELF.
• WHEN I ENTER A NEW GROUP, I KNOW IMMEDIATELY WHO THE MOST • WHEN PEOPLE TRY TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO OR TRY TO CONTROL ME, I
GET STUBBORN.
POWERFUL PERSON IS.
• I LIKE TO BE SURE TO HAVE TIME IN MY DAY FOR RELAXING.
• I WORK HARD AND I KNOW HOW TO GET THINGS DONE. • SOMETIMES I FEEL SHY AND UNSURE OF MYSELF.
• I ENJOY JUST HANGING OUT WITH MY PARTNER OR FRIENDS.
• IN A GROUP I AM SOMETIMES AN OBSERVER RATHER THAN A
• SUPPORTIVE AND HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIPS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO
PARTICIPANT. ME.
• I AM VERY SENSITIVE ABOUT BEING JUDGED AND TAKE CRITICISM
• I LIKE EXCITEMENT AND STIMULATION.
PERSONALLY.
• SOMETIMES I LIKE TO SPAR WITH PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN I FEEL SAFE. • I LIKE TO LISTEN AND GIVE PEOPLE SUPPORT.
• I FOCUS MORE ON THE POSITIVE THAN ON THE NEGATIVE.
• I AM VULNERABLE AND LOVING WHEN I REALLY TRUST SOMEONE.
• I HAVE TROUBLE GETTING RID OF THINGS.
• OVERLY NICE OR FLATTERING PEOPLE BOTHER ME. • I OPERATE UNDER THE PRINCIPLE OF INERTIA: IF I’M GOING, IT’S EASY TO
KEEP GOING, BUT I SOMETIMES HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING STARTED.
• PRETENCE IS PARTICULARLY DISTASTEFUL TO ME.
 12

THE ENNEAGRAM CENTRES

(M. Beesing, R.J. Nogosek, & P.H. O’Leary)

According to the Enneagram system, the self has three centres for functioning with the use of
conscious and dynamic energy. These centres are designated as: the gut centre, heart centre, and the
head centre:

The Gut Centre: (8, 9, 1)

• functions with instincts and habits. It is also called the instinctive centre or the vital
• centre. It is concerned with being. It moves spontaneously, often in reaction to external stimulus.
• To live on the instinctive level is especially an experience of living in one’s body and letting the
body react to a present situation.
• Those in gut centre have equally developed inner and outer world in which they live alternately.
They move from one to the other quite instinctively (Metz/Burchill)

The Heart Centre: (2, 3, 4)

• functions on the level of feelings. It is also called emotional or feeling center. It is mainly
concerned about relationships with other persons
• to live on a feeling level is experienced as a way of achieving personal encounter with others.
• Those in heart centre experience a very large outer world and a small inner world. They are
constantly being pulled out of themselves by the world around them and being invited to engage
in it (Metz/Burchill).

The Head Centre: (5, 6, 7)

• functions on the level of thinking and reflecting. It is also called the intellectual or thinking
centre, or the doing centre.
• To think means to step back from reality as perceived and to reconstruct it according to some
pattern or meaning. Such thinking is related to doing because action is the result of a conscious
decision.
• To live on a thinking level is to experience being reflective within oneself and to act with
considerable deliberation.
• Those in this centre have a large inner world and a small outer world. From their hiding place,
they tend to view reality without engaging in it. The difficulty is with being in the world. There is
a lot going on inside and they must often struggle to get it outside (Metz/Burchill).

It is characteristic of each centre to be able to exercise not only its own proper function, but also can
substitute for one or both of the other centres.

In the Enneagram personality types the ego consciousness has chosen some one of three centres as
a way to be a person to the detriment of the functioning of the other centres. This results in an
imbalance in functioning as a human being. Ideally the three centres are used interdependently with
each center used for its own functioning in any given situation. No one centre predominates by
regularly substituting its functioning of the other two as that disrupts the inner harmony of energy,
narrows down the experience of being a person and creates an imbalance or awkwardness in the self.

