I get this question a lot: “So now what do I do? Now that I know my Enneagram type, what do I do with it?” And importantly, “I am still...
The BOOK on AMAZON, AMAZON.fr, AMAZON.ca
This is the book David cared so much about writing. Bringing it to fruition was the passionate focus of much of our time, exploration, and thought the last many years of David’s life and was an honor for me to see through to completion. Within it holds David’s and my endearing understanding of human relationships and our devotion to contributing to a more loving world, comprised of more compassionate, self-secure, self-realized people.
A huge shoutout to Palmer-Daniels-trained Eric Salmon of Le Centre d’Études de l’Ennéagramme for his Enneagram-savvy editing and due diligence in the book having been published in 2022 by Grancher Publishing for Enneagram-curious, relationships-loving Francophones worldwide.
The Enneagram, Relationships and Intimacy —
in English >> in French >>
WHAT IS "OUR WORK" ABOUT, REALLY?
Well-being development for self-healing humans.
Honoring the call to come home.
Our relationship to ourselves—that’s where it starts. I have come to believe there is nothing more important, because our relationship to ourselves is what determines all else, including any and all of the relationships we will allow, pursue, or hope to cultivate with others. What is this “relationship to ourselves” about, really? It’s about that ache inside when we’re disconnected from self and the bliss inside when we’re not [disconnected]. This ‘work’ is the how-to of that innately spiritual call, the one wanting us to return home—home to self. Home to the presence within us that knows its own light and its own divine bliss. Home to the self embodies its inherent worthiness and it no longer starves for its own presence.
This is the work of getting there—to ‘that’ experience of self. To the experience of far more inner-connection and far less compulsion. This is self-awareness over habit, self-sovereignty over dependency, and self-compassion over shame. This is the work of radical self-honesty and a fascination for self-witnessing. This is the work of genuine self-connecting, that which liberates us from so much early-life induced, then self-induced and perpetuated human suffering, intrapersonal struggle, and crazy-making disconnect.
Sound like a plan? I promise it will be worth it!
MY TAKE
The Enneagram is the map. Compassion is the way.
You may have heard me comment about the name “Enneagram” and how its homonyms, akin to “candygram” and “telegram,” may readily mislead us. The wisdom held in that name is incalculable. “Ennea” means nine in Greek, “gramma” refers to a drawing or diagram—so hence the name and it stuck. A sacred nine-pointed geometric figure, “the Enneagram” symbol itself is an extraordinary visual representation of how non-randomly, highly ordered is the interwoven character development of human beings, that which comprise our across-evolution surviving “tribe.” The mankind tribe. It’s no accident we’ve made it this far. As in all of nature, something really intelligent is going on, and we are nothing short of a miraculous, cosmic slash scientific phenomenon.
As my years of study have continued, I have come to understand that our developmental pathways are not random but are instead immeasurably brilliant, intelligently organized, and intricately coordinated. We’ve been designed for survival, temperament by temperament, priority by priority, with each of us—in our own systemic way—contributing to a greater “‘whole.” We have developed collectively to ensure we have all the survival bases covered, the “what’s needed” for our kind gets covered, if not by one of us, by another.
We come loaded with varying talents that are organized by two driving priorities: The need to self-protect and the need to be loved. We are either warding off threat or pursuing, receiving, and ensuring worthiness—love worthiness. Nine self-organizing temperamental make-ups do all this heavy lifting for us, as each of our systems track our experiences, defend against threat, prop us up to make us worthy, and formulate ways to make sense of the mountains of temperament-filtered interpreted data, emotional transactions, and experiences—good and bad—that come to define how we see the world and our place in it.
This is the Enneagram system of personalities, and this is what, and much more, it’s been designed to teach us. Learning it opens up vastly expanded perspectives of both self and others. Perspectives that are far more compassionate, de-shaming, others-appreciating, and self-loving.
Whether we’ve been on the path of self-discovery for a while or this is all brand new, we just begin where we are. We are where we are.
Let’s get started.
PHONE
ENNEAGRAM
COACHING
ENNEAGRAM
TYPE INTERVIEWS
ENNEAGRAM
WORKSHOPS
ENNEAGRAM
for PARENTING
ENNEAGRAM
for RELATIONSHIPS
ENNEAGRAM
for ANGER MANAGEMENT
ENNEAGRAM
for RECOVERY & HEALING
ENNEAGRAM
for CRIMINAL REFORM
ENNEAGRAM
for SELF-LOVING
ENNEAGRAM TYPES at a glance
There are nine fundamental Enneagram “personality structures.”
Each of the nine Enneagram “personality structures” — organizing temperaments — is designed, first and foremost, for survival: the survival of the self-system — our sense of self, our physical selves too — of course, and collectively, our personalities are designed for the survival of the human species as a whole. Each of these personality structures is gifted with aptitudes, an organizing belief system, and a way of focusing attention that not only comes naturally but is evolutionarily contributory. Each has a sense of its value and potential worthiness, and each has its own way of defending, protecting, and self-regulating.
