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Motivations

Every Enneagram type is driven by a distinct motivation:

1- To reform and improve
2- To receive affirmation by meeting the needs of others; to be needed in order to feel loved
3- To receive recognition for accomplishments
4- To continue the longing by focusing on what’s missing
5- To protect energy and resources
6- To anticipate possible harm in order to be safe
7- To be stimulated and to feel pleasure
8- To protect self and others from vulnerability
9- To keep the peace by seeking harmony and avoiding conflict

Virtues

The Virtue Paths: Lead to Light, Integration, Love of Self, God, and Others.

Type One: Serenity which leads to the Godlike quality of Holy Perfection. When Ones can accept that nothing in life is ever 100% perfect and at the exact same time there is a delight to be found in the imperfections of life — they are able to accept themselves, others, and circumstances with calm serenity. They understand the divine beauty in all things and let go of the desire for everything to be right. Everything is already exactly what it needs to be right now.

Type Two: Humility which leads to the Godlike quality of Holy Will or Holy Freedom. When a Type Two is spiritually growing they own their needs without shame and allow others to gift them with love. The ability to receive is wonderful for a Two, it teaches them healthy humility— a place of strength for a Two. They are then free to give to others in the way that God gives, with abandon, generosity, and no strings attached.

Type Three: Authenticity which leads to the Godlike quality of Holy Harmony/Hope. When a Three does their spiritual work and accepts that they are loved not for what they do, but for who they are, they move out into the world with their authentic selves. They are able to use their high-energy and drive to motivate a group towards worthy goals. They also provide others with grounded, realistic optimism founded on the great hope of a loving God.

Type Four: Equanimity which leads to the Godlike quality of Holy Origin. A healthy Four will understand that their emotions are the sea, constantly ebbing and flowing, all the drops of water part of the whole. This leads them to be at peace with their emotional state, accepting the rise and fall of the waves of feeling. Their Godlike quality understands that they are unique and special… and so is everyone else. They bring an awareness of the authentic, unique divine that resides within each person.

Type Five: Detachment which leads to the Godlike quality of Holy Omniscience. A Five who has done spiritual work realizes the health in dissociating their thought life from outcomes. They detach from the need to think everything through in order to protect themselves and their resources. This allows them access to the divine power of energy and good detachment. They are able to assess situations with great wisdom and a Yoda-like-all-knowingness.

Type Six: Courage which leads to the Godlike quality of Holy Strength. When a Six stops doubting themselves they find an inner wellspring of courage. Instead of engaging in mental acrobatics about worse-case scenarios, a spiritually healthy Six will move through their lives with purpose and great strength. They understand that God is their authority and safe space and can even become leaders, confident and resilient.

Type Seven: Sobriety which leads to the Godlike quality of Wisdom, Holy Work, or Holy Plan. A Seven who can learn to practice sobriety calms down their need for more. They are able to feel the full spectrum of their emotions and inhabit each moment exactly as it comes. This enables them to bring wisdom, a focused calling/work, and/or ideas about the divine order of the universe to the world.

Type Eight: Innocence which leads to the Godlike quality of Truth. When an Eight falls hard enough they become vulnerable and open themselves up to huge tender hearts that have been buried for so long. They become a protector of those wronged. They look out for the vulnerable with all the power and innate strength of will they have at their disposal. They are great advocates for social justice causes.

Type Nine: Action which leads to the Godlike quality of Holy Love. Nines in health will be active peacemakers. They will recognize their own firm beliefs and then seek life paths that are actively inclusive, making sure others experience love, inclusion, and acceptance. They can truly understand and accept everyone’s point of view (much like the divine source from which we all come).

Photos by Ian Espinosa & Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash

 

 

 

Fixations by type

ENNEAGRAM ONES – RESENTMENT – “IT’S NOT FAIR!”

Resentment is a complex emotion—but one ultimately driven by thoughts and beliefs. Resentment is thinking that you have to stay home and be responsible while everyone else goes out and has fun. It is that false belief that you, and you alone, shoulder the burden and take responsibility for getting things done, while others are slacking off – and that it’s just not fair, but you do it anyway.

ENNEAGRAM TWOS – FLATTERY – “I AM NICE TO PEOPLE”

Flattery is the act of complimenting others. As a fixation, flattery is the need to make others feel good, that your identity requires you to impact others positively. And this is done by being nice, giving compliments and making others feel special.

ENNEAGRAM THREE – VANITY – “I AM IMPORTANT”

Vanity is not about taking excessive pride in one’s appearance. It is the false belief that the person is more central to the situation than they actually are. That without them nothing would happen, and if they leave, everything would grind to a complete halt or simply fall apart. Like a business would stop running if they resigned.

ENNEAGRAM FOUR – MELANCHOLY – “SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH ME”

Again, this sounds like it’s a feeling but it’s a false belief. It is a continuing thought that something is wrong with me, that something essential is missing, and despite their best efforts it’s permanent. This creates a sense of sadness or nostalgia for the past self, making it had to ever be satisfied or content in the present.

ENNEAGRAM FIVE – STINGINESS – “I MUST PROTECT WHAT I HAVE”

This is a false belief that unless I hoard my time, energy and space, I will have nothing. That there is no such thing as abundance, only scarcity and that if I stop strategizing how to control my resources and environment, the world around me will suck up my resources for itself. This includes an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a reluctance to share it.

ENNEAGRAM SIX – COWARDICE – “IT’S NOT SAFE”

This is the fixed idea that life isn’t safe and people are not to be trusted. It is the false belief that everything that can go wrong will go wrong, and the only way to have a positive outcome is to question everything and plan for the worst.  Thoughts of doubt and worry creep into everything, leading to anticipating all the bad things that could happen.

ENNEAGRAM SEVEN – PLANNING – “I PLAN FOR FUN”

This is the false belief that unless their schedule is filled with pleasant things to do, then they will suffer. This is the thought that life’s plan will only bring pain, limitation and restrictions, and the only way to avoid these things is to have a plan for as many enjoyable things to happen as possible.