Enneagram Workshop: Centres

 THE FACES OF ANGER
13
The Face of 8 (The Asserter, Avenger) 9 (The Peaceful One) 1 (The Perfectionist)
POWER AND STRENGTH. I am created in the PEACE, THE PEACE OF GOD, SHALOM. This PERFECTION. God is all perfect, and what God
Gift image of the God of Power and Might. To be really is what life is about - being peaceful and everything expects of me is that I too should try in my own
alive is to be powerful and strong. I sense that this is being at peace. way to be perfect. "Be perfect as your Heavenly
the kind of person I am called to be. Father is perfect."
Power becomes an idol. I worship it, and struggle for it Making an idol of needing to be at peace and to be Making an idol of perfectionism. Everything has to
Distortion in order to be able to take care of myself, and others left at peace; a determination not be let anything be perfect, or at least better.
who are in need of my protection. disturb or upset me.
Appearance Aggressive looking, ready for a fight. Laid back Tight faced
I was angry at being taken advantage of as a child, and The only way I could survive in the face of being I was a good little boy/girl. My natural wishes were
Childhood angry when other weaker children were bullied. I ignored was to numb myself from these painful forbidden when I was young, so I focused on being
resolved never to show any weakness and fight it out feelings. I turned my attention away from my real correct in the eyes of others. I remember being
when necessary. I was loved for standing up for myself wishes to small comforts and substitutes for love. painfully criticized and had to monitor myself very
and others. I usually got my way. closely to avoid any further criticism. I would do
little jobs around the house to show how good I
was.
• I assume everyone else experiences life in the • I settle into my life and try to make it, and keep • I am never really satisfied: nothing is ever good
Adulthood same way, after all there are a lot of trouble it, as trouble free as possible. enough, and I am continually resentful of this.
makers out there, and we have to take care of • I make sure I don't get too worked up about • I work hard to improve myself, and others, and
ourselves. Survival is the first rule. anything, and try to keep things calm both in I am habitually frustrated and disappointed
• Life is a struggle with unjust forces, and power has myself and all around me. I go along with other with the results.
to be used either in defense or attack. people's agendas, and often wonder in the middle • There is one right way, and that is mine.
• I come to life at the first hint of trouble or conflict. how I got there. • I pride myself on behaving well and judge
I love to challenge anyone I think is in the wrong, • I contain my deep rooted anger at not being others who don't.
and I will gladly take up the challenge on behalf of heard, by not making a choice if I can help it, and • Should is a frequent word in my vocabulary.
others, esp. those I perceive as vulnerable. Keep procrastinating as long as possible. I sense there • I am very critical and quick to see the flaws
your distance when I am angry. is a smouldering volcano inside of me, and I have and faults in others (and in myself).
• Those holding power will hardly dare to confront to ensure it is never given a change to show • Work must be done first, and pleasure can only
me, but I will confront them when they abuse their itself, by sitting on my feelings. come later.
power and make others suffer. • Far from being a gift, Peace has become • I am my worried self at home, but playful when
• The distortion is clear: I experience power as a something I search for, and which I am I am away from it all.
weapon that I use to take care of myself and determined to keep for myself.
others. I am like a bulldozer. • Instead of being a source of Peace, a
• There is no place for weakness, gentleness, or Peacemaker, I settle into a way of living my own
compassion. little world, designed to preserve my peace at any
price.
Avoidance Any sign of weakness or chink in the armour. Conflict (internal or external) Anger
• I am uncomfortable with the above-mentioned • I avoid any experience/situation in which I'd • I hide my anger and don't acknowledge it to
qualities of weakness, gentleness, and mercy, and become involved in conflict, or trouble of any myself.
do everything in my power to avoid them. kind that would upset me. • It seeps out in a steady undercurrent of
• I avoid any situation that might demand the above • I'd rather say YES than NO and run the risk of frustration and resentment that things are not
qualities from me, and will try to avoid displaying open anger. what they should be. Little carping remarks
 14
any emotion. • My decision is to make NO decision, and sit on betray it, and signs of irritation.
• I avoid moving towards people with signs of the fence. • I can't admit to being angry because that
warmth and affection, as this could be interpreted • I act through habit, and often repeat familiar wouldn't be right, but when I do get angry then
as a sign of weakness. solutions. I am in the right.
• I can waste a lot of time in unimportant things, in • My rare ventilation of anger is volcanic, but it
order to avoid something more important and feels very liberating. It releases the pressure
potentially conflict laden. (also compulsive behaviour) from
• I procrastinate because my mind is often stuffed unacknowledged needs. I have difficulty in
with unresolved prior questions. recognizing real needs that don't conform to
the standard of correctness.
• The process of conversion begins with recognizing • This begins with me recognizing my avoidance • This begins in letting go of my critical and
Conversion and embracing what I most fear and despise in patterns and entering those situations and judgmental habits.
myself and others. embracing them, which I have been avoiding all • I must learn to accept reality as it is, and people
• I begin to recognize that true power, the Power of along because I saw them as threatening to my as they are.
God, is revealed in mercy, gentleness, and peace. • Nothing is ever perfect, and it won't be as long
compassion, and thus I begin to cultivate a more • I face the challenges and enter into active as life goes on.
caring and nurturing attitude in myself and involvement. • I must let my anger be used for constructive
towards others. • I become a peacemaker. purposes.
• Above all I need to accept myself as I am.
• I must acknowledge my sinful and resentful
pursuit of perfection. I must take up God's call
to perfection, which is a call to create and
celebrate life. "And God looked at what he had
made and saw that it was good."
 THE FACES OF ANXIETY
15
The Face of 2 (The Helper) 3 (The Performer, The Achiever) 4 (The Unique One, The Romantic)
LOVE AND COMPASSION. I reflect and identify EFFICIENCY AND ORGANISATIONAL UNIQUENESS, BEING SPECIAL,
Gift strongly and instinctively with the Love and ABILITY. A reflection of the wonderful creative DIFFERENT. Each of us is different, but I am
Compassion of God. I feel a special call to radiate power of God as displayed in the complexity and more acutely aware of this than others. I reflect
God's goodness, and to reach out to others with an harmony of the Universe. I feel most alive when I am something of the uniqueness of the Creator. "I am
ever-ready helping hand. accomplishing a complex and demanding task. the Lord your God, there is none like me." I have a
deep-rooted sense of being different. You will never
know me or really understand me. There will never
be another "me". I am often quite talented and
artistic.
Helping and giving is idolized and is no longer a I make an idol of needing to be challenged to be My idol is needing to experience myself as different.
Distortion reflection of God's Love and Compassion. I need to be efficient, and needing to be successful in all that I I achieve this in myriad ways. I set myself apart, or
helping, giving, and doing for others. I need the love undertake. feel that I am already set apart from others by my
and affirmation which comes from this. uniqueness. I suffer a lot because of this as I never
really feel that I fit in.
Appearance Concerned looking Bright and friendly There is a certain affectation about me, as if I am
always rehearsing how I will be.
I learned that the only way to gain the love of my As a child I was prized for my achievements. When I As a child, I felt abandoned. Maybe because one of
Childhood parents and others was to be helpful. I was often quite came home from School the question was always my parents died or left, or was frequently absent. I
anxious as to whether I was reading their moods "how well have you done?" I was rewarded for knew I couldn't count on him or her for emotional
properly and meeting their needs. success and encouraged to work hard for recognition. support. As a result I was deeply anxious about
I knew that I had to win to deserve love. whether I was of any worth, or whether I would be
seen as of any value. Happiness was associated with
disappointment. Any thoughts of happiness
triggered the fear of abandonment. I resolved not to
get involved in any emotional or intimate
relationship. I filled my life with imagination and
fantasy. I became attached to the promise of
affection and love, and played with the desire to be
close and so be destroyed. I dwelt in a state of
melancholy and moody nostalgia, often filled with
rage at the parent who had caused such grief.
• I need to be the one that others turn to for help, • I have to be busy and to be seen to be efficient • I find it difficult to accept myself as I am, or a
Adulthood and I am good at anticipating their needs. and successful. I suspend my emotions and situation as I find it. I am always ready to move
• It isn't what I do, but for whom! identify with what I do. on in search of that ideal situation which I so
• I find it very difficult to receive help for myself, • I show my love for others by doing things with desire.
and almost impossible to ask for it. them. • I spend a lot of my time living out of fantasies
• I am proud to be known as a caring and warm • I am my role and am very conscious of my rather than the dull reality in which I find
hearted person, and am anxious that others will position and my image. myself.
appreciate me. I work hard at it. • I am inclined to identify so strongly with my • I am always rehearsing the part I want to play--
• I will tell you that you are someone special and image or role that I deceive myself and others the part that will really be me, but the chance
never miss an opportunity to do or say something into believing that is who I am. I am like a rarely comes, and if it does, I am not quite
ready.
 16
that will make you feel good. I have a subtle way of performer on stage.
