The Art of Typing: Powerful Tools for Enneagram Typing

Read: January 2023

This is my "tie-breaker" book when I do typing interviews for the Enneagram. It is excellent and gives concise illustrations for each type. The biggest gem is the tie-breaker feature which has questions to parse out the types when you have a a tie in a test. It makes it very clear. I also love the illustrations in it. Great book!

All that said, one should not type clients without suitable training in the Enneagram. It is quite nuanced. I was asked to type people, but I refrained until I was part of a nine-month training cohort.

Motions of the Soul and Enneagram Personality Styles by Clare Loughrige

 

Enneagram Personality Styles: A tool for self-knowledge and transformation by Clare Loughrige
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think this book makes a lot more sense if you take the training that goes with it. It was good for review after the course. Here is a link to the Loughrige training: https://ccmonline.org/equip/e

I want to mention that the trainers are fabulous people. Just being in their presence at the training was a real treat. 

Even when going through the training, I wondered how I would apply this in my Spiritual Direction practice. I had already been through a nine-month training cohort in the Enneagram through another group, and I wondered if this training would help me, but I find that I apply it almost every day!

Motions of the Soul: The Enneagram meets Ignatius ©The iEnneagram by Clare Loughrige MMin.

This part of the training connects the Enneagram to Ignatian practices. I loved it combined with the training that I mentioned in the review above. 

View all my reviews

Enneagram Type Two "Releases and Affirmations"

I talked about this in my last post. Many releases may be things a Type Two has never done or things he or she has done in the past, but it is a good list for people in the full range of Type Two from Healthy (Levels 1-3) to Unhealthy (Levels 7-9) (See The Wisdom of the Enneagram, p. 134) 

Here they are: 

Transformations for PERSONALITY TYPE TWO (Enneagram Transformations, p. 41-48)

I NOW RELEASE all feelings of rage and resentment toward others.

I NOW RELEASE all attempts to justify my aggressive feelings. 

I NOW RELEASE all attachment to feeling victimized and abused. 

I NOW RELEASE the fear that I am unwanted and unloved. 

I NOW RELEASE all attempts to force others to love me. 

I NOW RELEASE making others feel guilty for not responding sufficiently to my needs. 

I NOW RELEASE abusing food and medications to make up for my loneliness. 

I NOW RELEASE feeling that others owe me for the things I have chosen to do for them. 

I NOW RELEASE believing that no one willingly takes care of me. 

I NOW RELEASE expecting others to repay my help in the way I want. 

I NOW RELEASE all physical ailments, aches, and complaints. 

I NOW RELEASE calling attention to what I have done for others. 

I NOW RELEASE feeling possessive of loved ones. 

I NOW RELEASE doing things for others to make myself needed. 

I NOW RELEASE flattering others to make them feel good about me. 

I NOW RELEASE not wanting to acknowledge my negative feelings. 

I NOW AFFIRM that I own all of my feelings without fear. 

I NOW AFFIRM that I am clear and conscious of my motives. 

I NOW AFFIRM that I am lovable for who I am. 

I NOW AFFIRM that my happiness does not depend on pleasing others. 

I NOW AFFIRM that I can let go of loved ones. 

I NOW AFFIRM that I nurture my own growth and development. 

I NOW AFFIRM that I love others without expecting anything in return. 

I NOW AFFIRM the joy and warmth that fills my heart. 

I NOW AFFIRM my gratitude for all that others have given me.

Enneagram Type FIVE Wings and Connecting Points

I have to do a write up for the class that I am missing next week. For some reason, the template my instructor sent me makes it so that my spell check in Word does not work (really a bummer because the total document for two different types is almost 20 pages). So, I got this brainy idea to put it in here so I don't have to hunt for the misspelled words. Since it is here, I thought I would share what I learned about the Type FIVE wings and connecting points yesterday. My son is a Type FIVE, and I have such a special place in my heart for FIVES! Enjoy! 

TYPE FIVE WINGS: “Hey FOUR and SIX, Please, Won’t You Be My Neighbor So We Can Fly?”[1]

Wagner believes the type is nuanced by the paradigms on either side either to expand the world of adaptive options or add to the repertoire of not-so-resourceful reactions.  Riso and Hudson give descriptions of wings in the healthy and average range which parallel Wagner’s complimentary/distorting lenses. 

