Evolving Enneagram

Instinctual Stacking
Guide & Questionnaire
CREDIT: As with all Enneagram teachers, I stand on the shoulders of those who have
come before me. I credit the following breakdown of our 3 biological, survival
instinctual drives (self-preservation, sexual, and social) into 3 zones with 5 categories
each to the work of Russ Hudson.

Note, however, that the following questions themselves are based on MY personal
interpretation of his wonderfully elaborate body of work in this area. I have developed
this synthesis (my own paraphrasing) to support, best I can, all of you who are
interested in doing deep inner work based on discerning your unique instinctual
stacking. Please know that this questionnaire is not meant to be definitive of who you
are or even definitive of your stacking but merely a helpful guide in your own
conscious evolution.

In Sacred Service, Reverend Nhien

Instructions:

For each question...

CIRCLE 1: If you tend to ignore or neglect this area

CIRCLE 2: If you feel fairly balanced in this area
CIRCLE 3: If you tend to focus on this area a lot, possibly obsessing over it

Once you've completed the questionnaire, there is a handy chart at the end where
you can input and tally your answers, while taking a look at the results all in one
place! One is a blank chart and one is a sample chart (already filled out) to
demonstrate how you might fill out yours.

IMPORTANT! Gaining greater clarity about ourselves can be painful! Looking at our
Neglected and Dominant instinctual areas, in particular, can be triggering. I
encourage you to be as compassionate with yourself as you'll let yourself be.

Love, more than anything, transforms and heals!

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 Instinct: Self Preservation
Self-Preservation Zone One: SELF CARE

CATEGORIES CIRCLE ONE

1. Diet & Eating
I tend to focus on food--not just on the act of eating but on making 1 2 3
decisions about what to eat (or not eat) and on gaining information
about how to eat well or healthily.

2. Exercise & Fitness

I spend a good amount of time and energy on physical exercise and/or 1 2 3
physical fitness.

3. Sleep & Rest

I pay attention to the amount or quality of sleep or rest that I’m 1 2 3
getting (or not getting).

4. Relaxation & Stress Reduction

I make time for relaxation and/or stress reduction. 1 2 3
5. Stimulation/Comfort
I tend to be aware of how I shift between seeking stimulation and
1 2 3
seeking comfort.

CREDIT: This questionnaire is based substantially

on the instincts teachings of Russ Hudson.

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 Instinct: Self Preservation
Self-Preservation Zone Two: PRACTICALITY & RESOURCES

CATEGORIES CIRCLE ONE

1. Money & Finances
I pay close attention to my budget and finances. It is important to me 1 2 3
to keep track of my money and to save it.

2. Time
I tend to be concerned with how I conserve or manage my time. 1 2 3

3. Energy
I tend to be concerned with regulating and conserving my personal 1 2 3
energy. I often wonder about whether I will have enough energy.

4. Persistence
I’m steady, persistent, and consistent--able to stay with a process, 1 2 3
look at the long term, and take steps toward the longer term goal,
even when it’s not particularly exciting.

5. Practical Know-How
I enjoy cultivating practical skills for everyday life, such as fixing
household things, cooking, etc.
1 2 3

CREDIT: This questionnaire is based substantially

on the instincts teachings of Russ Hudson.

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 Instinct: Self Preservation
Self-Preservation Zone Three: HOME LIFE

CATEGORIES CIRCLE ONE

1. Structure & Organization
I care about my home being set up, functional, and organized to 1 2 3
support what is important to me and/or my family. (I know where
certain things are kept, where important papers are filed, etc.)

2. Safety & Security

I focus my time and energy on creating safety in my home. (This might 1 2 3
look like putting security alarms in or creating privacy in my space or
being territorial about my personal property.)

3. Holding Environment
I care about creating a home space that feels nurturing and supportive 1 2 3
(e.g., I enjoy nesting).

4. Chores & Maintenance

I value taking care of my home (through domestic chores or other 1 2 3
maintenance activities; possibly also enjoying doing these things
together with my family).

5. Launch Pad
My home is set up as a launch pad--something that supports me in my
outside activities and also a home base from which I can operate and 1 2 3
invite people into (like a hub). Contrast: When this category is low, my
home might be more of a “crash pad.”

CREDIT: This questionnaire is based substantially

on the instincts teachings of Russ Hudson.

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 Instinct: Sexual
Sexual Zone One: ATTRACTION

CATEGORIES CIRCLE ONE

1. Broadcasting & Transmitting
I focus on broadcasting or transmitting my personal energy and people 1 2 3
tend to notice when I enter a space. I carry myself so as to draw
attention (even if I'm acting as if I don't want that attention).

2. Being Attracted
I focus on what I'm attracted to and, sometimes impulsively, on 1 2 3
following what I'm attracted to (i.e., who looks interesting). I tend to
notice and immediately go check out "what's over there?"