making you feel grateful to me for what I have done. • I am like a chameleon, turning into whatever • I envy others who seem so much more natural
• Beneath all my concern for others is my need to be image will win approval from those I respect. and spontaneous than me. I would like to be
important to them. I must be at the centre of your • I don't have much tolerance for underachievers. like that but I feel I have to work at it, and end
life. • I will instinctively fend off criticism and even, if up playing a part.
necessary, suppress or edit the truth if it reflects • I live with a longing for what was or could have
badly on my work or my public image, or the been, and dwell a lot in memories of past hurts.
role or institution with which I have become • My experience of being different from
identified. everyone else is laced with a good dose of
• Most often I won't examine my feelings about the melancholy.
work in hand, but just get on with the job, and
not think about it.
Avoidance My Own needs Failure Ordinary feelings, joy/sorrow
• It's really my day off, but I will forego it, and help • I shun failure and find it difficult to admit to ever • I am a creature of ups and downs, highs and
you. having failed, because I identify so strongly with lows, always searching for intensity in my
• If there is something to be done in the community, what I do. I am a success or I am nothing. feelings.
I will be there up front, giving up my free time. • At the root of this is an urgent need to be loved • I don't care much for ordinary everyday
• I have something of a Messiah complex. You need and accepted by others; but I feel I have to earn experiences of simple sadness and joy.
my help, but I don't need yours. I don't have any this, and I aim to do that by winning approval for Everything has to be spiced up. I dramatise and
needs. my achievements. exaggerate my feelings. They are special and
• I feel loved and approved for what I do, not not like those of other people. I can turn
simply for being myself. ordinary suffering into sth tragic - "can
anyone's sorrow be like mine?"
• I must first recognise how distorted and one sided • The process of conversion begins with my • I must begin with acceptance of what is
Conversion my love and service is. willingness to recognize that I am not all I ordinary in myself and in the world around me,
• I need to open myself to receive from others, and pretend to be, and that there is a great deal more and realize that it is an essential part of the
be comfortable in this. to me than the image I cultivate. whole experience of life.
• I need to move from the pride I feel in my ability • Precisely by accepting my failures, I will be freed • I 've to learn that it is only in embracing all that
to help others, and to recognize that there is no from the sterile pursuit of success at all costs. I am, not just the sides of me which show me
shame in admitting that I have needs too. • Most important of all, I will learn that I am not off to the best advantage, that I can be truly
• I need to recognise that I am in need of God's love loved for what I can do, but for who I am. who I am.
and compassion as well as reflecting it on others. • Above all I must come to the realization that
there is no need to posture or rehearse. All I
need is to be me with all my many gifts and
uniqueness.
 THE FACES OF FEAR 17
The Face of 5 (The Observer) 6 (The Loyal One) 7 (The Adventurer)
WISDOM. A reflection of God who is omniscient and FAITHFULNESS AND FIDELITY. God is JOY. God is joyful and wants everyone to be joyful
Gift sees all things. I have an insatiable appetite for unfailingly faithful, and that is what is asked of us in with him. He looks at his creation and sees that it is
knowledge; I want to know all there is to know, and to life: To be faithful, reliable, and trustworthy. good, and wants us to enjoy it with him.
understand everything.
Such a gift is already distorted when it has been For my own security I need to be in a relationship of Instead of reflecting the joy of God, I make an idol
Distortion isolated or made the primary goal of life, and that is faithfulness, which is now translated into loyalty and of joy, and need to be joyful at all times. Every day
what happens here. Knowledge is my idol. obedience to those in authority. On the other side of must bring new and enjoyable experiences.
the coin, I can be quite rebellious, because I am very
suspicious of the motives of authority.
Appearance Aloof and impenetrable Conservative in style, tense, with a wary and I laugh a lot, and am always sunny. I tend to be
cautious look overweight.
As a child I invented elaborate ways to create a safe My parents were unpredictable. I feared them very I have pleasant memories of my childhood, but
Childhood distance from other people. much and didn't know how to react to them. They usually something fearful happened, which I have
were quite intimidating, and I didn't dare question screened out of my memory. I don't have any
their authority for fear of punishment. I became bitterness. There is a residual fear though that
preoccupied with what is permitted and what is not. I pleasure may be taken away again.
was not able to act on my own behalf and avoided the
frightening aspects of life. At times I deliberately put
myself in danger to find out whether it would terrify
me, so that I would find out how to deal with it.
• I assume that life is something I have to • I feel threatened and expect life to challenge me • I am committed to being happy at all times and
Adulthood understand, and that if I can make sense of it, then at every turn. As a consequence, I look for safety want everyone around to be happy as well; I do
everything will be alright. Life is predictable. and security in external structures: a strong everything possible to keep doom and gloom at
• There is an image of my ego as being a high castle authority and a law-abiding community. I need to bay. I am always game for a party.
with tiny windows at the top. I observe without know the rules. I function well in this kind of • I am an optimist. I cherish and cling to happy
being observed. I live in my mind and adopt a setting, although I will sometimes suspect the memories and am always planning how things
watchful and thoughtful approach to life. I fear group of making too great demands on me. can be better in the future.
emotional engagement. Questions of rank are important to me. • I am always on the lookout for new experiences
• I keep to myself. I need to take in what is • I observe others and watch out for threats to the and purchasing new and better possessions.
happening and I prefer to do that on my own. I am group's well being, and any deviation from the • I enjoy dreaming and making plans. I can get
a bit like a hermit. I am independent. I prefer not rules. I can hardly admit to myself breaking rules very enthusiastic and inspire others to take up
to make any concrete commitments. and I will then deny or project the blame on to these plans. When it comes to working out the
• I enjoy just watching and listening, observing and someone else. details, however, I can easily get bored and
thinking, taking in information and storing it up. • I often feel very unsure of myself and am restless, and leave that to others, while I move
• I have a sense of accomplishment at being able so plagued by doubts and questions. When I can just on to something else that is new and exciting.
easily to detach myself from the needs that obey and adhere to answers held up by tradition • I make friends easily, and we can have good
dominate other people's lives. I don't crave and authority, I am much happier. times together; but I don't want them to become
recognition and success. I am very sensitive to • Sometimes everything comes in on top of me, too dependent on me or make too many
interactions that would make me visible to others. and I either buckle under it, totally intimidated, demands.
• I compartmentalize life into segments, with or I am forced to take up the challenge and prove
different friends and acquaintances in each, who to myself and others that I am not afraid.
 18
are often unaware of each other. • I tend to be wary and cautious; always on guard,
• I find it much easier to take in than to give out, and expecting trouble or something to go wrong. I am
when I do say something I tend to be very highly suspicious. I am habitually tensed up,
economical with words. fearful, and inhibited.
• I just naturally hoard and hold onto all that I can
gather in my pursuit of knowledge and
understanding. I enjoy traveling because it gives
me an opportunity to study other without them
knowing me.
Avoidance Emptiness, the Void Inner fears and doubts Pain and suffering
• Unless I fill the void with new ideas and insights I • I will do anything to avoid being exposed to, or • I make every effort to keep pain and suffering
fear that life won't make sense. getting in touch with questions, doubts, and fears out of my life, and would prefer not to know
• I can't give out because I would lose something. I for which I cannot find an answer outside about them in the world around me.
hold on to what I have made my own. myself. • I look for what is interesting and stimulating,
• I need to gather in a wealth of knowledge because • The more I avoid my inner experience, the more and avoid the mundane.
otherwise I am of little value. rigid and unbending I will become in my • I don't know how to handle unpleasant
"fidelity." confrontations and will move away from it or
• I will often procrastinate because the hazards laugh it off. If I am angry I will ridicule the
involved loom larger to me than the promise of problem.
success. • I avoid fear by getting into multiple activities,
which in turn prevents commitment and
possible pain.
Conversion • I must allow myself to experience, to feel, the • I need to enter into my doubts and fears, to come • I have to learn to stay with pain, my own or
emptiness I fear, and to recognize that what I am closer to my inner experience, and to begin to someone else's, and accept it as part of life, and
doing to cover it up, is both futile and damaging. listen to and trust myself, instead of always not something to be laughed off or explained
• Acknowledging my fear will open me to the looking outside of myself. away.
realization that the emptiness I feel, cannot be • The faithfulness to which I am called invites me • Life is good, but it isn't a bundle of laughs. It is
filled by knowledge but by active involvement in to take responsibility for myself, and be guided a gift to be received and enjoyed as it is given,
life. I must allow some mysteries to be known to by my own God-given authority. rather than searching for the moments of joy
God alone, and to know that the Incarnate Wisdom only.
is the Word Made Flesh, at the service of others.
 ENNEAGRAM AND RELATIONSHIPS
(Renee Baron & Elizabeth Wagele)
19