ENNEAGRAM EIGHT – VENGEANCE – “I MUST EVEN THE SCORE”

Eights believe that only the strong survive. And they have taken it upon themselves to correct injustice committed against themselves and others. They believe they have to stand up and be strong to ensure that no crime goes unpunished and the people know there are consequences for their actions.

ENNEAGRAM NINE – INDOLENCE – “I’M NOT IMPORTANT”

This is the false belief that they are less important than others. With this fixation in place, the Nine devalues themselves, goes against their own interests and puts themselves last. They don’t express their thoughts and opinions, believing others’ opinions are more important and hold greater weight.

WORKING WITH THE FIXATION

It is easy to read these fixations from a distance and see how ridiculous they are. And yet, all of us have one of these stuck in our head. And, we can’t just grab some tweezers and pull the mindworm out through our ear.

Instead, we have to notice these thoughts and laugh at their absurdity. To make fun at how outrageous they are. Of course I can go and have fun! How silly I am thinking that the world revolves around me! Have you heard the saying, “man plans, god laughs” but I keep making them! Wow, who would have thought abundance and scarcity are so similar!

Working with fixations isn’t your first priority when using the Enneagram for your personal growth, so for now, it’s useful to know these exist and that they are influencing how you see the world and yourself.

Wounding Messages of Each Enneagram Type

Posted by  | Apr 26, 2021

Learn the wounding messages of each enneagram type and discover which one you have lived your life believing in.

Wounding messages are the thoughts that we have constantly playing in the back of our mind.

Each and every single person will develop a wounding message (sometimes called childhood wounds). We develop these very early on in childhood and they become an inner voice that keeps us from being free.

These (untrue!) wounding messages of each enneagram type are things that we either actually heard or things we perceived to be true as children.

You could be a 100% perfect parent and your child will still develop a wounding message.

Your goal is only to try to set them up for success and to help them see early on that those wounding messages are inaccurate.

Wounding Messages of Each Enneagram Type

"it's not ok to make mistakes"

Type 1’s Wounding Message

For an enneagram 1, their wounding message is “It’s not ok to make mistakes.”

There are other variations of this message such as “It’s not ok to be wrong” or “It’s not ok to behave badly.”

Once you realize this wounding message, it’s easy to see how that has ingrained the type 1’s core desire and core fear.

For a 1 that core desire is to be good/right (aka no mistakes) and the core fear is being bad/wrong (making mistakes).

What type 1’s long to hear is “You are good” (or you are good enough).
Hearing this and understanding this allows the 1 to have a weight lifted off of them.

Type 2’s Wounding Message

For an enneagram 2, their wounding message is “It’s not ok to to have your own needs.”

There are other variations of this message such as “It’s not ok to be a burden” or “It’s not ok to put your needs first.”

Once you realize this wounding message, it’s easy to see how that has ingrained the type 2’s core desire and core fear.

For a 2 that core desire is to be loved/wanted/needed (for who they are, not how they help) and the core fear is being unloved/unwanted/not needed.

What type 2’s long to hear is “You are wanted and loved for just being you.”
Hearing this and understanding this allows the 2 to have a weight lifted off of them.

Type 3’s Wounding Message

For an enneagram 3, their wounding message is “It’s not ok to have your own feelings and identity.”

There are other variations of this message such as “It’s not ok to fail” or “It’s not ok to not work hard.”

Once you realize this wounding message, it’s easy to see how that has ingrained the type 3’s core desire and core fear.

For a 3 that core desire is to be valued/admired/successful and the core fear is being not valued/not admired/unsuccessful. They believe that if they have their own feelings or identity they will not be valued/admired.

What type 3’s long to hear is “You are loved and valued for simply being you” (the real you; not the mask you wear).
Hearing this and understanding this allows the 3 to have a weight lifted off of them.

Type 4’s Wounding Message

For an enneagram 4, their wounding message is “It’s not ok to be too much or not enough.”

There are other variations of this message such as “It’s not ok to not fit in” or “It’s not ok to be so emotional.”

Once you realize this wounding message, it’s easy to see how that has ingrained the type 4’s core desire and core fear.

For a 4 that core desire is to be authentic/uniquely themselves/have their own unique identity (aka who they truly are) and the core fear is being inauthentic/not truly themselves/having not identity (fear having to blend in when that’s not who they are).

What type 4’s long to hear is “You are seen and loved for who you are.”
Hearing this and understanding this allows the 4 to have a weight lifted off of them.

Type 5’s Wounding Message

For an enneagram 5, their wounding message is “It’s not ok to be comfortable in the world.”

There are other variations of this message such as “You don’t have enough energy/skills to make it here” or “It’s not ok to let your guard down because you won’t be able to handle things competently.”

Once you realize this wounding message, it’s easy to see how that has ingrained the type 5’s core desire and core fear.

For a 5 that core desire is to be competent/capable/knowledgable (finding a way to be comfortable in the world) and the core fear is being incompetent/incapable (fearing their needs being a problem for others).

What type 5’s long to hear is “Your needs are not a problem.”
Hearing this and understanding this allows the 5 to have a weight lifted off of them.

 

Type 6’s Wounding Message

For an enneagram 6, their wounding message is “It’s not ok to trust yourself.”

There are other variations of this message such as “You need to check in with others first” or “It’s not ok to rely on your gut.”

Special Note on 6’s:
6s are unique in that there are two ways a 6 will act out their wounding message (and core fear).
They will either be a phobic 6 in which they depend on authorities and trusted advisors (I can’t trust myself so I will trust in others) or they will be counterphobic and not trust those in authority or advising roles (I can’t trust myself so maybe it’s not actually scary and I should just get over my fear) (counterphobic 6’s can look a bit like 8’s)

Once you realize this wounding message, it’s easy to see how that has ingrained the type 6’s core desire and core fear.

For a 6 that core desire is to be secure/supported (their world can be scary since they can’t trust themselves) and the core fear is being without support/without security (without others, they fear they won’t be safe).

What type 6’s long to hear is “You are safe and secure.”
Hearing this and understanding this allows the 6 to have a weight lifted off of them.

