Each enneagram number has its roots in one facet of human existence, but goes to another.
I am a four (4). This number is called the individualist. I’m a very reflective person and delve deeply into my own psyche. I tend to be an intuitive thinker, but when things shift I shift to one of the thinking numbers, and either get idealistic or hyper critical. The hyper critical stage manifesting as a nihilism.
A five (5) is called the scientist, and she relates to everything by how she observes it to function. But if she experiences a shift she goes to an action number, and becomes a hyper worried fix it type, or a structured planner.
These numbers… where from do they derive? Oh, I have a reference on hand, and behaviours and traits are systematically organized based on insights distilled from the older world insight systems.
And boiled down into a questionnaire? Yes, just as spiritual guides have always had to do.
Do the Meyers Briggs tests work off these numbers? Basically yes, and the Meyers Briggs types, though having four axis, still focus on action, feeling, and thought.
Also based on Jung’s work? Yes. The fact that symbols repeat in human consciousness even without being “taught.”
I actually never found them that helpful to me. I can’t see myself as one or the other. You would be in the feeling triad. Powerfully moved and easily able to identify with most anything in life. Thinker oriented types and doer oriented types don’t have that attitude you do. But the system used does help you to find the strengths by matters of degree. It can maybe help you organize your perceptions to strategize your personal growth. Your spiritual “curriculum” if you will.
It is possible although extremely rare that someone can be balanced among all? Although even this is very debateable and isn’t necessarily a good thing? Actually, that type is the nine (9), and true, it is very challenging. They call the nine the peacemaker, because they see deeply that all the other views are valid. But they can come off as a politician, and have trouble inspiring trust in others though they trust others easily. A nine isn’t incapable of making a decision. They are just very broad minded. So a nine would find me both interesting and irritating, and feel quite comfortable with a five, though not know what to say to her.
I took the Meyers Briggs test way back in high school, and I think they might be rather different if I took them now. Very possible it would. We tend to have one personality as young people, but mature into another. Although Jung would argue there is a root that never changes in life. We just learn to use the others. This is also the Taoist view.
I’m Extroverted Intuitive Feeling Judging. You would likely be in the action set, and actually I suspect are maybe a one (1). One is called the reformer, and is the complimentary opposite of the peacemaker. One’s have a very clear understanding of their life and their view of the world, and feel a strong motivation to assist people in reaching a clear understanding of things. The drawback being is they can be very focused on a single understanding to the point of rigidity.
A reference might help you discover your enneagram type better, and there are shades, and even shades of the types. My subtype is called the bohemian. I’m an individualist, and will not allow definition of things in life to supersede my own experience.
I think you and I have the same Myers Briggs. Does that mean we have the same enneagram too? Not necessarily, but it is possible, and we might have similar life experiences and adaptive skills, but still our own take on specific things in our lives.
Your thoughts are welcome. Be well friends.
Travis Saunders
Dragon Intuitive
~science,mysticism,spirituality~