Type How To Get Along With Me Relationships What I like About Being … (personality type) What's Hard About Being a …

ƒ Take your share of the responsibility so I don't Ones at their best in a relationship are ƒ Being self-disciplined and able to accomplish ƒ Being disappointed with myself or
end up with all the work. loyal, dedicated, conscientious, and a great deal. others when my expectations are not
• Acknowledge my achievements. helpful. They are well balanced and have • Working hard to make the world a better met.
• I'm hard on myself. Reassure me that I'm fine a good sense of humour. place. • Feeling burdened by too much
the way I am. • Having high standards and ethics; not responsibility
• Tell me that you value my advice. Ones at their worst in a relationship are compromising myself. • Thinking that what I do is never good
• Be fair and considerate, as I am. critical, argumentative, nit-picking, and • Being reasonable, responsible, and dedicated enough
1 • Apologize if you have been unthoughtful. It uncompromising. They have high in everything I do. • Not being appreciated for what I do
will help me to forgive. expectations of others. • Being able to put facts together, coming to for people.
• Gently encourage me to lighten up and to good understandings, and figuring out wise • Being upset because others aren't
laugh at myself when I get uptight, but hear solutions. trying as hard as I am
my worries first. • Being the best I can be and bringing out the • Obsessing about what I did or what I
best in other people should do
• Being tense, anxious, and taking
things too seriously
• Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific. Twos at their best in a relationship are • Being able to relate easily to people and to • Not being able to say no.
• Share fun times with me. attentive, appreciative, generous, warm, make friends. • Having low self-esteem
• Take interest in my problems, though I will playful and nurturing. Twos make their • Knowing what people need and being able to • Feeling drained from overdoing for
probably try to focus on yours. partners feel special and loved. make their lives better. others
• Let me know that I am important and special • Being generous, caring, and warm. • Not doing things I really like to do for
to you. Twos at their worst in a relationship are • Being sensitive to and perceptive about myself for fear of being selfish.
• Be gentle if you decide to criticize me. controlling, possessive, needy, and others' feelings. • Criticizing myself for not feeling as
2 • Reassure me that I am interesting to you. insincere. Since they have trouble asking • Being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and loving as I think I should.
directly, they tend to manipulate to get •
• Reassure me often that you love me. having a good sense of humour. Being upset that others don't tune in to
what they want.
• Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to me as much as I tune in to them.
be seen with me. • Working so hard to be tactful and
considerate that I suppress my real
feelings.
• Leave me alone when I am doing my work. Threes at their best in a relationship • Being optimistic, friendly, and upbeat. • Having to put up with inefficiency and
• Give me honest, but not unduly critical or value and accept their partners. They are • Providing well for my family. incompetence.
judgmental, feedback. playful, giving, responsible, and well • Being able to recover quickly from setbacks • The fear of not being--or of not being
• Help me keep my environment harmonious regarded by others in the community. and to charge ahead to the next challenge. seen as--successful.
and peaceful. • Staying informed, knowing what's going on. • Comparing myself to people who do
3 • Don't burden me with negative emotions. Threes at their worst in a relationship are • Being competent and able to get things to things better.
• Tell me you like being around me. preoccupied with work and projects. work efficiently. • Struggling to hang on to my success.
• Tell me when you're proud of me or my They are self absorbed, defensive, • Being able to motivate people. • Putting on facades in order to impress
accomplishments. impatient, dishonest, and controlling. people.
• Always being "on." It's exhausting.
 20
• Give me plenty of compliments. They mean a Fours at their best in a relationship are • My ability to find meaning in life and to • Experiencing dark moods of
lot to me. empathic, supportive, gentle, playful, experience feelings at a deep level. emptiness and despair.
• Be a supportive friend or partner. Help me to passionate, and witty. They are self- • My ability to establish warm connections • Feelings of self-hatred and shame;
4 learn to love and value myself. revealing and bond easily. with people. believing I don't deserve to be loved.
• Respect me for my special gifts of intuition • Admiring what is noble, truthful, and • Feeling guilty when I disappoint
and vision. Fours at their worst in a relationship are beautiful in life. people.
• Though I don't always want to be cheered up too self-absorbed, jealous, emotionally • My creativity, intuition, and sense of humour. • Feeling hurt or attacked when
when I'm feeling melancholy, I sometimes like needy, moody, self-righteous, and overly • Being unique and being seen as unique by someone misunderstands me.
to have someone lighten me up a little. critical. They become hurt and feel others. • Expecting too much from myself and
• Don't tell me I'm too sensitive or that I'm rejected easily. • Having aesthetic sensibilities. life.
overreacting! • Being able to easily pick up the feelings of • Fearing being abandoned.
people around me. • Obsessing over resentments.
• Longing for what I don't have.