Type 7’s Wounding Message

For an enneagram 7, their wounding message is “It’s not ok to depend on others for anything.”

There are other variations of this message such as “Nobody will take care of you” or “You need to do things for yourself.”

Once you realize this wounding message, it’s easy to see how that has ingrained the type 7’s core desire and core fear.

For a 7 that core desire is to be content/satisfied (not needing to depend on others) and the core fear is being deprived/trapped in emotional pain (fearing not being able to do/solve it for themselves).

What type 7’s long to hear is “You will be taken care of.”
Hearing this and understanding this allows the 7 to have a weight lifted off of them.

 

Type 8’s Wounding Message

For an enneagram 8, their wounding message is “It’s not ok to be vulnerable or to trust anyone.”

There are other variations of this message such as “It’s not ok to be weak” or “Don’t trust others, you’ll only get hurt.”

Once you realize this wounding message, it’s easy to see how that has ingrained the type 8’s core desire and core fear.

For a 8 that core desire is to be independent/autonomous/strong (no vulnerability) and the core fear is being controlled/harmed/manipulated (their vulnerability being broken).

What type 8’s long to hear is “You will not be betrayed.”
Hearing this and understanding this allows the 8 to have a weight lifted off of them.

 

Type 9’s Wounding Message

For an enneagram 9, their wounding message is “It’s not ok to assert yourself.”

There are other variations of this message such as “The needs/feelings of others matters more than yours” or “It’s not ok to rock the boat.”

Once you realize this wounding message, it’s easy to see how that has ingrained the type 9’s core desire and core fear.

For a 9 that core desire is to be at peace/harmonious/connected to others (nobody is upset with the 9’s needs/opinions) and the core fear is separations/loss of connection (conflict from asserting themselves).

What type 9’s long to hear is “Your presence matters.”
Hearing this and understanding this allows the 9 to have a weight lifted off of them.

Understanding the wounding messages of each enneagram type can help you break free from your own internal believes and it can help you understand and love others better since you know they carry their own wounding message.

 

Enneagram Centers of Intelligence

Enneagram Centers of Intelligence

I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article. Full Disclosure

Within the enneagram world, there are many groupings of numbers. These groupings are often (if not always) in the form of triads which simply means groups of three.

The most common triad is the “Centers of Intelligence”.

This triad is the one you will find in pretty much every single enneagram book and for good reason. It is one of the easiest for us to grasp as this triad is based on how we habitually process and respond to life.

The three Enneagram Centers of Intelligence are:
The Gut (or Instinctive) Center, The Heart (or Feeling) Center, and The Head (or Thinking) Center.

We all have one dominant Center of Intelligence.

However, this does not mean we do not use the other two at all.

We all use our gut, heart, and head in different ways and at different times but we definitely default to a favorite and that is our dominant Enneagram Center of Intelligence.

Knowing whether you are in the Gut, Heart, or Head center can help you determine your enneagram type if you are still torn between a few types and it can help you understand how you react to life the way you do.

Enneagram Centers of Intelligence

Enneagram Centers of Intelligence

The Gut Center

The Gut Center (or Instinctive Center) is home to enneagram types 8, 9, and 1.

While these numbers all seem rather different, they share them same gut instincts (as opposed to the heart or head centers.)

8s, 9s, and 1s all take in life through their instincts (with their gut) and generally respond based on what their instinct is telling them to do.

8s, 9s and 1s are all:
Concerned with: Justice
Seeking: Autonomy
Underlying Issue: Anger

Each of these enneagram types all deal with anger as their gut center issue. However, each type deals with the anger very differently.

8s tend to display their anger (in hopes of controlling it)
9s tend to deny their anger (in hopes of not upsetting anyone)
1s tend to repress their anger (in hopes of achieving perfection)

Advice for those in the Gut Center

Instead of acting quickly based on your instincts, allow yourself to think first. Think about how your anger (which is likely the deep underlying cause of your instinctual reaction) affects you and those around you.

Enneagram Centers of Intelligence - Heart Center

The Heart Center

The Heart Center (or Feeling Center) is home to enneagram types 2, 3, and 4.

While these numbers all seem rather different, they share them same heart instincts (as opposed to the gut or head centers.)

2s, 3s, and 4s all take in life through their feelings (with their heart) and generally respond based on what their feelings are telling them to do.

2s, 3s, and 4s are all:
Concerned with: Image
Seeking: Attention
Underlying Issue: Shame

Each of these enneagram types all deal with shame as their heart center issue. However, each type deals with the shame very differently.

2s tend to focus their feelings outward (in hopes of not feeling shame)
3s tend to deny their feelings (in hopes of resisting shame)
4s tend to focus their feelings inward (in hopes of avoiding deeper shame)

Advice for those in the Heart Center

Instead of acting quickly based on your feelings, allow yourself to think first. Think about how your shame (which is likely the deep underlying cause of your feeling reaction) affects you and those around you.

The Head Center

The Head Center

The Head Center (or Thinking Center) is home to enneagram types 5, 6, and 7.

While these numbers all seem rather different, they share them same head instincts (as opposed to the gut or heart centers.)

5s, 6s, and 7s all take in life through their thinking (with their head) and generally respond based on what their minds are telling them to do.

5s, 6s, and 7s are all:
Concerned with: Strategies
Seeking: Security
Underlying Issue: Fear

Each of these enneagram types all deal with anxiety or fear as their head center issue. However, each types deals with the anxiety very differently.

5s tend to be anxious of the outside world (and thus try to isolate themselves)
6s tend to be anxious internally (and thus are always playing worse-case-scenarios)
7s tend to try to deny their anxiousness (and thus are always keeping their minds and bodies busy)

Advice for those in the Head Center

Instead of acting based on your thinking, allow yourself to “be” first. Think about how your fear/anxiety (which is likely the deep underlying cause of your thinking reaction) affects you and those around you. Don’t let that fear stop you from being your actual self with others.

