Do you have problems identifying your Ennea-gram Personality Type? Maybe findi= ng your “Centre” or your Ennea-gram Triad first would help.

The 9 Types are not arbitrary, they fall into groups of 3 within each Triad. Each of the 3 Triads are associate= d with a “Centre” or function of human intelligence:

w = Instinctive Triad, or gut ce= ntre (8/9/1)<= o:p>

w = Feeling Triad, or heart cent= re (2/3/4)

w = Thinking Triad, or head cent= re (5/6/7)

The Triads represent the three main clusters of issu= es and defenses we have, and reveal the principal ways we contract our awareness a= nd limit ourselves.

The Instinctive Triad (8/9/1)<= /p>

Concerns: Resistance & Control of the

Environment=

Issues: Aggression & Repression

Seeks: Autonomy

Underlying Feeling= : Rage

<= /span>

The Instinctive Triad is concerned with the instinct= s of the body, basic life function and survival. The ability to= balance their instinctual energy, their vitality and life force. 8/9/1s employ ego boundaries= in an attempt to use their will to affect the world without being affected by it. That is, they resist being influen= ced by current reality, becoming self-forgetting or defensively resisting the influence of others. They are hooked by the present, perceptually.

When they are healthy, they relate to their environm= ent and to others exceptionally well, with a deep wisdom from within.

Eights ̵= 1; The Challenger

[Overexpress= es instinctual energy, using too much energy for the matter at hand]

Focus of attention and energy is directed outward ag= ainst the environment, so that nothing can get too close and control or hurt them= . They repress their vulnerability a= nd tenderness. They have tremend= ous vitality and a keen intuition. They are powerful and dominant, and not afraid to act out their rage.

Nines –= ; The Peacemaker

[Out of touc= h with instinctual energy, zest for life]

Energy is directed against both inward and outward &= #8220;threats”. They do not want certain feelings = and states to disturb their peace, and at the same time they do not want to be hurt. They repress their inst= incts and their responses become “frozen”, resulting in apathy and lo= ss of vitality. They have a centeredness that enables them to remain calm. They are accommodating and often d= eny their rage.

Ones –= The Reformer

[Underexpres= ses instinctual energy, by trying to control it]

Energy is directed inward against their internal imp= ulses, trying to keep them from getting into consciousness. These are aspects which they do not trust or approve of, and they suppress these powerful instinctive drives and emotions. They seek perfectio= n, and see anger as a character flaw and repress their rage. They are aggressively self-critica= l, and become tense and rigid from inner conflict.

<= /span>

Th= e Feeling Triad (2/3/4)<= /p>

Concerns: Love of False Self & Self-Imag= e

Issues: Identity & Hostility

Seeks: Attention

Underlying Feeling= : Shame

<= /span>

The Feeling Triad is concerned with developing a self-image and becoming identi= fied with it. They use it to attra= ct love, attention, approval, and a sense of value. As they focus on how others see th= em, they could get out of touch with their real feelings. They could lack a proper love of self. Their two major themes involve identity issues (“Who am I?”) and problems with hostili= ty (“I hate you for not loving me in the way I want!”). They are hooked by the past, emotionally.

When they are healthy, their feelings are the focus of what is admirable about t= heir personalities., becoming highly valued for their interpersonal qualities.

Twos – The Helper

[Overexpresses feelings, expressing only positive feelings, repressing the rest]

Self-image is presented outwardly to others, looking for positive responses to their friendliness, helpfulness to build up self-esteem. They are interested in playing the= role of nurturer, and try to present a loving image. They have difficulty knowing what = their own feelings are telling them. They frequently feel unappreciated, and yet must conceal the hostile feelings th= is generates. They become ultrag= ood to avoid feeling shame.

Threes – The Achiever

[Out of touch with real feelings]

Self-image is presented both to self and to others.&n= bsp; They seek value through accomplishment, trying to become a valuable person. They want to be seen = in a good light, according to socially agreed-upon norms. They need positive affirmation from people, and also attempt to create and sustain an internal picture of themselves, engaging in internal “self-talk.” They become outstanding in perform= ance and achievements to avoid feeling shame.

Fours – The Individualist

[Painfully self-conscious, underexpress= es feelings by withholding direct expression]

Self-image is presented inwardly to themselves, tending to create and maintain moods rather than feel current feelings. They need to be “different”, original, and often feel estranged from others. They h= ave a strong need to express themselves. <= /span>Less healthy Fours see themselves as victims and prisoners of their pasts. They dramatize their losses and hu= rts to avoid feelings of shame.

<= /span>

Th= e Thinking Triad (5/6/7)<= /p>

Concerns: Strategies & Beliefs

Issues: Insecurity & Anxiety

Seeks: Security

Underlying Feeling= : Fear

<= /span>

The Thinking Triad is concerned with finding a sense of inner guidance and support. They are future-orie= nted, asking, “What’s going to happen to me?” They have difficulty making decisi= ons and determining how to move into the future. They are hooked by the future, behaviorally. Their mind is an inner chatterbox,= forever coming up with strategies, reacting to fear.

When they are healthy, they have remarkable insights, ideas, ability to understa= nd things, and are profoundly perceptive.

Fives – The Investigator

[Overexpresses thinking, mentally inten= se]

Flee inward, believing that the only safe place is in= their minds. They retreat until they learn something or master a skill that would allow them to come out of hidi= ng. They are convinced that support and guidance are not available or reliable, and that they must “go it alo= ne.” They rely on their own resources, = and find safety in knowledge and/or withdrawing.

Sixes – The Loyalist

[Out of touch with inner guidance]<= o:p>

Flee inward to avoid external threats and outward to avoid internal fears. They bounce around a reactive cycl= e. They look for guidance from others, ironically to become independent. They seek approval from authority figures, or/then they rebel against authority to prove their independence. They try to control their fear thr= ough vigilance. When healthy, they have the a= bility to foresee potential problems.

Sevens – The Enthusiast

[Underexpresses thinking, thinking too = quickly without ramifications of their actions]

Flee outward to avoid aspects of their inner world. They charge into life, appearing courageous and adventurous. T= hey’re escaping the fear of being trapped in emotional pain, grief, and anxiety. They keep active and their minds occupied so that underlying anxieties and hurts will not surface. They respond to lack of guidance by trying everything, going after what they think will give satisfaction and security.

While you may be able to communicate better with people in your Triad, relationsh= ips with people from other Triads can help bring elements of your personality i= nto balance. One of the Enneagram= ’s goals is to teach you to observe and harmonize all three centres within you= .

The first reason to study the Enneagram is to develop a working relation with <= span class=3DGramE>yourself. The second reason is to be able to understand people as they see themselves, and not how you see them.

Note: Descriptions and names used ar= e by Don Riso and Russ Hudson.