Complimentary Lens of Style FOUR: Thoughts become more connected to feelings. Can be a better balance between the detached observing attitude with a passionate interest and involvement in life. Relationships are important and replace theoretical interests. Can tap into creative capacities and rational, analytic abilities. Find ways to express themselves through art instead of secreting themselves in silence (Wagner, p. 367-368).

The Five with a Four-Wing: The Iconoclast (I do not like this name. Most would not know what it means.)

Healthy – They are more emotional than Five with Six-sing. They are not scientifically oriented and often creative loners, mixing passion and detachment. They can be whimsical and inventive. They are often drawn to the arts and use imagination more than the analytic, systematic parts of their minds.  This wing type is a combination of curiosity and perceptiveness that desires to express a unique, personal vision (Riso and Hudson, p. 212).

Distorting Lens of Style FOUR: Can accentuate inner sense of being different and misunderstood. Instead of connecting with the world, can pull back further to observe, becoming more aloof, moody, and depressed, aggravating weak sense of self adequacy. Retreating into fantasies instead of interacting with real people and problems, can use symbolism and artistic expression as a shield between authentic self and others, performing in place of truly engaging (Wagner, p.368).

Average – Can struggle with intense feelings that create difficulties in sustaining efforts and in working with others. More independent and resist having structures imposed. Interests are toward the surreal and fantastic rather than the rational or the romantic and can easily get lost in their own cerebral landscape. Have difficulty staying grounded and can become impractical (Riso and Hudson, p. 213).

Complementary Lens of Style SIX: Further able to commit themselves to people and causes. Can take a position and fight for it. Tend to be undercommitted and under loyal, but with SIX foster faith in and fidelity to themselves and others. SIXES feel safe in groups and FIVES feel threatened by groups and feel safer alone. SIX helps connect with others in a team spirit, virtue of courage animates FIVES to step assertively into the world (Wagner. p.368).

The Five with a Six-Wing: The Problem-Solver

Healthy – Have ability to draw meaningful conclusions from facts and to make predictions. Seek a niche that will provide security and that fits into a larger context. Often drawn to technical subjects. Can be cooperative, disciplined, and persistent and are more interested in practical matters than the Five with a Four-Wing.  Many can combine innovation with business savvy (Riso and Hudson, p. 213).

Distorting Lens of Style SIX: FIVES mistrust others, further encouraging their tendency to remain on the sidelines. Their anger manifests in hidden suspicious thinking instead of getting expressed in healthy assertive behavior. FIVES with a fearful wing lose faith in and doubt themselves even more. Hesitations about getting involved gets compounded by the SIXES indecision and fear of upsetting authority. Get more concerned about what others think of them, tend to be more reticent instead of telling it like it is or speaking up for themselves (Wagner, p. 369).

Average – Most purely intellectual of all. Interested in theories, technology, and acquiring facts and details. Analysts and catalogers of the environment who enjoy dissecting the components of a problem to discover how it works. Extremely restrained and private about feelings, and attention is more toward things than people; but they do identify strongly with key people in their lives. Not particularly introspective and prefer to observe and understand the world around them. Can be more argumentative and defensive in their views with the other wing (Riso and Hudson, p. 213). 

TYPE FIVE CONNECTING POINTS

STRESSFUL CONDITIONS

FIVE DISINTEGRATES TO SEVEN: They cope with stress by becoming narrower in their focus and by retreating into the sanctuary of their thoughts. When this does not allay their anxiety, they may go to the Seven, reacting against their isolation by impulsively doing activities. They become restless and agitated and their minds speed up and feel compelled to distract themselves from the growing fears. They may act out by searching for stimulation and experience (movies, drinking, drugs, sexual escapades). Under extreme stress, Fives defend against their anxieties by becoming aggressive and insensitive in pursuit of whatever they feel they want at the time (Riso and Hudson, p. 226-227).

Distorting Lens of Style SEVEN: FIVES move further into their heads, intellectualizing, systematizing, and spiritualizing even more to avoid taking any action. They steer clear of pain and suffering as the SEVEN paradigm recommends. They let their fear of being hurt stop them from being assertive and moving out into the world. Then, they experience their powerlessness, fall back, and become immobilized. May give up on ability to analyze and probe deeply and distract with superficial diversions. Pursue many interests simultaneously without completing any one of them (Wagner, p. 362).