Meditation by type

Here Are the Best Meditation Styles for Each of the 9 Enneagram Types:

If You’re a Perfectionist Enneagram Type 1: Burn Out Inner Anger

As a Type 1, your attention goes to improvement and getting things right. You can feel frustrated and annoyed that the world is such an imperfect place. Sometimes you turn this frustration on yourself and become really self-critical.

To help burn out some of this energy of anger and annoyance, try this three-minute meditation to burn out inner anger. In just three minutes, watch yourself reach a more relaxed, expansive state.

If You’re a Helper Enneagram Type 2: Cultivate a Calm Heart

As a Type 2, your attention goes to the needs of other people, and you strive to be liked and likeable. While you may focus a lot on others, you can be surprisingly disconnected from your own needs. With all your helpfulness, it is easy for you to get tired and drained without realizing it.

This meditation for a calm heart helps you reconnect with your own heart and your own goodness. Do this three-minute meditation as a journey back to yourself.

If You’re an Achiever Enneagram Type 3: Change the Ego

As a Type 3, your attention goes to achievement and being successful in the eyes of other people. You can get a little lost in competition and all the things that feed your ego. This disconnects you from your heart and your inherent compassion for others.

This meditation to change the ego helps you to connect with your Higher Self and relax your drive to always win. Do this three-minute meditation to reset your priorities.

If You’re an Individualist Enneagram Type 4: Resolve Inner Conflict

As a Type 4, your attention goes to what is missing, and you can get overly absorbed in the world of emotion. Remember that your emotional world is constantly changing, and feelings aren’t always the best guideposts for decision-making.

This inner conflict resolver meditation can help you stay centered and balanced in the face of your ever-shifting emotional world. Do this three-minute meditation to regain equilibrium.

If You’re an Investigator Enneagram Type 5: Wahe Guru Meditation

As a Type 5, your attention goes to scarcity and feeling like you don’t have enough. This causes you to shut down and hide.

We want to see and hear more of you so this Wahe Guru meditation with its accompanying mantra gives you the perfect opportunity to speak up.

This meditation style opens the Throat Chakra and helps you access your inner power. Do this three-minute meditation to share your voice with the world.

Use These 7 Mantras to Balance and Heal Your Throat Chakra

If You’re a Loyalist Enneagram Type 6: Meditation for Self-Authority

As a Type 6, your attention goes to danger and threats to your security, and you can experience a lot of anxiety imagining what could go wrong.

Scanning for danger is fine but acknowledging that you are perfectly capable of handling a wide range of situations is important too.

This meditation for constant self-authority reminds you that security resides within you, and there is no reason to look outside yourself for it. Do this three-minute meditation to stabilize yourself.

If You’re an Enthusiast Enneagram Type 7: Caliber of Life Meditation

As a Type 7, your attention goes to what could be fun, exciting, and new. Fear of missing out is very real for you, and this can leave you anxious and scattered.

This caliber of life meditation requires you to focus on your breath and to hold physical posture. This focus can actually be very healing for you. Do this three-minute meditation to focus yourself.

If You’re a Leader Enneagram Type 8: One-Minute Breath Meditation

As a Type 8, your attention goes to power and power dynamics. You like to control and dominate your environments, and you access anger pretty easily.

Sometimes you overwhelm others with your intensity and your communication style. This can be hard on you and those around you. This one-minute breath meditation teaches you to act, not react. Do this meditation style to manage your anger response.

If You’re a Peacemaker Enneagram Type 9: Breath of Fire Meditation

As a Type 9, your attention goes to maintaining harmony and a peaceful environment. You can forget your own priorities trying to keep other people happy, and you have a tendency to space out to avoid conflict.

This Breath of Fire meditation helps you to wake up and step into your power. Do this three-minute meditation to wake up to your true priorities.

Learn How to Practice Breath of Fire Pranayama In This Quick Tutorial

There Is a Perfect Meditation Style for Your Enneagram Type

This guide is to help you get started, but feel free to try any of the meditation styles above.

To get the most out of your meditation practice, try a single meditation style for 40 days in a row.

It takes just three minutes a day, and layer by layer and breath by breath, you’ll shed anger, anxiety, and shame, which will leave you with your inner radiance and grace. Happy meditating!

Lynn Roulo

Lynn Roulo is an American Kundalini Yoga and Enneagram instructor living in Athens, Greece. She teaches a unique combination of the two systems, combining the physical benefits of Kundalini Yoga with the psychological growth tools of the Enneagram. She blogs about living in Greece and her journey from being a San Francisco CFO to an Athens Yoga instructor.

Movies & the Enneagram

Discover the movie villain you'd be, based on your Enneagram type. #Enneagram #Personality

Here’s the Movie Villain You’d Be, Based On Your Enneagram Type

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Do you ever wonder which movie bad guy has your Enneagram type? When it comes to the heinous acts committed by big-screen villains, what are their motivations, fears, and drivers? And what can we learn about ourselves by looking at the evilest on-screen examples of each Enneagram type? That’s what we’ll be exploring in today’s article!

Here’s the Movie Villain You’d Be, Based On Your Enneagram Type

Enneagram 1 – Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest)

Enneagram 1 Villain, Nurse Ratched

“Aren’t you ashamed?” – Nurse Ratched

Controlling and strict, Nurse Ratched from the 1975 feature film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, captures the Enneagram One at its very worst. Cruel, authoritarian, and shaming, she won’t take any kind of mutiny or insubordination. Rather than causing outright physical pain, she causes psychological pain through her cruelty and vindictiveness.

In Randle Patrick McMurphy, nurse Ratched sees chaos, disorder, and someone who could get in the way of her smoothly-running, yet oppressive, system. She manipulates and uses her patients as an excuse to keep things running exactly as she wants them. While healthy Ones are accepting, wise, and tolerant, unhealthy Ones are self-righteous, inflexible, and condemnatory.

Ratched’s reaction to any kind of insubordination is to reproach, correct, condescend, and judge. Anyone who has known an unhealthy One will likely have experienced this kind of patronizing and “all-knowing” behavior. Average Ones are plagued by an “inner critic” that chastizes what they do and demands perfection. When Ones are as unhealthy as Ratched is, they identify with the inner critic, believe it’s their right to criticize and control, and become judgmental and narrow-minded as a result.