“So, what type — personality structure — am I,” you might be asking? Each of these “structures” resources particular inherent gifts, which is what it’ll readily strive to both bring to the world and find in the world. And on the flip side, each one firmly believes there’s “something” it cannot ever allow itself to be. That “something” is not an option. See which of these nine personality structures might call to you — might reflect you — the most:
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8
THE BOSS | THE CHALLENGER: Type 8s are exuberance-fueled, all-in, bring-it-on people that know they matter because they exist. Type 8s are staunch purveyors of the truth, of justice, of getting on with it, getting it done, and calling a spade a spade. Directness is given and expected. Fiercely loyal to those they hold dear, 8s possess an innocence that's heartfelt, present-moment, and as such, is deeply guarded. Trusting comes easy as a result, and the pain of trust's betrayal, of not being held and protected as they do for others, cuts deeply. Weakness is not an option.
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9
THE MEDIATOR | THE PEACEMAKER Type 9s are harmonizing peacemakers and conflict-diffusers. Type 9s are the exemplars of the “live and let live” mantra. Seemingly agenda-less and non-differentiating, Type 9s have an aptitude for aligning non-conflictually with others in a way that fosters a sense of acceptance and emotional safety. Type 9s can see all sides of a situation and make great mediators, trusted allies, and consistent supporters . Being difficult for others is not an option.
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1
THE PERFECTIONIST | REFORMER Type 1s are standard-makers and structure wizards. Type 1s strive for “betterment,” holding the bar high for themselves and all others, and the world at large as well. As the bar is achieved, it's moved a notch higher. There is no rest. Type 1s are tenacious, exemplars of goodness and fairness, and most often emotionally measured. The improvement-junkies of the Enneagram, getting above condemnation is the oasis. Lacking integrity (by not abiding one’s own moral code) is not an option.
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2
THE GIVER | THE HELPER Type 2s are generosity exemplars and the caring, giving people we all depend on and appreciate. Type 2s strive to meet the needs of others and do so without having to be asked. Type 2s have a knack for soothing others and nurturance tends to come naturally. Sensitive to not being appreciated after all that they do, they secretly hope their own needs might be met in the same way, by others, somehow. Perhaps that will happen if they just give more. Selfishness is not an option.
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3
THE PERFORMER | THE ACHIEVER: Type 3s are achievement-mavens and success-pursuers, however that may have been formulated in the eyes and developing self-image of a given Type 3. Type 3s come imbued with “I can do it” and they do, as setting a goal, hitting the target, and attaining the desired result and the corresponding recognition is what life is all about. Competitive and tenacious, 3s can compartmentalize their own feelings in lieu of the goal set. Time-wasting Inefficiency let alone failure is not an option.
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4
THE ROMANTIC | THE INDIVIDUALIST: Type 4s are meaning-makers and emotional journeyers. Type 4s are uniquely “something” memorable. They feel into the highs and lows of the emotional side of life, and they are drawn to the beauty and sorrows of the world with depth, care, and rebellion—with equal fervor. Type 4s strive for interpersonal authenticity and are drawn to that which others miss, overlook, or don't understand deeply enough. Disappointment is a friend. Beauty is an elixir. Mediocrity is not an option.
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5
THE OBSERVER | THE INVESTIGATOR Type 5s are the wisdom keepers and knowledge accumulators of the tribe. Type 5s are inquisitive, exhaustingly curious, insightful, and consistently postulating. For a 5, the mind is a sanctuary and getting to spend time there is cherished, coveted, and soothing. Type 5s are measured, private, and esoterically inclined, with their inner world being even more enticing than their outer life. Intellectual impotence is not an option.
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6
THE LOYAL SKEPTIC | THE TROUBLESHOOTER Type 6s are the prevention and preparedness specialists. Type 6s are vigilant, persistent, and industrious. With a near 6th sense for sussing out danger and potential pitfalls, they rigorously engineer a plan 'back to front' to get ahead of hazard or in control of it—to obliterate the uncertain and unknown, if at all possible, becomes an imperative. Types 6s strive to bring loyalty, trust, and dependability to the world, that which they cannot seem to find for themselves and doubt readily. Being unprepared and caught off guard is not an option.
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7
THE EPICURE | THE ENTHUSIAST: Type 7s are joy purveyors and positive-options seekers. Type 7s are electric, stimulating, quick-witted and ideas-synthesizers—even visionaries. Type 7s bring an optimistic spin to life and its many challenges. Obstacles are things you jump over. Desires are meant to be pursued. Life is meant to be lived, enjoyed, and adventured—why expect less? Limits, boredom, and negative thinking are avoided. "Getting stuck” in just about anything is not an option.
ENNEAGRAM TRIADS FOR DEEPER STUDY
INSPIRATIONS
Quotes I have loved [and an accompanying video link] that made me sit up and pay attention. Enjoy.
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FULL NAME: Suzanne Dion
PERSONAL: 1w9 | sx 1:1 | 1-4-7
ADDRESS: NY | CA
PHONE: (+1) 831 359 0332
EMAIL ADDRESS >>
ENNEAGRAM: suzannedion.com
DESIGN: chaeldiongroup.com