Enneagram Explained 😇 The Virtues & Vices 🙏 (Golden Shadow) 🥹 Learn the Enneagram

we’re doing our type wrong

We’re trying to achieve our type’s “virtue” backwards - by doing our “sin” via the behaviour of our “fixation.” Our “virtue” feels *dangerous* to us (personality trap). 

You might say: “What do you mean I can just be __(virtue)__?”

Our personality/ego creates a tangled web, hoops to jump through, beliefs, blocks, imaginary threats. And that obstacle course is our “fixation.” This is how we do our sin (in order to achieve our “virtue”). Confused yet?

Our ego/type tells us that if we do our “fixation” we will achieve the “virtue.” But it doesn’t work that way. You have to let go of the fixation in order to achieve the virtue.

This is what is known as the Personality Trap. It’s the LIE that keeps the pattern running. It’s the belief that we have to be a certain way to exist. It’s the carrot on the end of the stick that we can never reach. (See more on Personality Traps here).

Obviously it doesn’t work! And the more we try and achieve that “Virtue” (the wrong way) the more we dig into our Personality Trap/Fixation and act out our Vice/Sin.

It’s an elaborate illusion that prevents us from JUST BEING.

TYPE ONE

Type 1 is trying to achieve “serenity” via “anger” - being overly critical, judgmental, perfectionistic, hunting out what’s bad, wrong, inefficient, unacceptable. By perfecting, judging and correcting they will finally be able to be “serene.”

They seek serenity and release from their ego’s death grip by *fixing* things, others, themselves.

But 1's can *just be*: perfect, free of judgment, good, right, acceptable, efficient, whole by just allowing what is without taking a red pen to it.

This need to achieve serenity is expressed outwardly as anger. 

TYPE TWO

Type 2 is trying to achieve “humility” via “pride” - being overly nurturing, flattering, giving, self-sacrificing, other-oriented and even intrusive in the pursuit of being indispensable and necessary. 

They seek humility and release from their ego’s death grip by fixating on others’ needs and neglecting their own, and becoming needed by others. Because then it “justifies” them finally getting their needs met. (But it actually makes them appear covertly narcissistic, because they often make what other people are doing all about them.)

2's can just give themselves what they want. They don’t need to ingratiate themselves to justify getting their needs and desires met. They need to own their needs instead of getting that justification indirectly.

TYPE THREE

Type 3 is trying to achieve “truthfulness” via “deceit” - by fixating on accomplishments, achievements, their “image”, their value, how they measure up, then they will finally be able to be authentic.

They seek authenticity and release from their ego’s death grip by fixating on what will get them positive attention or will allow them to feel valued, appreciated, loved and/or admired.

But 3's can just be authentic and derive their worth and value from being true to themselves, loving themselves, and inspiring others to do the same. If they let go of the need for external validation, they become free to just be who they are and that is enough.

TYPE FOUR

Type 4 is trying to achieve “equanimity”(even-temperedness) via “envy” - by fixating on authenticity, separation, beauty, horror/darkness, “the truth” (truth of human condition/depth/beauty), then they will finally be  able to be even-tempered, calm, without ill-will or frustration.

They seek equanimity and release from their ego’s death grip by fixating on how different, unique, cursed, deep, romantic, dark, creatively separate they are. Which of course, only serves to do the opposite as they often present as melodramatic, pretentious, moody and cringe-ily “dark.”

But 4's can just be equanimous and derive that sense of “separation”, “depth” and “uniqueness” just by fully embracing that they’re part of the human miasma and their relatability will actually deepen both their experience and their expression. And dare I say, embodying abundance.

TYPE FIVE

Type 5 is trying to achieve “non-attachment” (openness, letting go) via avarice, withholding, hoarding, “objectivity”, logic, competency and specialization. Once they have that on lock, they will finally be able to withstand the intrusive, invasive nature of reality.

They seek non-attachment through means of actualizing some kind of competency concern, a specialization, insight that creates a rejection wall between themselves and the masses. By rejecting entanglements and emotional messiness, it allows them to fend off attacks, invasions, intrusions and having to be part of the proletariat.

But 5's can just be non-attached, open and let go of the fear by normalizing being  present in the human experience that they reject. 

TYPE SIX

Type 6 is trying to achieve “courage” (self-trust) via overdoing security. they do this by outsourcing their thinking to others (experts, institutions, leaders, academia, books, someone they admire, etc) and seeking agreement or support from those around them. Then finally, when they know enough and have garnered enough stability, they can “leave the nest” and confidently trust themselves.

When 6's trust themselves over others, and turn inwards first versus outwards they can build up their courage and become brave warriors and leaders. Security must be found from within, or the feeling of security in the “insecure.” Learning to pull up trust and let go of outcomes, even the worst of circumstances will enable them to become more self-assured.

TYPE SEVEN

Type 7 is trying to achieve “sobriety” (presence, focus, calm, gratitude) via “gluttony” - pursuing many interests, shiny objects, experiences, people. They’re driven by frustration like Goldilocks. They want to find the juiciest peach that will always satiate them. Then finally, they can settle down and be present.

The problem is that there is no juicy, eternal delicious peach. The 7 can only truly experience presence, appreciation, gratitude and freedom by allowing those sensations into the present moment. Appreciating the boring instead of planning the next adventure or pursuit. Staying with what is, instead of what could be. Ingratitude only attracts more frustration and disappointment. So finding the ‘green pastures’ with what they already have is key to 7's actually getting what they want, deep down.

TYPE EIGHT

Type 8 is trying to achieve “innocence” (vulnerability, openness) via “lust”. They overdo power, expansion, acquisition, and domination. Once they finally feel safe in their rejection castle, then they finally allow themselves to let the wounded, vulnerable, innocent child inside out.

It can seem like life or death to let their guard down, but 8's can only truly achieve true leader and protector status by becoming more benevolent and tapping into their innocence, tenderness, care, softness and vulnerability. They have to allow themselves to be attacked, betrayed, and exploited. They’ll find they’re pleasantly surprised by the relationships they can build when they’re not trying to control everyone and everything that might be in their field of view.

TYPE NINE

Type 9 is trying to achieve “action” (aligned and self-propelled) via “sloth”. They overdo inaction, procrastination, dissociating from what they really want, following other people’s agendas in the hopes that they will finally find the sustained motivation to do what they deeply desire and be who they truly want to be.

By putting “inner peace” and “harmony” above their own desires it creates a dissonance in themselves and resentment builds up. It’s important for 9's to locate what they desire, or take actions toward locating it by trying different things that appeal to them (regardless of if it causes short term conflict, rubs someone the wrong way, or causes them discomfort). The more they practice this, the more aligned they become to their true heart’s desires and the more aligned their actions become.