Discover More About Enneagram Ones: The Enneagram 1- The Perfectionist

Enneagram 2 – Annie Wilkes (Misery)

Enneagram 2 Annie Wilkes

“We’re put on this earth to help people Paul, like I’m trying to help you. Please, help me help you.” – Annie Wilkes

At first glance, Annie Wilkes seems to be all that is gentle and nurturing about Enneagram Twos. In the 1990 movie Misery, based on the Stephen King novel, Wilkes is a self-proclaimed “number one fan” of novelist Paul Sheldon. When he is injured in a car accident, she takes him into her home to nurse him back to health. However, it quickly becomes apparent that Wilkes is not the angel she appears to be. She’s actually a deranged psychopath who will stop at nothing to keep Sheldon under her control.

While healthy Twos are giving, generous, and compassionate, unhealthy Twos like Wilkes are self-serving, manipulative, and prideful. With one hand they give, and with another hand they take away. They feel entitled to what other people can provide them because, in their minds, they have given so much in the name of “selflessness.” Wilkes believes that Sheldon owes her everything because she nursed him back to health. In her mind, she saved his life and now he must repay her by giving her what she wants. When he doesn’t comply, she resorts to psychological and physical violence.

Discover More About Enneagram Twos: 21 Signs That You’re an Enneagram Two Type

Enneagram 3 – Calvin Candie (Django Unchained)

Enneagram 3 - Calvin Candie

“Your problem right now is making a good impression!” – Calvin Candie

Calvin Candie embodies all the most repulsive qualities of an unhealthy Enneagram Three. In the 2012 movie Django Unchained, he is a plantation owner in the deep south who profits from the exploitation of slaves. He is suave, narcissistic, and completely lacking in empathy. All he cares about is appearances, profit, and what people think of him. He will do anything to maintain his image as a wealthy and knowledgeable man. As an example of this, because French culture was highly esteemed at the time, Candie adopts certain superficial qualities of French culture only so he can be admired. Yet deep down he knows hardly anything about French culture and can’t speak any French either. When certain topics of conversation come up that he knows nothing about, he pretends to understand even though he has no clue.

While healthy Threes are ambitious, hardworking, and confident, unhealthy Threes like Candie are egotistical, exploitative, and superficial. They will do whatever it takes to get ahead, even if it means sacrificing their integrity or taking advantage of others. They are so focused on appearances that they often lose sight of what is truly important.

Discover More About the Enneagram Three Type: The Enneagram Type Three – The Achiever

Enneagram 4 – The Joker (Batman: The Dark Knight)

Enneagram 4 - The Joker

“I believe that whatever doesn’t kill you, simply makes you…stranger!” – The Joker

Many people type The Joker as a Seven in the Enneagram due to his chaotic and seemingly careless nature. However, while the Joker frequently implies that he has no plan, the truth is anything but. He is actually a very strategic thinker who is always has a few steps ahead of his pursuers. In the 2008 movie The Dark Knight, he creates all sorts of mayhem in Gotham City, but there is always a purpose to his madness.

Why does the Joker want chaos and destruction? It seems that this Joker is driven by the ideology of chaos more than chaos itself. This Joker wants to dismantle the establishment, and he believes that the best way to do that is by sowing discord and confusion. He wants to show people that there is no good, no purity, no true “heroes.” Ultimately, he wants people to face their own hypocrisy and darkness. This drive is something that drives most Fours; a drive to face the darkness in the self and to understand the human condition and find what’s real. Fours are consumed with discovering authentic identity – who people are, who they are, at their core.

The Joker wants to put a mirror up to society and show people how ugly they truly are.

While healthy Fours are creative, self-aware, and expressive, unhealthy Fours like the Joker are depressed, self-destructive, and melodramatic. They often feel misunderstood and alone in the world. Their creativity becomes a means of escape from their pain rather than a source of joy. The Joker’s unhealthy Four side seeks revenge on a world that never understood him. In order to further bond with his self-image he becomes detached from his humanity and exempts himself from the rules, seeing himself as a crusader for some kind of truth about human nature.

The Joker has an unusual insight into humanity, into the darkness and depravity that people try to hide. He’s not seeking fun for distraction from his fear, he’s seeking to create fear and shine a light on what he sees as the essential emptiness, vanity, and hypocrisy of people.

Discover More About Enneagram Fours: 7 Struggles of the Enneagram Four Type

Enneagram 5 – Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs)

Enneagram 5 - Hannibal Lecter

“I do wish we could chat longer, but I’m having an old friend for dinner.” – Hannibal Lecter

Hannibal Lecter is one of the most famous Enneagram Fives in movie history. He is an intelligent and highly articulate man who is also a cannibalistic serial killer. In the movie Silence of the Lambs, he is able to outwit everyone around him, even though he is locked up in a prison cell.

Fives are the Enneagram type that are most in touch with their intellect. They are highly analytical and always seeking to understand how things work. This desire for understanding can extend to people as well; Lecter wants to know what makes people tick. This is why he is such a successful serial killer; he takes the time to get to know his victims before he kills them. He wants to understand them, and in doing so, he can control them.

While Fives are often intelligent, insightful, and good at problem-solving, unhealthy Fives like Hannibal Lecter are also eccentric, provocative, and obsessive. They become so fixated on thoughts and analysis that they dehumanize others (and even themselves) in the process. Lecter’s secretive nature, along with the way he hordes information, is typical of Fives. Yet as a social Five subtype, he still longs for intellectual connection. He knows how to ration out information in exchange for intellectual connection or favors.

Discover More About Enneagram Fives: The Enneagram Five – The Investigator

Enneagram 6 – Darth Vader (Star Wars)

Enneagram 6 - Darth Vader

“You don’t know the power of the dark side. I must obey my master.” – Darth Vader

As a counterphobic Six, Darth Vader appears tough, powerful, and intimidating. Counterphobic Sixes don’t appear fearful like phobic Sixes, instead they turn their fear into strength and intimidation. They go against perceived danger aggressively and focus on skill and readiness.