Correcting Lens of  Style SEVEN: In stress, FIVE can utilize the high side of Seven and move towards others.  They can draw upon their own and SEVENS‘ humorous light style to facilitate their engaging others and being more friendly and sociable. They can use their humor to break the ice and interact. The SEVEN approach helps FIVES be more spontaneous and playful and this can take the edge off of their social encounters.  Saying things in a humorous or witty fashion may also help them be more confrontive an assertive as they challenge others. SEVENS‘ view of the planet as being a world of opportunities, complements the FIVES‘ perspective that the world is out to deny them or deprive them (Wagner, p. 363-364).

SECURE CONDITIONS

FIVE INTEGRATES TO THE EIGHT: Fives actualize themselves and remain healthy by learning to reclaim their physical presence and instinctual energy in the manner of a Healthy Eight. They come out of their head and into deeper felt contact with their vitality and physicality. With this, they become more fully into their worlds and apply their knowledge and skill to immediate practical problems. By joining the real world, they harness their mental abilities and expertise strategically and constructively like a high-functioning Eight (Riso and Hudson, p. 230).

Correcting Lens of  Style EIGHT: Eight style helps FIVES get in touch with their own personal power. They can adopt the EIGHTS‘ self image of  “I am powerful; I can do,“ they believe they can influence and change the situation. They do have something to offer. As they associate to their inner authority, they stand up for and proclaim what they believe in. They are in touch with their instinctual energy. Emotions, thoughts, and physical energy all work in harmony and flow into effective action in the world. They apply their knowledge rather than keeping it in their head. FIVES are able to protect and enlarge others rather than fearing them and holding back or retreating from people.  They are able to move against (8) in addition to moving away from (5). They can own their assertive powers and reach out instead of pulling back. They can say what they want and what they don’t want. They can ask for what they need and throw out what they don’t need. They can use their power and strength to establish and maintain stronger boundaries, setting limits instead of yielding their territory. They stay in the ring and don’t jump out a the first sign of pain or opposition. They are no longer afraid to be seen and heard. Allowing themselves to be transparent, they come out in the open instead of staying concealed. The believe they have something to say and they want people to hear them. So they climb up on their soapbox instead of hiding underneath it (Wagner, 365-366).

Distorting Lens of Style EIGHT: Can become aggressive instead of assertive. They can become mean and cruel and use their power to grasp, hold onto, and remain stingy instead of being magnanimous and generous. Might be bullies at home while being mild-mannered in public. May exaggerate their independence and become more self sufficient, isolated, and anti-social.  With help from paranoid SIX neighbors, may believe others are out to take advantage and make fools of them. Become wary and hypervigilant (Wagner, p. 366).

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[1] [1] Nine Lenses on the World by Wagner and The Wisdom of the Enneagram by Riso and Hudson.

Instinctual Variant Test Results

Instinctual Variant Test Results Sexual ||||||||||||||| 42% Social |||||||||||||||||| 58% Self Preservation |||||||||||| 34%

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100. Nine Lenses on the World: the Enneagram Perspective

This is my primary text for the Studio E (Enneagram) Professionals Certification I am currently taking from October to May. I am glad I learned about personality theory in graduate school because this author refers to many of those early pioneers. This is definitely more academic in origin than other books I have read on the Enneagram (I think I am up to nine books now). It is not my favorite, but it is quite thorough on the explaining end. 

I think if I had to pick my favorite, it would be The Wisdom of the Enneagram for its comprehensive nature and practical application exercises sprinkled throughout. I am also a little biased because I love Russ Hudson's teaching, having taken a class on the instinctual variants in 2018-2019, and currently taking another one this fall on the Holy Ideas. He has such a heart, and I think he understands Type Two a lot better than most Enneagram experts. Riso and Hudson make The Wisdom of the Enneagram generic for all faiths (and might be alarming for some evangelicals), but I hear Riso's Ignatian roots throughout that book. I also really love The Sacred Enneagram for its tie to contemplative spirituality. 