3. Display
I tend to display myself or focus on how I am displaying myself 1 2 3
(specifically to attract others to me). I behave in ways to make myself
stand out.

4. Choosing & Discriminating

I tend to be occupied with the dilemma of choosing between the
1 2 3
things/people I am versus the things/people I'm not attracted to. I
reflect a lot on these decisions (how, whether, or when to respond).

5. Competition
I am aware of my competition and can be competitive (or even
ruthless) in getting the object(s) of my desire. (Biologically, this is 1 2 3
rooted in competition for the right to mate!)

CREDIT: This questionnaire is based substantially

on the instincts teachings of Russ Hudson.

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 Instinct: Sexual
Sexual Zone Two: EXPLORATION

CATEGORIES CIRCLE ONE

1. Activation
I like to feel activated. I tend to notice and be interested in when I'm 1 2 3
turned on--whether by people, experiences, or ideas. I'm drawn to
know "where's the juice?"

2. Risk
I am willing to take risks in multiple areas of my life--whether it be 1 2 3
financial, relational, physical, or otherwise.

3. Getting Out of Comfort Zone

I like to shake things up, break free of routine, and regularly get out of 1 2 3
my comfort zone.

4. Finding the Edge

I relish the energy of seeking, finding, and pushing against my own 1 2 3
creative edges. (Even if it applies to ideas or business, this can feel
like sexual energy or excitement.)

5. Going for It/Stopping in Time

I'm aware of when to go for it versus when to pause or stop and take 1 2 3
a breath. (Biologically, I'm aware of when NOT to rush toward orgasm.
When such energy is skillfully held, it can elevate to a blissful,
spiritual experience.)

CREDIT: This questionnaire is based substantially

on the instincts teachings of Russ Hudson.

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 Instinct: Sexual
Sexual Zone Three: MERGING

CATEGORIES CIRCLE ONE

1. Focus & Involvement
I tend to get intensely focused and energetically fully involved with a 1 2 3
person or activity (like art or listening to music). It can take all my
attention and seem like everything else has dropped away.

2. Losing Self
I enjoy losing myself or my boundaries and "disappearing" into an 1 2 3
activity or person.

3. Spending Energy
I tend to pour my energy into things (e.g., a person or activity); while
1 2 3
this can sometimes lead to burnout, I feel most alive when I spend my
energy in this intense way.

4. Passion
I feel a lot of passionate energy and enjoy expressing that energy. 1 2 3

5. Concentration/Distraction
I tend to feel very energetic and can struggle between times of intense 1 2 3
concentration and, alternatively, feeling very scattered and distracted
by every new possibility.

CREDIT: This questionnaire is based substantially

on the instincts teachings of Russ Hudson.

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 Instinct: Social
Social Zone One: INTERPRETING

CATEGORIES CIRCLE ONE

1. Reading People
I'm very conscious of verbal and non-verbal communication 1 2 3
(expressions) and am skilled in reading the meaning behind that
communication.

2. Reading Between the Lines

Relating to verbal communication, I'm able to read between the lines 1 2 3
and discern what others are actually saying even if they're not saying
it directly.

3. Attunement
I can sense people's emotions, attitudes, and energy and can adjust my
1 2 3
own speech or behavior to adapt to what feels appropriate in the
moment.

4. Empathy
I readily feel care, empathy, and concern toward others and tend to
1 2 3
communicate or demonstrate that sense of care.

5. Adaptation
I readily adapt to different and fluctuating worldly contexts, 1 2 3
particularly different social contexts.

CREDIT: This questionnaire is based substantially

on the instincts teachings of Russ Hudson.

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 Instinct: Social
Social Zone Two: CONNECTING

CATEGORIES CIRCLE ONE

1. Creating relationship
I'm comfortable initiating relationships, greeting people, and 1 2 3
establishing social connections (not just romantically, but for work,
based on shared interests, etc.) This includes my ability to respond
with social ease and grace when I am approached.

2. Sustaining
I work on doing what is appropriate and needed to sustain my 1 2 3
relationships and adjust to their evolution over time.

3. Communication
I'm conscious of what I and others are communicating, both verbally 1 2 3
and non-verbally.

4. Play
I'm enjoy playing and being playful. I bond with others through 1 2 3
playfulness or actual time playing together with others (e.g., sports,
hobbies, cards, etc.).

5. Reciprocity
I'm aware of giving back when I receive from others--of doing my part
1 2 3
in a group or team or partner effort (and I notice who doesn't do this).
Through this pact (implied or explicit), we help take care of one
another. "I scratch your back and you scratch mine."

CREDIT: This questionnaire is based substantially

on the instincts teachings of Russ Hudson.