• Be independent, not clingy. Fives at their best in a relationship are • Standing back and viewing life objectively. • Being slow to put my knowledge and
• Speak in a straightforward and brief manner. kind, perceptive, open-minded, self- • Coming to a thorough understanding: insights out in the world.
• I need time alone to process my feelings and sufficient, and trustworthy. perceiving causes and effects. • Feeling bad when I act defensive or
thoughts. • My sense of integrity: doing what I think is like a know-it-all.
• Remember that if I seem aloof, distant, or Fives at their worst in a relationship are right and not being influenced by social • Being pressured to be with people
arrogant, it may be that I am feeling contentious, suspicious, withdrawn, and pressure. when I don't want to be.
uncomfortable. negative. They are on their guard against • Not being caught up in material possession • Watching others with better social
5 • Make me feel welcome, but not too intensely, being engulfed. and status. skills, but less intelligence or technical
or I might doubt your sincerity. • Being calm in a crisis. skill, do better professionally.
• If I become irritated when I have to repeat • Having trouble expressing some of my
things, it may be because it was such an effort thoughts succinctly.
to get my thoughts out in the first place.
• Don't come on like a bulldozer.
• Help me to avoid my pet peeves: big parties,
other people's loud music, overdone emotions,
and intrusions on my privacy.

• Be direct and clear. Sixes at their best in a relationship are • Being committed and faithful to family and • The constant push and pull involved in
• Listen to me carefully. warm, playful, open, loyal, supportive, friends trying to make up my mind.
• Don't judge me for my anxiety. honest, fair, and reliable. • Being responsible and hardworking. • Procrastinating because of fear of
• Work things through with me. • Being compassionate toward others. failures; having little confidence in
• Reassure me that everything is OK between Sixes at their worst in a relationship are • Having intellect and wit. myself.
us. suspicious, controlling, inflexible, and • Fearing being abandoned or taken
6 • Laugh and make jokes with me. sarcastic. They either withdraw or put on Being Counterphobic advantage of.
• Gently push me toward new experiences.
a tough act when threatened. • Exhausting myself by worrying and
• Try not to overreact to my overreacting. • Being a nonconformist. scanning for danger.
• Confronting danger bravely. • Wishing I had a rule book at work so I
• Being direct and assertive. could do everything right.
• Being too critical of myself when I
haven't lived up to my expectations.
 • Give me companionship, affection, and
freedom. Sevens at their best in a relationship are • Being optimistic and not letting life's troubles • Not having enough time to do all the
• Engage with me in stimulating conversation lighthearted, generous, outgoing, caring, get me down. things I want.
and laughter. and fun. They introduce their friends and • Being spontaneous and free-spirited. • Not completing things I start.
• Appreciate my grand visions and listen to my loved ones to new activities and • Being outspoken and outrageous. It's part of • Not being able to profit from the
stories. adventures. the fun. benefits that come from specializing;
7
• Don't try to change my style. Accept me the • Being generous and trying to make the world not making a commitment to a career.
way I am. Sevens at their worst in a relationship are a better place. • Having a tendency to be ungrounded;
• Be responsible for yourself. I dislike clingy or narcissistic, opinionated, defensive, and • Having the guts to take risks and to try getting lost in plans or fantasies.
needy people. distracted. They are often ambivalent exciting adventures. • Feeling confined when I'm in a one-to-
• Don't tell me what to do. about being tied down to a relationship. • Having such varied interests and abilities. one relationship.
Women Eights sometimes have a hard time
• Stand up for yourself … and me. Eights in a relationship are loyal, caring, • Being independent and self-reliant. in our society because their strength and
• Be confident, strong, and direct. positive, playful, truthful, • Being able to take charge and meet boldness are considered "masculine" traits.
• Don't gossip about me or betray my trust. straightforward, committed, generous, challenges head on.
• Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and and supportive. • Being courageous, straightforward, and • Overwhelming people with my
acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side. honest. bluntness; scaring them away when I
• Give me space to be alone. Eights at their worst in a relationship are • Getting all the enjoyment I can out of life. don't intend to.
8 • Acknowledge the contributions I make, but demanding, arrogant, combative, • Supporting, empowering, and protecting • Being restless and impatient with
don't flatter me. possessive, uncompromising, and quick those close to me other' incompetence.
• I often speak in an assertive way. Don't
to find fault. • Upholding just causes. • Sticking my neck out for people and
automatically assume it's a personal attack. receiving no appreciation for it.
• When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try • Never forgetting injuries or injustices.
to remember that's just the way I am. • Putting too much pressure on myself.
• Getting high blood pressure when
people don't obey the rules or when
things don't go right.
• If you want me to do something, how you ask
is important. I especially don't like Nines at their best in a relationship are • Being nonjudgmental and accepting. • Being judged and misunderstood for
expectations or pressure. kind, gentle, reassuring, supportive, • Caring for and being concerned about others. being placid and/or indecisive.
• I like to listen and to be of service, but don't loyal, and nonjudgmental. • Being able to relax and have a good time. • Being critical of myself for lacking
take advantage of this. • Knowing that most people enjoy my initiative and discipline.
• Listen until I finish speaking, even though I Nines at their worst in a relationship are company; I'm easy to be around. • Being too sensitive to criticism; taking
meander a bit. stubborn, passive-aggressive, • My ability to see many different sides of an every raised eyebrow and twitch of the
• Give me time to finish things and make unassertive, overly accommodating, and issue and to be a good mediator and mouth personally.
decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and defensive. facilitator. • Being confused about what I really
9 nonjudgmentally. • My heightened awareness of sensations, want.
• Ask me questions to help me get clear. aesthetics, and the here and now • Caring too much about what others
• Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not • Being able to go with the flow and feel one will think of me.
averse to flattery. with the universe. • Not being listened to or taken
• Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me seriously.
up to my feelings.
• I like a good discussion but not a
confrontation.
• Let me know you like what I've done or said.
• Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of 21
life.
 22

THE ENNEAGRAM WINGS AND ARROWS

1. WINGS

• Each home number (Personality type) has two wings, the number on the left and on
the right. Between the two wings, one is stronger than the other.
• Through the principles of the Enneagram wing, we find an additional insight
regarding our personality whereby we recognise more characteristics in us found in
the dominant wing and few in the less dominant.
• Please read the descriptions of your wings and find out which of the two is your
dominant wing.

2. THE ARROWS

Significance of arrows

• Unconscious dynamic activity in each of us. We can either move to the direction of
the arrow or against it. To move in the direction of the arrow means we assume the
negative characteristic of the given number; moving against the arrow, we assume the
positive characteristic of the given number.
• Moving against the arrow is a path towards our redemption, though this usually
harder and therefore, at times, it requires conscious effort on our part. Moving in the
direction of the arrow does not require a great effort.

Simple guide to remember:

• When we are at our best, we assume the positive characteristic of the number
positioned against the arrow. When we are at our worst, we assume the negative
characteristic of the number positioned in the direction of the arrow.