The major drawback of Nine Lenses on the World is that it has no exercises. It tells you about "correcting lenses" that are healthy for you, but it offers no road to get there through exercises. I also don't think he totally gets the Type Two. (As I mentioned above, this is the reason why I like Riso/Hudson. I know Hudson gets them because I have heard him talk extensively about how Type Twos often feel very misunderstood by the majority of Enneagram gurus, and he gets why they feel that way. He is close to a lot of Type Twos, and I appreciate that he has years of experience to back that up.)  

This book is thorough at explaining things to the point of being too dry at times. I do love his references to characters in movies and literature who exemplify the nine types. That was fun. I have emailed with the author, and he seems like a lovely older gentleman. It was through him that I was connected to my current certification program. My trainer, Dale, is heavily influenced by this teacher and less influenced by Riso and Hudson, as he acknowledges in his cohort. I was glad to hear that one of my cohort members read The Wisdom of the Enneagram at a retreat once, and it changed her life. (She read it in 2 1/2 days - how on earth? It took me weeks to get through it.)

My next book will be by Bea Chestnut who everyone seems to really like. She is a Type Two (but a Self-Preservation Two, which is quite different from the other two instinctual variants because it is a counter type) which should be helpful since I am also a Type Two. It is good to hear from a variety of types who write these books though. 

The journey continues . . .  

3. The Wisdom of the Enneagram by Riso and Hudson

I put this book on my "shelf" on Goodreads on November 18, 2012! I have been exposed to the Enneagram since 2011, but I had to read the "gateway drug" books like The Road Back to You first to get into the heavier material. 

I am so glad I finally got around to reading this. I kept checking it out of the library with no hope of ever getting through its almost 400 pages. I finally ordered my own copy, and I am so glad I did. I underlined so much and wrote a lot of notes in the margin. I would say this is the most comprehensive book of any of the Enneagram books I have read so far. What finally pushed me over the edge to read it was taking a 10 Week class from Russ Hudson with a live Q & A at the end. I was so IMPRESSED by this warm and generous soul that I had to read the book. I also wanted to read it because I get daily EnneaThoughts in my email, and they are often quotes from this book.

It is so comprehensive. It is not Christian because they wrote it for all faiths, but Don Richard Riso was a Jesuit priest, and you see Ignatian Spirituality coming through everywhere in the book even though there are quotes from all the different faith traditions. That might turn a really conservative believer off, but now that I took this class from Russ, I felt great about reading it. I heartily recommend this book for someone who really wants to delve deeply into this subject. 

Self Preservation Instinct of the Enneagram

I am so happy to say that I got a SCHOLARSHIP to study under Russ Hudson of the Enneagram Institute. He is leading a class called Integrating Your Instincts through the Enneagram. During most classes there is a live Q and A with this expert. It has been so helpful. 

SO there are three instinctual variants within each number. SOCIAL, SEXUAL (meaning one on one preference and intimacy that way that can include sexual - I wish there were a better word), and SELF-PRESERVATION. Self-Preservation is my WEAKEST. Hudson would call it your blind spot. And it is definitely mine! So, he has some exercises in this variant. So I am going to write about how I have been doing over the last three weeks since I started taking the class (or has it been only two - I entered a week late). 

His assignment: Notice how much time you focus on the three zones of Self Preservation:  Self-Care and Wellbeing Practical skills and Maintenance Domesticity, Safety and Comfort 

SELF-CARE AND WELLBEING 

Well, I am glad you asked Mr. Hudson. Actually, my question was the first one he answered during this session. I have reflected on my life, and this was one that I was forced into due to a nervous breakdown at 23 years old and chronic back problems since junior high. As far as physical self-care, I have to do it or I will be an invalid. So, I have made a career out of it so I force myself to care for my spine. Before my breakdown, I had gone down to ZERO exercise. It was sick. I was "serving the Lord" to an unhealthy degree. I was taking no time for self-care. ZERO. So, cardio has been good since 23. I do it for my mental health. Sweat is so good for your emotional well-being. Just sayin'.