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 Instinct: Social
Social Zone Three: PARTICIPATION

CATEGORIES CIRCLE ONE

1. Involvement
1 2 3
I enjoy getting involved and participating in group or social activities
and I am discerning about which activities I engage in.

2. Enrolling
I enroll (or try to enroll/involve) people in what I'm interested in, 1 2 3
whether it is a social cause or my favorite bands. This might also look
like trying to convince others of my political or social views.

3. Contribution
I feel driven to contribute meaningfully and serve my community or 1 2 3
the world through my gifts, talents, energy, and/or involvement.

4. Awareness of Context
I'm aware not only of myself and what I, personally, am doing; rather, 1 2 3
I see the bigger picture of how my speech or actions fit within the
larger world context (I'm aware of systems) and I can adjust
accordingly.

5. Belonging
I seek a sense of belonging and am focused on discerning where and
1 2 3
when I belong.

CREDIT: This questionnaire is based substantially

on the instincts teachings of Russ Hudson.

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 SCORING
Record your scores for each category in the boxes. Tally your points for
each instinct. List the instinct that has the highest score as Dominant,
the second highest as Secondary, and the lowest as Neglected.

SELF-PRESERVATION SEXUAL SOCIAL

Self Care Attraction Interpreting
Diet/Eating: Broadcasting/Transmitting: Reading People:
Exercise/Fitness: Being Attracted: Reading Between the Lines:
Sleep/Rest:
Display: Attunement:
Relaxation/Stress
Choosing/Discriminating: Empathy:
reduction:
Stimulation/Comfort: Competition: Adaptation:
Total = Total = Total =
Practicality & Resources Exploration Connecting
Money: Activation: Creating Relationship:
Risk:
Time: Sustaining:
Getting Out of Comfort
Energy: Zone: Communication:
Persistence: Finding the Edge: Play:
Practical Know-How: Going for it/Stopping in Reciprocity:
Time:
Total = Total = Total =
Home Life Merging Participation
Structure: Focus/Involvement: Involvement:
Safety: Losing Self: Enrolling:
Holding Environment: Spending Energy: Contribution:
Chores & Maintenance: Passion: Awareness of Context:
Launch Pad: Concentration/Distraction: Belonging:
Total = Total = Total =

SELF-PRESERVATION SEXUAL SOCIAL

TOTAL: _______ TOTAL: _______ TOTAL: _______

Dominant (score): Name ______________________

______________________
Date ______________________
Secondary (score):
______________________
CREDIT:
CREDIT: This
This questionnaire
questionnaire is based
is based substantially
substantially
Neglected (score): on the
on the instincts
instincts teachings
teachings of Russ
of Russ Hudson.
Hudson.
______________________

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 SCORING (SAMPLE)
Record your scores for each category in the boxes. Tally your points for
each instinct. List the instinct that has the highest score as Dominant,
the second highest as Secondary, and the lowest as Neglected.

SELF-PRESERVATION SEXUAL SOCIAL

Self Care Attraction Interpreting
Diet/Eating: 2 Broadcasting/Transmitting:3 Reading People: 3
Exercise/Fitness: 2
Being Attracted: 2 Reading Between the Lines: 3
Sleep/Rest: 2
Relaxation/Stress Display: 3 Attunement: 2

E
reduction: 2 Choosing/Discriminating: 3 Empathy: 2

L
Stimulation/Comfort: 1 Competition: 3 Adaptation: 2

P
Total = 9 Total = 14 Total = 12

M
Practicality & Resources Exploration Connecting

A
Activation: 3
Money: 2 Creating Relationship: 2
Risk: 3

S
Time: 2 Getting Out of Comfort 3 Sustaining: 1
Energy: Zone: Communication: 3
1 Finding the Edge: 3
Persistence: 2 Going for it/Stopping in
Play: 1
Practical Know-How: 1 Time: 3 Reciprocity: 3
Total = 8 Total = 15 Total = 10
Home Life Merging Participation
Structure: 2 Focus/Involvement: 3 Involvement: 2
Safety: 1 Losing Self: 3 Enrolling: 3
Holding Environment: 3 Spending Energy: 3 Contribution: 3
Chores & Maintenance: 2 Passion: 3 Awareness of Context: 3
Launch Pad: 2 Concentration/Distraction: 2 Belonging: 3
Total = 9 Total = 14 Total = 14

SELF-PRESERVATION SEXUAL SOCIAL

26
TOTAL: _______ 43
TOTAL: _______ 36
TOTAL: _______

Dominant (score): Sexual (43) Nhien Vuong

Name ______________________
______________________
Secondary (score): Social (36) 9/10/2020
______________________ Date ______________________
Neglected (score):
Self-Preservation
______________________ (26) CREDIT: This questionnaire is based substantially
on the instincts teachings of Russ Hudson.

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