Lest we forget

Enneagram Workshop: Wings & Arrows

 23

Enneagram Subtypes

Appetitea
Participationb
Unionc

Satisfactory Survivala
Friendshipsb Anxietya
Striving for Unadaptableb
Possession/Devotionc Jealousyc

Defensea Privilegea
Unselfishb Ambitiousb
Susceptibilityc Seduction/
Assaultc

a Securitya
Warmth
Prestigeb
Dutyb
Masculinity/
Strength/Beautyc
Femininityc

Retreata Resistancea
Totemsb Shameb
Confidencec Competitionc

Legend:
a
Self-preservation Subtypes
b
Social Subtypes
c
Sexual Subtypes

Enneagram Subtypes.
 24

SELF-PRESERVATION SUBTYPES

The basic instinctual concern (the vital question) for this subtype is: How am I? Are my needs
being met? Their basic need, or primary concern, is with their own well being in the first place.
This does not mean that they are necessarily self-centred but that to be able to function well they
must be satisfied that their needs are being met. Their energy is contained or held: they defend
what they see as basic necessities.

TYPE SUBTYPES EXPERIENCE

• Find it unjust when they don’t get what they “deserve”.
• They try to stand up to threats on their “property rights” through control of their
8 SATISFACTORY environment.
SURVIVAL • They can’t bear it when details aren’t “just so”. Today somebody forgets to buy
toothpaste, tomorrow the whole system may collapse.
• Mitigate the menaces of life through narcotics, whether food, drink, or TV.
• Engrossed they can forget, and neglect their own tasks and responsibilities.
9 APPETITE • “Neglected children” who are afraid to come off badly.
• They store up a supply (food, drinks, books, etc.) that calms them.
• They collect things they never use, but are there in case they’re needed.
• Can be totally exhausted after short spurts of activity or after completing minor jobs.
• Anxious about succeeding.
1 ANXIETY • A single error could ruin everything.
• When speaking, they tend to interrupt and correct themselves constantly.
• They assume others have to reward their attention and devotion.
2 PRIVILEGE • Afraid of getting the worst of it if they do not make sure they’re in front.
• Behind the faceless facade stands a person who hates to give up anything.
• Work hard to secure their status, success, and reputation.
3 SECURITY • Money and possessions guarantee the future.
• Social decline and professional and financial failure conjure up anxious visions that
must be kept away by any means.
• Stubbornly refuse to give up their self-image of being something special.
4 RESISTANCE • Feel misunderstood
• Withdraw and suffer in silence.
• Their imagination is ruled by lamenting the tragedy of their existence.
• Need a private sphere to which they can withdraw undisturbed and undistracted by
the expectations or the presence of others.
5 RETREAT • Recharge their batteries so they can better deal with the stress of meeting others.
• They can hide and attend to their often-unusual thoughts.
• Radiate warmth and friendliness in order to disarm potential assailants.
6 WARMTH • Behavior connected with their deep mistrust and resembles that of TWO’s: “If others
like, they won’t attack me.”
• Like to surround themselves with like-minded people who defend the same interests
7 DEFENCE and are enthusiastic about the same goals.
• Family is especially important.
• Group fanatics, any kind of group: “Together we’re unbeatable.”

Self-Preserving personal survival and well being. Social groups and community. Sexual one-to-one relationships and intimacy.
 25

SOCIAL SUBTYPES

The basic instinctual concern of this subtype is: Who am I with? What does the other want or
need? Are they friendly or unfriendly? They enjoy a wide network of friends. They value
affirmation and acclaim from people and groups.

TYPE SUBTYPES EXPERIENCE

• They cultivate friendships..
• In stress, they will want everyone in the group to be happy and will protect the
8 FRIENDSHIPS weaker members.
• When they are in good space they can be open and vulnerable in a group of friends
and very protective of them.
• They have their issue participation.
9 PARTICIPATION • In stress they will profit from the life-energy of other members of the group, and will
dip in and out of activities as the spirit moves them.
• In good space they will be good mediators in the group and will help to unite it.
• One’s are said to be unadaptable.
• In stress this will mean a refusal to identify themselves with a social system they
1 UNADAPTABLE perceive as defective.
• When they are in good space, however, they will be reformers, crusading, and
organising to improve the situation.
• Two’s are said to be ambitious.
2 AMBITIOUS • In stress they will seek out the important people and make sure they are known to
them and have influence with them.
• They seek prestige.
In stress will endeavour to achieve this in the group according to the reactions of the
3 PRESTIGE others, as long as they meet approval.
• In good space they will be well able to rally and mobilise a group and get them to
engage in a task.
• Shame is their dominant feeling.
4 SHAME • In stress they will feel misunderstood by the group, and will be very conscious of
how they appear to the others, fearing rejection.
• In good space they will be good companions, full of charm, and sensitive to others.
• Their overriding need is for Totems.
• In stress this will mean wanting to belong to an intellectual “in group”, and having
5 TOTEMS the titles and degrees that go with that.
• In good space they will help the group to function well, and will contribute to its
quality and authenticity.
• They will greatly concern with duty.
6 DUTY • In stress they will keep the rules in order to gain the approval of the group, and will
be very concerned about violations.
• In good space they will be loyal and supportive of the group.
• They are said to be unselfish.
• In stress this means they will make sacrifices for the group in time of need but be
7 UNSELFISH very aware of the limits this will place on their own possibilities.
• In good space their attention will be turned to the positive outcome, and they will
subordinate their own needs to those of the group with great optimism.
 26

SEXUAL SUBTYPES
The basic concern or preoccupation for this subtype is expressed in the question: Where am I? It arises principally
around issues in one-to-one relationships but comes into play in a variety of contexts in which there is a need to know
where I am, where I am going, do I belong here?

