We are All of the Points of the Enneagram©
An article written by Bob Sanfilippo
It is common for students of the Enneagram to over-type themselves. That is, believing that we are a sole essence of one of the nine points of the Enneagram. For example, I identify with Point Four. It is tempting to say, "I am a Four so this says this or that about me."
However, with closer scrutiny of the Enneagram, you can notice correlations between all the nine numbers. I have concluded that, at some level, I embrace all nine Points of the Enneagram. If I remain aware of these correlations, I am less tempted to over-type myself.
Point
4 will be used to first illustrate how one Point of the Enneagram connects and
has a vital relationship with all the other eight Points of the Enneagram.
After each connection is made, an “Enneagram
Connection Count” will be noted.
The Path of Integration. The
Path of Integration (and Security Point) connects Point 4 to Point 1.
4s draw from the 1 essence by learning to engage with reality through
self-discipline and meaningful activity. 4’s
Enneagram Connection Count: Point 1.
The Path of Disintegration. The Path of Disintegration (and Stress Point)
connects Point 4 with Point2. Connecting
to the higher end of the Point 2, 4’s can secure its “missing piece” and
learn the lesson to love themselves and others unconditionally.
4’s Enneagram Connection Count:
Points 1 and 2
The Wings. Knowing the Wings helps
us narrow down the issues that challenge us.
All the type combinations yield eighteen wing subtypes, all having
different flavors of personality expression.
Don and Russ use the analogy of comparing the circumference of the
Enneagram to that of a color wheel. Hence,
the general types and their wings can be thought of family of related shades.
Similar to being no real division between the hues on the color wheel,
the Wings contribute to a continuum of human expression between the Enneagram
Points. Hence, a 4 with a 3 wing,
accents Individualist personality with having Aristocratic tendencies.
4’s Enneagram Connection Count:
Points 1, 2 and 3.
In
his earlier writing, Personality Types
(1987), Don writes the each Type’s wing has a Direction of Integration and
Disintegration (pp. 305-6). Hence,
the Paths of Integration and Disintegration of the Wings expand the symmetry of
the Enneagram. The 3 wing of 4 Point has its own Path of Integration-Disintegration with
Points 6 and 9. Hence, Point4 has connection with Points 6 and 9.
4’s Enneagram Connection Count:
Points 1, 2, 3, 6 and 9.
The basic Centers. Point 4’s connection to
Points 2 and 3 has already been mentioned.
There is an additional relationship for Point 4 with Points 2 and 3 in
that they share a relationship within the family of the Feeling Triad.
From childhood, 2s, 3s, and 4s wanted the same thing: the attention to be
seen and validated by their parents. 2s,
3s, and 4s share the same struggle with image-identity issues.
2s, 3s, and 4s share the same path seeking authenticity.
The Hornevian Group. Point 4 is connected to
Points 5 and 9 in the family of the Withdrawn Types. 4s, 5s, and 9s share a similar social style of relating to
others. 4s, 5s, and 9s share the
same strategy on how they get their needs met.
4s, 5s, and 9s all cope with stress by moving away from others and the
environment into the inner sanctum of their imaginations.
4’s Enneagram Connection Count:
Points 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9.
The Harmonic Group. Even though there are no
lines that connect them in the Enneagram symbol, commons themes and issues
connect Point 4 with Points 6 and 8: all are Reactive Types.
4s, 6s, and 8s when they do not get what they want all share the same
attitude: they react. 4s, 6s, and 8s all react emotionally to conflict and have
difficulty trusting people. 4s, 6s,
and 8s all look for an emotional response in others that mirror their concerns.
4s, 6s, and 8s need to first vent their emotions before effectively
dealing with frustration. 4’s Enneagram
Connection Count: Points 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9.
The
only Enneagram Point left for Point 4 to find a connection to is 7.
In his earlier work, Understnading the Enneagram (1990), Don contrasts 4
and 7 as being vastly different. He
does associate Points 4 and 7 as both being excessive.
Points 4 and 7 are also associated at the sixth Level of Development: 4
is The Self-Indulgent Asthetic while 7 is The Excessive Materialist (pp.
167-168). Don goes on to say that
both 4s and 7s share a love of fine, expensive things, cherishing beautiful
objects for the sake of their beauty and the feelings that beauty awakens in
them. 4’s Enneagram Connection Count:
Points 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Thus,
it is demonstrated how one Point, the 4, is related in some way to its other
eight kindred Enneagram Points. Enneagram
students and enthusiasts are challenged to find similar connections and
symmetries by associating another Point with its family of eight Enneagram
Points. It could also be added that
all nine Enneagram Points are interrelated by the Instinctual Variants:
Self-Preservation, Social and Sexual.
In closing, as the study of the Enneagram expands, its elegance and symmetry will be further appreciated. There is a holistic value within the Enneagram and with the Universe as well.
