As a matter of fact, it can be quite tricky. Nowadays, it usually only takes me a few minutes of interaction to reduce the list to 2 or 3 potential ennea-candidates. Finding the basic enneatype, however, often requires more work. In addition, there is still some debate about whether you are one type, or rather have all the types in you?
What is an enneatype anyway? In my previous blog (and on my website), you can find a description of the Enneagram used as a process model. Just as a reminder: the nine points along the perimeter of the circle describe the 9 different phases of a process.
The 9 enneatypes correspond to the energies of these phases. For example enneatype 1 (the perfectionist) usually occupies himself with the desires and intentions of a situation and how things can be improved. Enneatype 2 (the helper) is investigating how she can help others, and makes the effort to do so etc. (If you want to know more about the ‘typical’ behaviour of each enneatype, check out the descriptions of the enneatypes and characteristic defence mechanisms).
Now, there are different schools in ennea-land with regard to the number of strategies used per person. Some believe that you are one type. Others take the more dynamic view that every person has all types in them.
The Enneagram is a model that summarizes the laws of the universe in one symbol. It is based on the based on the premise that we all come forth from ‘oneness’, 'unity' or 'source‘. If we come from a place of oneness, then to me, it is logical to conclude that we are a whole enneagram and thus, in principle, have access to all types and energies. This does not mean we have no preferences.
My personal experience is that I have two almost equally strong strategies in me, namely the behavior of enneatype 9 (the mediator) and that of enneatype 5 (the observer). In addition, I use quite often defence mechanisms of different types. I have been very fearful at times (e.g. too afraid to drive a car for six years) with a focus on potential problems rather than solutions, in line with enneatype 6 (the loyalist). When my daughter was born, I was suddenly overwhelmed by enneatype 2 (the helper) behaviour. I suppressed my own needs and started to decide for others (including my husband) what they needed (which makes a lot of sense, if you are in the mother energy and need to decide everything for your child). Some time ago I got stuck in a phase when everything was fun to the point where I found myself rationalizing away pain like enneatype 7 (the optimist). Not wanting to complain too much about that phase (who does not want to have fun?), the fun achieved by avoiding negative emotions (read my blog Avoiding pain - at any cost?) tends to come with a price tag attached to it…
So, which type am I? In terms of behaviour, I now have a couple of coats to choose from. In terms of my deepest motivations I tend to identify mostly with the harmony seeking 9. Which incidentally is also easily identifies with all the other types. So, maybe I am ‘only’ a 9 after all?
Or maybe it does not really matter whether we 'are' one type or many… The beauty of the Enneagram is that many visions happily co-exist side by side within the same symbol. The enneagram can, for example, also be viewed as a model of the spiritual development of a human being. As a matter of fact, you can project anything you like on the enneagram – in that sense it is a perfect mirror. And that is the only way things could be – the enneagram is, after all, a model that summarizes the basic laws on the universe in one symbol.
Today we have explored the concept of the 'enneatype' and where our personality type comes from. In three upcoming blogs we will dive even deeper into the energies of the enneagram and the basics of how to recognise our own ennea-strategies (as well as those of others).
Questions and comments are always welcome! Please Share this blog, if you like what you are reading!
If you want professional help determining your dominant enneatype(s) you can always book a personal Life Coaching session with me.