TYPE SUBTYPES EXPERIENCE

• They want to control and possess everything, including their partners.
8 STRIVING FOR • Prepared to return the same devotion when they have the feeling their partner is equal
POSSESSION / to them and will not exploit this “position of power.”
DEVOTION • Proud of their toughness and are the most rebellious of all types.
• Like most of all to live in and through another, be it a person or God.
• Perceive the feelings of others more clearly than their own, and physically sense
9 UNION exactly what the loved one is going through.
• Make their partner happy & become happy themselves through the reflection of this
happiness. But the relationship shouldn’t demand too great an effort.
• Try to control their partners.
• Inside they boil with jealousy and fear of loss, but are unable to admit and express
1 JEALOUSY this “imperfect” feeling.
• Fear that another could be more perfect and therefore more attractive
• Can extend their zeal to their “cause” & be very hot headed, e.g., Paul before his
conversion: “breathing threats & murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1)
• Constantly try to produce signs of affection & closeness, e.g., do everything to create
2 SEDUCTION / an attractive environment for rendezvous.
ASSAULT • Love consists mainly in overcoming obstacles.
• As helpers they are dominant, take others by the hand, & know what’s best for their
clients.
• Try to represent the ideal sexual image of their time or group.
3 MASCULINITY • Play the male or female role perfectly, as required.
/ FEMININITY • Sexual conquests are important for their self-esteem as symbols of success.
• Put their hope in the image that impresses (deceit) & reduce the hope of being
loveable in & for themselves.
• Establish their self-esteem through comparison with others.
• Tempted to beat on their own turf those whose favour they want to win: the other
4 COMPETITION often considers this hostile competition.
• Destructive side becomes apparent when they seduce others & only to drop them
later.
• The successful seduction serves as proof that they are equal or superior to the desired
person.
• Trust only a few other people; share their secrets only in very impt. relationships.
Invite only 1 person whom they really trust into their “fortress.”
5 CONFIDENCE • Sexuality is a non-verbal form of communication that relieves them of the difficult
task of putting their feelings into words.
• They give the impression of being “cool” and self-assured.
• Can seem very convincing to others & thereby gain influence with them
• The vulnerability of an intense relationship mobilises the mistrust of Six
6 STRENGTH / • Man is somewhat counter phobic—tries to prove he’s in control thru certain coldness,
BEAUTY hardness, put-on strength. Woman can play out her power through the art of seduction,
enjoys playing the role of the soft, shy doe that seems unapproachable. In this way they
can attract or repel her “other”.
• Enhance the actual experience of the relationship through distinct fantasies, which are
more important than facts.
7 SUSCEPTIBILITY • Fetishists (fetish = an object or activity that is necessary for or adds to an individual’s
sexual pleasure): a “turn-on” can be more interesting than an experienced, lived
relationship.
• They are open to their partner’s impulses, as long as they do not involve pain, too
much profundity, or strenuous demands.
 27

ENNEAGRAM ON CONVERSION

A CHALLENGE:

Frings Keyes: “The only thing you need to do is to become the person only you can be.”

Thomas Merton: “If you want to identify me, ask me what I think I am living for, in detail, and
ask me what I think is keeping me from living fully for the thing I want to live
for.”
John 10:10 “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

St. Irenaeus: “The glory of God is man fully alive.”

Socrates: “An unexamined life is not worth living.”

“Know thyself.”

+/-
SELF-AWARENESS HOME TRUTHS A -----------B ME ?
Compulsion & Avoidance
Protecting my shadows

helps us to break away from our traps

ENNEAGRAM CONVERSION
Helps us restore our original giftedness

Wakening up
Awareness
CONVERSION Recognition
Acceptance

Carl Jung: “Unconsciousness of one’s true self is the seedbed of sin.”

Protecting my idealized self-

image
Recog. when & how I acted out of my compulsion
Avoiding what will expose its
falseness

Stay where before I would have run

BASIC Open myself to what before I would have avoided

STEPS: Enter the avoidance
Go thru the narrow gate where before I’d have taken a
long detour

Go the path against the arrow

“Bringing humanity out of its state of sleep or from life-experienced only at an automatic
or mechanical level.”
 28

Theology of the Process of Conversion

Gn 1:27 – God created man in = original gift

STARTING in the image of himself, in the image & = undistorted gift ?
POINTS Image of God he created him; likeness of God’s image
Male and female he created them. in us

I’ve only a blurred vision of

the image of which I am
REALITY Gn 3 Fall of Adam and Eve = results created because the gift
OF LIFE We are creatures who have fallen ???? has been mis-taken by me.

= gift narrowed & distorted

into an Image of Myself.

My experience needs to live out Distorted

of original = & my image of = experience
giftedness compulsions Myself of myself

How narrow my
experience has
become; I recognise
LOOKING AT the critical
THE DISTORTED I SEE many ways in which point in my THE PATH TO
RXPERIENCE I protect my image of life & see CONVERSION
myself by avoiding clearly the
anything that will path to take
call it into question or
put to test.

SUMMARY

CREATION FALL
True Self False Self
God’s Image in Me My Image of Myself
GIFT GIFT MIS-TAKEN

CONVERSION PROCESS
= turning back from false Self
= relinquishing my hold on the
gift mis-taken in order to
receive it again as originally
given, A NEW CREATION
 29
INTELLECTUAL CONVERSION
(Beesing, Nogosek, O'Leary)

TRAP HOLY IDEA

1. Perfection Growth
• As obsession • Releases one from trap of perfection
• Bothered by smallest imperfection • Recognizes God as governing the world in
• Striving for unattainable ideal perfection evolutionary way, all creation is in process of
becoming
• Leads ones to accept mistakes, etc.
2. Service Grace
• Makes them selfless yet dependent on expressed • Abandonment to God;
appreciation, attention and affection from those • No way to win God's love, it's free gift;
they serve. • God loves them before they perform any service
• Help has strings attached
• Play with your sympathy: "How can you do this to
me?"
3. Efficiency God's Will
• To be worthwhile = efficiency • Abandon themselves to God; put their
• Life consists of achievements and competitions lives/energies under God's gov't and to recognize
with others that the world belongs to God
• Ambitious plans, goals, expectations • God = great administrator
• Trust in God = antidote for spirit of competition
4. Authenticity Union with God
• Think they can achieve this by themselves if they • Only in union with God a person can truly become
remain in touch with all that has happened to himself in a unique and striking way
them. • Abandon to God by making their lives a journey
• Keep practicing how to express deepest feelings in to God.
their personality
• Mulled over feelings of the past experiences to the
detriment of being able to live in the present in a
relaxed and satisfied way.
5. Knowledge Divine Providence
• Find life fascinating to know from the distance but • Means that God acts in our lives to take care of all
too terrifying for personal involvement our needs
• Feeling like abandoned orphans they withdraw
from others and meet their personal needs through
thought and reflection.
6. Security Trust in God
• Based on authority, persons or norms • Our response to God's offering of self thru Jesus
• Loyalty to a leader promises protection from their • Jesus is our basic security, as rock to build our
self-doubt and indecision lives.
7. Idealism Co-creation
• Causes them to avoid or deny whatever painful • It means working with God acc. to the way the
• Thinking about how nice things were or will be, Creator works in the world to bring about that
rather than living and acting in the present, the real which is better.
world.
8. Justice Compassion
• Over-sensitive to issue of upbuilding their own • Jesus' compassion reveals god's justice
rights to preserve their personal dignity and be • Abandoning to God's reign over the world and
respected by others letting God be ruler and judge.
• They determine what is just or right and wrong
9. Self-Abasement Unconditional Love
1. They downgrade themselves and don't see within • To feel deeply that they are unconditionally loved
themselves much that is of value by God and gifted with the Spirit. This
2. Lacking love for themselves and unaware of their unconditional love calls them to see their
true importance as persons, they think their energy lovability.
has to come from some outside source.
 30 
 