Spinal care was not so great until that major blow out of my back in 2009. In fact, I think it was TODAY nine years ago! I could look to see. I document everything. I know it was one of the "teen" days in December when I got up to go to the bathroom and screamed so loud that my kids ran up from the basement to find out what was all a clatter! I was in bed for five weeks! Yes, I had done Pilates a bit. I had done weight lifting, but I did not have a coordinated flexibility and strength plan. Enter consistent Pilates and then become a personal trainer three years ago (It might have been this very day too!). Learned so many things about self-myofascial release through rolling and then stretching. I have strengthened through Pilates and weight training. So, body self care is going GREAT.

Well-being. I think SOUL CARE has been what I have focused on lately. I do the Examen daily. SO HELPFUL to get in touch with my emotions: consolations and desolations. Making decision based on God's deepest desires for me. SO yes, well being is going much better. I have to stop and rest and not overdue it and say NO a ton to many requests DAILY for me to HELP. But I am doing so well.

PRACTICAL SKILLS  (WISDOM) 

He says this is  "maintaining things, making sure things work anything from a household to finances, to keeping a business going, to actually having practical skills to fix things, like I know what to do if the lawn mower or the car breaks, or how to change a tire or a light bulb. I have a certain degree of pride in my awareness of resources. I kind of know how much money I might have in the bank account. I make sure that I have the things I want to have for my home or my yard. My kitchen is stocked or my tool shed is stocked or my cleaning supplies are there and I'm aware of these things. There's a kind of instinct to maintain your world and the things that will keep it going."


Hubby and I had a LONG talk about this in the car to our Spiritual Exercises on Saturday. He is much better at this, but we still are stronger on the other two instincts! So, we made a LIST of all the things we wanted to do to get things fixed and cleaned up. Our porch light has been out for more than two years. It didn't phase me until I had someone come over from book club and tell me that. We have the lattice on our storage shed ripped for about 12 years. The plexiglass on our deck has been broken for about five. Windows have not been cleaned for about four years. So, we are doing the work that needs to be done. We are expending resources to have them done for us. George works out of town. It is OK to have someone else do it. Goodwill runs of junk sitting in the garage went yesterday. I love it! 

We will see how we do when it comes to our taxes this coming year. We really don't like those. 

DOMESTICITY 

He says, "People strong in self-pres like to be at home. They maintain their homes. They make their homes nice to be in. It doesn't mean necessarily someone else's idea of aesthetic or comfortable, but it's comfortable to me. I have in my home what I want, the resources I need. It works for me. It's set up as a base of operations for the rest of my life. It's where I enjoy being. It's where I recharge. It's where I restore energy, like those lions. Having a home, maintaining a home, sharing a home, as I was saying relationally, that would be an important thing if I was self-pres."

I love HOME, but I am not here as much as I would like to be. So, I quit one of my jobs! I will be here more often to nest a bit more. My home is comfortable and inviting, and people usually comment on this. I am just taking more time to create sanctuary space. So, all last week, I got my "Sanctuary space" ready for spiritual direction sessions. About a month ago, we moved the treadmill down to the HUGE basement. I didn't have it down there because the kids were always down there, but now, they are both out of the house. So, it is down there ready to do my PHOTO albums once again (another thing of self-pres I have neglected for 2 1/2 years and must get back to). So, we bought wing back chairs and I put a new end table and lamp and candle and it is so cozy now. All I have left is redoing the wall that the chairs face to make it warm and comfortable with art and/or photographs. Yes, I am doing it for spiritual direction, but I am in here right now and loving this space for me too. :) YAY! 

I also have cooked more and cleaned my fridge and just taken care of the house more lately. Been decluttering spaces too. It has felt so good to be domestic. My home is my refuge, but I am not taking advantage of it by working outside more than I need to. I can workout at home instead of teach a class to work out. :) 

I better go. We are decorating Gingerbread Houses with the Kinkades in a few minutes! 

54. The Path Between Us by Suzanne Stabile

Yes, another Enneagram book! I had this one on hold for months, and I finally got it. I had read a few Enneagram books in between when I reserved it and when it became available, and I almost didn't read it, but I like this one because it emphasizes how each type interplays in relationships. The summaries for each type and how each type interacts with all the other types are particularly helpful. This is an excellent follow up to The Road Back to You. This author is the coauthor of that book. Stabile does a great job at making the Enneagram very simple to understand. I also like that Stabile is Type Two. It was insightful to read the description of Type Two by a Type Two, and it is an added benefit that her husband is a Type Nine because my husband is also a Type Nine. 