Darth Vader appears in Star Wars as the master henchman of the Emperor and does his bidding without question. Vader is a skilled warrior and uses his strength to crush anyone who gets in his way. And while Vader may look like a heartless villain, deep down there is some tie to the good side – his love for his son, Luke.

Counterphobic Sixes, like all Sixes, are driven by fear. And while Vader puts on a stoic and fearless exterior, he is actually quite afraid. He is afraid of losing his power, of losing Padme (as Anakin), or of angering Emperor Palpatine. In fact, his fear of Palpatine and his anger at his perceptions of the Jedi and how they have “wronged” him fuel his connection to the dark side.

Enneagram expert Beatrice Chestnut states of counterphobic Sixes, “Through denying their feelings of fear to one extent or another, Sexual Sixes go against danger from a position of strength; therefore, they have a passion for searching for or securing a position of strength. And it’s not just a strong character they seek, but the kind of strength that makes somebody else afraid-they want to assume a power strong enough to hold the enemy at a distance.”

One of the strongest traits of Enneagram Sixes is their loyalty, and Vader showcases this throughout the films. He will do anything to protect Padme, and then eventually Luke. This loyalty can also be seen in his obedience to the Emperor. Vader may not always agree with the Emperor’s orders, but he will follow them without question. Many Sixes seek out support systems or authorities that can guide them and Vader is no exception.

Like all Sixes, Vader’s ultimate fear is always rooted in losing his loved ones. As a young Anakin he feared losing his mother, as a maturing Anakin he feared that he would lose Padme, which led him to the dark side. In fact, when Anakin first arrived at the Jedi temple, Yoda sensed “much fear” in him. But as a counterphobic Six, this fear is hardly evident.

“Sexual (counterphobic) Sixes give off the impression that they could get violent with anybody at any time, but that doesn’t mean that they have no fear. It is precisely out of a sense of fear that their anticipation of an attack comes-there is a somewhat paranoid imagining of danger, a belief that anyone can turn into a threat. However, these Sixes usually do not look afraid; their visible character could hardly be called “fearful” from the outside.” – Beatrice Chestnut, The Complete Enneagram

Discover More About Enneagram Sixes: The Enneagram 6 – The Loyalist

Enneagram 7 – Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare On Elm Street)

Enneagram 7 - Freddy Krueger

“We got six more minutes to play.” – Freddy Krueger

Enneagram Sevens are known as the “enthusiasts” and are driven by a need for adventure and excitement. They hate feeling restricted or bored and will often do whatever it takes to avoid those feelings. Fun-loving and curious, they look for opportunities in situations that would make other types feel trapped. Unfortunately, Freddy Krueger showcases a Seven that is clearly a sociopath. Please know as you read this that Krueger is not representative of Sevens as a whole. He’s a fictional villain and sociopath who goes to extremes that lie beyond the bounds of “unhealthy” Enneatype behavior.

Freddy is the embodiment of pure evil. He takes great delight in murdering innocent people in their dreams. He loves to play with his victims and enjoys watching them suffer. Freddy is also quite creative in his murders, coming up with new and startling ways to take down each person he comes across. Krueger’s creativity shows up in his methods of killing, in the elaborate dreams he weaves, and even in the jokes he cracks as he hunts and terrifies his prey. Like most Sevens, Freddy has a sense of charm, a sense of fun, and a sense of humor. Unfortunately, he uses all these qualities to hurt people rather than help them.

One of the childhood wounds of the Seven is that they felt in some way detached from the nurturing figure in their home growing up. Average Sevens might have experienced this detachment because a new child was born or their parent had to work outside the home. In Freddy’s case, his mother put him up for adoption and he was later taken in by an abusive alcoholic. Like all Sevens, Krueger sought comfort in distraction from his pain – in fun, humor, excitement, or thrills. However, his version of this was much darker and more harmful than most.

Discover More About Enneagram Sevens: The Enneagram 7 – The Enthusiast Type

Enneagram 8 – Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter)

Enneagram 8 - Lord Voldemort

“There is no good and evil. There is only power. And those too weak to seek it.” – Lord Voldemort

Voldemort is a villain who thinks of everything in terms of power. He is absolutely obsessed with becoming the most powerful wizard in the world and will stop at nothing to achieve that goal. His Enneagram type, the 8, is known as “The Challenger.” Eights are strong, decisive types who face risks and challenges head-on. They are often seen as forceful and intimidating, but they can also be very compassionate and generous. However, in Voldemort’s case, only the unhealthy qualities of the Eight show up.

“Much of their (8s) behavior is involved with making sure that they retain and increase whatever power they have for as long as possible…They often refuse to give in to social convention, and they can defy fear, shame, and concern about the consequences of their actions” – Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson, The Wisdom of the Enneagram

For Eights, childhood is often short and swift; they often feel like they need to “grow up” as quickly as possible. They develop the belief that it isn’t safe to be gentle or giving, because it feels vulnerable or “weak” to them. As a young child, Voldemort (then Tom Riddle), grew up in a bleak orphanage where he received little individual attention. He learned that to survive he had to become the bully – the intimidating force wielding authority and power over others. Enneagram 8s tend to be either courageous and protective or destructive and megalomaniacal, and unfortunately for the wizarding world, Voldemort chose the latter.

Discover More About Enneagram Eights: The Enneagram 8 – The Challenger

Enneagram 9 – Norman Bates (Psycho)

Enneagram 9 - Norman Bates

“We all go a little mad sometimes. Haven’t you?” – Norman Bates

Norman Bates is the Enneagram type 9, “The Peacemaker.” Nines are known for their easy-going nature, their ability to see both sides of every issue, and their capacity to remain calm in the face of adversity. They are typically very kind and compassionate people who want nothing more than to keep the peace. However, Nines can also be passive-aggressive, indecisive, and self-forgetting. In Norman’s case, he is a prime example of an Enneagram 9 that has gone “bad.”