AFFECTIVE CONVERSION 
(Beesing, Nogosek, & O’Leary, 1984) 

PASSION  Healed by  VIRTUE 

1. Anger    Serenity 
2. Pride    Humility 
3. Deceit    Truthfulness 
4. Envy    Equanimity 
5. Stinginess    Detachment 
6. Fear    Courage 
7. Over‐indulgence    Sobriety 
8. Arrogance    Simplicity 
9. Laziness    Diligence 
 

INSTINCTUAL CONVERSION 
(Beesing, Nogosek, & O’Leary, 1984) 

From Reaction  Response (Discerning gifts, 
To 
(Compulsion)  fruits of the Holy Spirit) 
Movement of Desolation  Movement of Consolation 
 
(Moving with the Arrow)  (Moving Against the Arrow) 
TURMOIL, 
DARKNESS,  9  9  1  BEING ON FIRE 
WEIGHT 
RESTLESSNESS, 
2  3  4  BEING THANKFUL 
DISTASTE 
REBELLIOUSNESS, 
PEACE, 
DESPAIR,  5  6  7 
STRENGTH 
SELFFISHNESS 
 

 
 31
BEST AND WORST OF EACH PERSONALITY TYPE

PERSONALITY TYPE ONE: THE PERFECTIONIST

Ones at their best are … Ones at their worst are …

• Ethical • Judgmental
• Reliable • Inflexible
• Productive • Dogmatic
• Wise • Obsessive-compulsive
• Idealistic • Critical of Others
• Fair • Overly serious
• Honest • Controlling
• Orderly • Anxious
• Self-disciplined • Jealous

PERSONALITY TYPE TWO: THE HELPER

Twos at their best are … Twos at their worst are …

• Loving • Martyrlike
• Caring • Indirect
• Adaptable • Manipulative
• Insightful • Possessive
• Generous • Hysterical
• Enthusiastic • Overly accommodating
• Tuned in to how people feel • Overly demonstrative

PERSONALITY TYPE THREE: THE ACHIEVER

Threes at their best are … Threes at their worst are …

• Optimistic • Deceptive
• Confident • Narcissistic
• Industrious • Pretentious
• Efficient • Vain
• Self-propelled • Superficial
• Energetic • Vindictive
• Practical • Overly competitive

Best and Worst of Each Personality Type

 32
PERSONALITY TYPE FOUR: THE TRAGIC ROMANTIC/ARTIST

Fours at their best are … Fours at their worst are …

• Warm • Depressed
• Compassionate • Self-conscious
• Introspective • Guilt-ridden
• Expressive • Moralistic
• Creative • Withdrawn
• Intuitive • Stubborn
• Supportive • Moody
• Refined • Self-absorbed

PERSONALITY TYPE FIVE: THE OBSERVER

Fives at their best are … Fives at their worst are …

• Analytical • Intellectually arrogant
• Persevering • Stingy
• Sensitive • Stubborn
• Wise • Distant
• Objective • Critical of others
• Perceptive • Unassertive
• Self-contained • Negative

PERSONALITY TYPE SIX: THE LOYALIST/QUESTIONER

Sixes at their best are … Sixes at their worst are …

• Loyal • Hypervigilant
• Likable • Controlling
• Caring • Unpredictable
• Warm • Judgmental
• Compassionate • Paranoid
• Witty • Defensive
• Practical • Rigid
• Helpful • Self-defeating
• Responsible • Testy

Best and Worst of Each Personality Type

 33
PERSONALITY TYPE SEVEN: THE ADVENTURER

Sevens at their best are … Sevens at their worst are …

• Fun-loving • Narcissistic
• Spontaneous • Impulsive
• Imaginative • Unfocused
• Productive • Rebellious
• Enthusiastic • Undisciplined
• Quick • Possessive
• Confident • Manic
• Charming • Self-destructive
• Curious • Restless

PERSONALITY TYPE EIGHT: THE BOSS/ASSERTER

Eights at their best are … Eights at their worst are …

• Direct • Controlling
• Authoritative • Rebellious
• Loyal • Insensitive
• Energetic • Domineering
• Earthy • Self-centred
• Protective • Skeptical
• Self-confident • Aggressive

PERSONALITY TYPE NINE: THE PEACEMAKER

Nines at their best are … Nines at their worst are …

• Pleasant • Spaced-out
• Peaceful • Forgetful
• Generous • Stubborn
• Patient • Obsessive
• Receptive • Apathetic
• Diplomatic • Passive-aggressive
• Open-minded • Judgmental
• Empathic • Unassertive

Best and Worst of Each Personality Type

 34

GALILEE SONG

I
Deep within my heart I feel
Voices whispering to me …
Words that I can't understand …
Meanings I must clearly hear.

Calling me to follow close …

Lest I leave myself behind!
Calling me to walk into …
Evening shadows one more time!

(Chorus 2x)
So I leave my boats behind!
Leave them on familiar shore!
Set me heart upon the deep!
Follow you again, my Lord!
II
In my memories I know
How you send familiar rains;
Falling gently on my days …
Dancing patterns on my pain!

And I need to learn once more …

In the fortress of my mind
To believe in falling rain …
As I travel deserts dry! (Chorus)
III
As I gaze into the night …
Down the future of my years,
I'm not sure I want to walk
Past horizons that I know!

But I feel my spirit called …

Like a stirring deep within …
Restless till I live again
Beyond the fears that close me in!
(Chorus)
 35

QUESTIONS TO HELP GROUP REFLECTION ON

THE THREE CENTRES

1. What do you recognise in yourself of this Centre?

2. What emotions do you struggle with?
3. What does moving Against/Towards/Away from mean to you? How
do you experience this in yourself?
4. What do you remember of your childhood? (family, neighbourhood,
school, games, friends, dreams, disappointments, hurts, fears...).

SHARING ACCORDING TO PERSONALITY TYPE

(Preparation for Plenum Sharing)

Please look for your co-enneatype and share the following:

1. How do you know you are Type No. ___?

2. How do you experience your Gift and its Distortion?
3. How do you remember yourself as a child?
4. How have you changed?
5. What do you find difficult to recognize and accept in yourself? In
others?
6. What can you say about your avoidance?
7. What is a stressful situation for you?
8. How do you know when you are under stress?
9. What happens inside you?
10. How do you cope?