I do recommend this book to augment your understanding. I also really like the Enneagram Institute websites where they describe the Enneagram Type Combinations. That can be found HERE. 

Type Twos go to Type Four in Integration

So I am looking at the healthy loop of the Type Four today. This is probably why I like personality tests so much because they help me to be more self-aware. :) 

Here is the healthy loop of a Type Four:

Healthy loop controlled by Basic Desire:

Need for self-understanding -> examine self -> understand themselves -> Need for self-understanding

In the healthy state, the need for self-understanding induces Type Fours to allow their emotions to surface and examine these emotions in order to understand themselves. (This is probably why I love the Examen so much!) When Fours achieve self-understanding, their need is satisfied and a balance is reached.

52. The Enneagram and Prayer by Metz and Burchill

Stephen Coffey, OSB Cam, an ordained monk of the Camaldolese community of California led the "Appreciating the Wisdom of the Enneagram" Conference at the Queen of Angels Monastery in November, and this was recommended to us. At first perusal, I didn't really like it, but it has great depth and gave me insight into helpful prayer practices for people. I really ended up loving it!

Nurturing From a King

Type Two EnneaThought® for November 14th
When Twos learn to nurture themselves and look after their own needs, they achieve a balance in which loving and satisfying relationships are not only possible—they will happen as surely as the sun rises. Presence alone will allow your nurturing of others to transform into genuine self-nurturing. (The Wisdom of the Enneagram, 149)

This has been such a lovely season for me of achieving balance. I am loving my time in the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola. I prefer not to call it "self-nurturing" but "nurturing from God." God is speaking to me! I also love the balance of exercise (which is also my work) and sitting for ministry and writing (my other work).  It is a good season. 

This week, I am at the "Call of the King" in the Exercises, and the free conversation "My Liege" and I are having are so precious. I am growing. I am learning. I like that this never stops with the LORD! I am excited to hear what He has in store for me. I trust Him because He is a good and benevolent King! 

Holy Will

Type Two EnneaThought® for October 27th

The Holy Idea for Type Two is Holy Will, which means you can relax your efforts because everything really is "in God's hands." See if you can connect with this truth today. (Understanding the Enneagram, 42) 

So I had to understand what the "Holy Idea" thing was. It is a another concept I hope to understand better when I go to the Enneagram Seminar next week. Here is what this website says: 

"The Holy Ideas of the Enneagram are in service to the alleviation of suffering and the recovery of our true nature through remembering our Essence qualities.  The Holy Ideas remind us of who we truly are beyond our attachments and identification with the construct of the egoic mind.  As we observe our attachments and defense of the ego we become aware of the ways that we suffer.  We can choose to end our suffering.  Suffering is truly optional.  Pain is endemic to the human condition and must be faced squarely and experienced.  Suffering results from clinging to the dualistic, fixated patterns of believing that things are right/wrong (Type 1), that we are loved/unloved (Type 2), successful/unsuccessful (Type 3), abandoned/connected (Type 4), depleted/abundant (Type 5), unsafe/safe (Type 6), limited/free (Type 7), controlled/in control (Type 8) and important/unimportant (Type 9)." 

Here is what it says regarding this Holy Idea for Type 2:



"The experience of surrender is at the heart of Holy Will.  We surrender the illusion that our personal efforts are required to make good things happen.  As we loosen the belief that we are indispensable to making good things happen for others, and that we must manipulate to create good things for ourselves through the force of our personality, we become more humble.  Humility places us in proper perspective [to God] (the Enneagram Institute says to the Universe). Personal will attaches to outcome and we suffer through this attachment.  Through recognizing Holy Will and living in humility there is an awareness that things will always be taken care of."

Learning this concept is perfectly timed after ten days of "praying toward the peace" with a situation I learned about on Wednesday, October17 . I have arrived at a place of true surrender. God told me, up front, that a person's problems were not my issue and to let it go, but I had to pray through my feelings and continue to listen. So I have let it go (and feel nothing but compassion and love for that person's problems). This is my surrender. My personal efforts are not required to make the situation any better for that person. Humility is the realization that He is God and I am not. Selah!