The Enneagram

The following are very generalized depictions of what the nine Enneagram types look like in isolation. In reality, we all have all nine types within us, so no one person will fit in only one type description. However, if you think about how you've behaved over the course of your life, you will likely be able to identify a dominant pattern.

From a spiritual perspective, your primary type is the way your soul has attempted to make up for the loss of connection to a specific aspect of the Divine, or True Nature. It is the way your ego personality has learned to feel OK, so that you have a place or function in the world. We identify with a way of being, an image, that we think is us, but in reality, it is only a manufactured attempt to replicate our True Nature, which we feel disconnected from. Learning the Enneagram can help us find our way back to that sense of connection, alignment, and resonance with the Divine.

To take a 36-question test that suggests possibilities for your primary type, try the RHETI Sampler.

Short Type Descriptions

Type One: The Reformer
Principled, purposeful, self-controlled & perfectionistic

The principled, idealistic type. Ones are conscientious and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers, crusaders, and advocates for change: always striving to improve things, but afraid of making a mistake. Well-organized, orderly, and fastidious, they try to maintain high standards, but can slip into being critical and perfectionistic. They typically have problems with resentment and impatience. At their Best: wise, discerning, realistic, and noble. Can be morally heroic.

Type Two: The Helper
Generous, demonstrative, people-pleasing & possessive

The caring, interpersonal type. Twos are empathetic, sincere, and warm-hearted. They are friendly, generous, and self-sacrificing, but can also be sentimental, flattering, and people-pleasing. They are well-meaning and driven to be close to others, but can slip into doing things for others in order to be needed. They typically have problems with possessiveness and with acknowledging their own needs. At their Best: unselfish and altruistic, they have unconditional love for others.

Type Three: The Achiever
Adaptable, excelling, driven & image-conscious

The adaptable, success-oriented type. Threes are self-assured, attractive, and charming. Ambitious, competent, and energetic, they can also be status-conscious and highly driven for advancement. They are diplomatic and poised, but can also be overly concerned with their image and what others think of them. They typically have problems with workaholism and competitiveness. At their Best: self-accepting, authentic, everything they seem to be-role models who inspire others.

Type Four: The Individualist
Expressive, dramatic, self-absorbed & temperamental

The introspective, romantic type. Fours are self-aware, sensitive, and reserved. They are emotionally honest, creative, and personal, but can also be moody and self-conscious. Withholding themselves from others due to feeling vulnerable and defective, they can also feel disdainful and exempt from ordinary ways of living. They typically have problems with melancholy, self-indulgence, and self-pity. At their Best: inspired and highly creative, they are able to renew themselves and transform their experiences.

Type Five: The Investigator
Perceptive, innovative, secretive & isolated

The perceptive, cerebral type. Fives are alert, insightful, and curious. They are able to concentrate and focus on developing complex ideas and skills. Independent, innovative, and inventive, they can also become preoccupied with their thoughts and imaginary constructs. They become detached, yet high-strung and intense. They typically have problems with eccentricity, nihilism, and isolation. At their Best: visionary pioneers, often ahead of their time, and able to see the world in an entirely new way

Type Six: The Loyalist
Engaging, responsible, anxious & suspicious

The committed, security-oriented type. Sixes are reliable, hard-working, responsible, and trustworthy. Excellent "troubleshooters," they foresee problems and foster cooperation, but can also become defensive, evasive, and anxious-running on stress while complaining about it. They can be cautious and indecisive, but also reactive, defiant and rebellious. They typically have problems with self-doubt and suspicion. At their Best: internally stable and self-reliant, courageously championing themselves and others.

Type Seven: The Enthusiast
Spontaneous, versatile, acquisitive & scattered

The busy, productive type. Sevens are extroverted, optimistic, versatile, and spontaneous. Playful, high-spirited, and practical, they can also misapply their many talents, becoming over-extended, scattered, and undisciplined. They constantly seek new and exciting experiences, but can become distracted and exhausted by staying on the go. They typically have problems with impatience and impulsiveness. At their Best: they focus their talents on worthwhile goals, becoming appreciative, joyous, and satisfied.

Type Eight: The Challenger
Self-confident, decisive, willful & confrontational

The powerful, aggressive type. Eights are self-confident, strong, and assertive. Protective, resourceful, straight-talking, and decisive, but can also be ego-centric and domineering. Eights feel they must control their environment, especially people, sometimes becoming confrontational and intimidating. Eights typically have problems with their tempers and with allowing themselves to be vulnerable. At their Best: self-mastering, they use their strength to improve others' lives, becoming heroic, magnanimous, and inspiring.

Type Nine: The Peacemaker
Receptive, reassuring, agreeable & complacent

The easy-going, self-effacing type. Nines are accepting, trusting, and stable. They are usually creative, optimistic, and supportive, but can also be too willing to go along with others to keep the peace. They want everything to go smoothly and be without conflict, but they can also tend to be complacent, simplifying problems and minimizing anything upsetting. They typically have problems with inertia and stubbornness. At their Best: indomitable and all-embracing, they are able to bring people together and heal conflicts.

Used with Permission

For More Information
Please check Katy's calendar or contact her for more information or to find out about future workshops. There is a wealth of information available for free at www.EnneagramInstitute.com, as well as many books for purchase. You may also be interested in checking out a local group that meets monthly to learn about the Enneagram—see the International Enneagram Association website.