Norman grew up with a domineering mother who constantly belittled him and made him feel worthless. As a result, he became extremely resentful and angry, but he never expressed these emotions directly. Instead, he internalized them, leading to a split in his personality. On the surface, Norman appeared to be a shy, gentle, and timid man. But underneath, he was seething with rage. This rage eventually manifested itself in the form of “Mother,” Norman’s alternate personality. “Mother” would take over whenever Norman felt threatened or upset, and he would lash out in violence.

One of the central experiences of the Nine childhood is a feeling of disappearing. Nines felt growing up that to assert their needs or themselves would create difficulties for their parents. It wasn’t allowed. Thus they struggled to actualize themselves outside of their relationship with their parents. They learned to stay in the background, go with the flow, and not cause a fuss. But underneath all of this numbness is an underlying anger. In Bates’s case, this anger showed up in his adopting his mother’s personality – in splitting into someone else entirely.

In extremely dysfunctional families, Nines dissociate in order to protect themselves from overwhelmingly negative feelings. Norman Bates’s story is a tragic example of what can happen when a Nine gets lost in their dissociation. Of course, I am not implying that unhealthy Nines will develop dissociative identity disorder (DID) or end up like Norman Bates. Like all of the examples in this article, we’re dealing with movie villains who show up in extreme ways and have qualities that are influenced by more than just Enneagram type.

Discover More About Enneagram Nines: The Enneagram Type Nine – The Peacemaker

The Best Spiritual Discipline for Your Enneagram Personality

The Enneagram personality test reveals your strengths and weaknesses, which are difficult to see clearly; without knowing your Enneagram type.

Spiritual disciplines tap into a power beyond yourself.

Put the two togetherspiritual disciplines and your Enneagram personality typeand you have a

  • custom-tailored prescription to rid the sin tendencies scarcely below the surface and unlock your unique mission.

These spiritual disciplines for each Enneagram type come from AJ Sherrill’s Enneagram and the Way of Jesus, which, at the time of this writing, you can download this book for free from fuller.edu here.

Sherrill opens this “Disciplines by Type” chapter with these ten powerful words,

“Information is good, and application is better, but transformation is best.”

Ready to be more transformed each week?

While there a few spiritual disciplines everyone needs for our time, each Enneagram type has a specific “downstream and an upstream” spiritual discipline to cultivate more abundant life freedom each week, specific to your personality.

Let’s dive in.

What are Downstream and Upstream Disciplines?

Each enneagram type has a “downstream” discipline and a more difficult but critical “upstream” exercise.

Downstream is explained in this way by AJ Sherrill:

“This practice will come easily to the Type as a result of personality and Triad. It is encouraged for the participant to continue this practice.”

And upstream?

“This practice will most likely not come easy to the Type. However, it is necessary because the prescribed discipline will challenge the weakness of each Type. Upstream disciplines are critical because these are the practices each type seeks to avoid. In avoiding upstream disciplines, disciples evade transformation.”

Like canoeing on a river, both are sometimes necessary, but downstream is a lot more fun and easy than paddling upstream.

But, sometimes upstream is the only way to get where you want to go.

Here are the most important spiritual disciplines specific to your Enneagram personality.

Enneagram Types and their Spiritual Disciplines

Enneagram Types and their Spiritual Disciplines

1 The Reformer – Nature Walks and Journaling

“The vice of Type One is anger, and the virtue is serenity. Practices, therefore, should be selected with this trajectory of transformation in mind.”

The One finds nature walks helpful as their downstream spiritual discipline, and their upstream discipline is journaling.

2 Helper – Hospitality and Centering Prayer

“Type Twos are paradoxes. Whereas they are often the greatest servants, their vice is pride.”

The downstream discipline of type two is hospitality, and the upstream practice is centering prayer.

“Centering prayer is a form of stillness that invites being over doing. This form of prayer demands the disciple to simply show up before God and relent any performance, action or doing.”

3 Achiever – Kataphatic Disciplines and Confession

“Spiritual disciplines that confront deceit and yield authenticity are valuable for threes. A preoccupation with image and perception prevent this Type from accessing their true selves.”

The threes downstream practices are kataphatic, spiritual disciplines like Bible study, or reading groups and spiritual courses, their upstream is confession.

An additional recommendation for threes from Sherrill is, “Other recommendations for this Type include frequent fasts from social media, which forfeit public displays of perception.”

4 The Individualist – Solitude, and Celebration

“Fours wrestle with envy and must strive for emotional balance.”

Their downstream spiritual disciplines include solitude and journaling; their upstream exercise is feasting and celebration, cultivating thankfulness.

5 The Investigator – Bible Study and Serving

“Fives are in a battle with greed and must move toward non-attachment. Although their greed may be monetary, often it is greed for knowledge.”

The downstream discipline for a five is Bible study, and their upstream is serving. Serving helps the investigator to get out of his head and engage his hands.

6 The Loyalist – Journaling and Scripture Memorization

“The vice of type six is fear, transformative practices will move this type from fear to courage.”

A sixes downstream spiritual discipline is singing and journaling, their upstream practice is scripture memorization.

“The reason Scripture memory can assist the Six in transformation is because it anchors the disciple to commit Scripture beyond reading.”

7 The Enthusiast – Celebration and Silence

“The transformation of Sevens is the invitation to move from gluttony to sobriety… Americans ‘supersize’ everything- burgers, alcohol, credit cards and entertainment, such as ‘binge watching’ television shows over the course of an entire weekend. Sevens are particularly prone to excess in various areas of life.”

The downstream spiritual discipline of a seven is celebration; their upstream is solitude and silence for a specified time each day.

8 The Challenger – Service, and Accountability

Type 8’s downstream spiritual discipline is service; the upstream discipline for an eight is accountability.

For eights, “Connecting with a small group in the local church or regularly pursuing open conversation with trusted friends must be intentionally sought or it will most likely never occur. Trusted friends are there to love in truth.”

9 The Peacemaker – Nature and Fixed-Hour Prayer

“Whereas the vice of the Nine is sloth, the virtue is action. Therefore, it is helpful to think of transformation for the Type in terms of engagement and conviction.”

The downstream spiritual discipline of type 9 is being in nature; their upstream discipline is fixed-hour prayer. Often referred to as “The Liturgy of the Hours.”

Sherrill adds this additionally for type nines, “It may also be helpful for this Type to consider meeting regularly with a spiritual director who can assist discerning life decisions.”

 

Enneagram Wings

How Enneagram Wings Work

Enneagram types take off (pun intended) with influences from an adjacent type. For example, a Type Two (The Giver) could take the wing of the Type One (The Perfectionist) or Type Three (The Achiever). Some people have influences from both possible wings—however, there’s usually a stronger (i.e., dominant) wing. 

Your dominant wing finds its way into your Enneagram type and acts as a sidekick to all of your inner motivations and goals. Although wings are commonly referred to as ‘extensions’ or ‘helpers’, they hold great power to unlock the potential of your multifaceted personality. And that’s where the exciting part comes it—the ability to recognize your patterns and change them!

As for notation, Enneagram wings are officially referenced to (in addition to your main Enneagram type) as ‘[Core Enneagram Type Number]w[Wing Number]’. For example, “5w6” reads aloud as “Five Wing Six”. In this case, the core Enneagram type is Five, and the respective supporting wing is Six

THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING ENNEAGRAM WINGS

How much do Enneagram wings matter in comparison to your core type? Before moving on to wings, it’s essential to understand the key ego fixations, motives, vices, and virtues of each Enneagram core type. 

By understanding wings, you can gain a clearer picture of what your inner motivations look like and how they emerge from your actions and thoughts. You’ll also be able to figure out which career paths align well with your interests and talents. On top of achieving your long-term career goals, you’ll also be able to explore potential lifestyles and environments in which you’d thrive in.

Although each of the nine Enneagram types can be influenced by both possible wings, there’s often a stronger one. It’s excessively rare — if not impossible — to have equally balanced wings. However, it’s not especially comm. It’s just as difficult to find a perfectly balanced ambivert who scores precisely 50/50 on the Introversion–Extraversion scale. 

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CORE TYPE AND WINGS

Can your Enneagram core type exist without its wings? 

Wings can be thought of as on a continuum, in line with your core Enneagram type. They’re attached to your core Enneagram type, which we discuss in more detail below: 

Your core Enneagram type (12345678, or 9) sets the framework for your behaviors and thought patterns. Your wing, on the other hand, branches out from your Enneagram roots and gives it a spinoff. It’s similar to having a coffee with a vanilla or espresso shot—which makes it all the more interesting!

EXAMPLES OF WINGS AND BEHAVIOR

Wings can significantly alter how behavior manifests in an individual. For example, a 3w2 would focus on getting ahead, aiming to acquire a fanbase or support network (the Two wing influence). The 3w4, in comparison, would primarily aim for originality and self-expression in their achievements.

The same core type that sports different wings results in different preferences under the same situation. For example, a 7w6 may opt for a career in stand-up comedy to combat their inner fears and anxieties with the Six wing. A 7w8, on the other hand, could gravitate towards travel blogging and explore the world while maintaining a large amount of creative freedom. 

You may have challenges distinguishing between two Enneagram types (with wings), in which the core Enneagram type and wing number is flipped, such as the 5w6 and the 6w5. It becomes more of a challenge if both numbers fall under the same triad (the Head triad, in this case). The 5w6 would place more value in their intellectual pursuits, whereas the 6w5 focuses on trying to eliminate their anxieties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE 18 ENNEAGRAM TYPES WITH WINGS

What does each Enneagram type look like, with wings? Find your personal description in a nutshell:

1w9: Practical and meticulous perfectionists with a knack for catching inconsistencies in others’ reasoning and judgment. 

1w2: Socially aware activists and advocates who work tirelessly behind the scenes to uphold high safety standards for others.

2w1: Deeply empathetic and caring individuals who find fulfillment in others’ happiness and well-being. 

2w3: Outgoing and productive organizers who thrive on connecting people together and being part of a group. 

3w2: Socially-savvy and popular go-getters who enjoy meeting new people and networking events.

3w4: Driven and organized ‘boss’ always on the go with new business ideas and projects — who finds great joy in efficiency and rewards.

4w3: Charismatic and individualistic artist with a sense of wonder about the underlying beauty in nature, as well as the spectrum of human emotions. 

4w5: Intense and artistic creator on a mission to use self-expression to highlight the universality of the human condition. 

5w4: Idiosyncratic (and often autodidactic) lone ranger who deeply values autonomy and mastery in a subject.

5w6: Detached and curious researcher who gains energy from digging into fascinating topics, under the radar.

6w5: Resourceful and dutiful team worker who highly values security and knowledge, often with a great sense of humor. 

6w7: Optimistic and fun-loving explorers of life with a (somewhat contradictory) need for safety and comfort. 

7w6: Happy-go-lucky and humorous experience junkie who is always on the search for new projects to undertake. 

7w8: Creative and innovative entrepreneur who enjoys experimenting and creating with new mediums and ideas.

8w7: Headstrong and confident self-starter who works hard and plays hard—paired with a fearless attitude. 

8w9: Servant leader who keeps others’ best interests in mind to preserve harmony and gently encourages them to take action.

9w8: Independent yet calm vagabond on a (rather quiet) mission to discover what makes society a kinder and more accepting place. 

9w1: Collected and pragmatic saver who values cooperation and justice, along with the feeling of being connected to others in their community.

When instinctual variants (six different stackings) are taken into account, this leads to 108 (18 Enneagram types with wings x 6 instinctual stackings) possible combinations.

It’s anything but cut-and-dry — and only covers the basic gist of the Enneagram basics. There are numerous extensions of the Enneagram, such as alternative triads, instinctual variants (as mentioned above), and many more. Ready for take-off?

IN SUMMARY: THE TAKEAWAY

  • Each Enneagram type has two adjacent wings

  • One of the adjacent wings is more dominant than the other

  • Wings can be thought to be on a continuum rather than a fixed label

  • Your behavior and personality are influenced by wings

  • There are 18 Enneagram descriptions with core type and wings 

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