After several weeks of travel and holiday celebrations, I’m back with the final installment of the series, “What if?”
The basic premise of the series is this: Transformation is not becoming someone different than who we are.
Transformation is discovering and remembering who we truly are.
The problematic patterns of our lives—our dysfunctions and self-defeating habits—are a distortion of who we are created to be. They are not our true self.
Transformation is getting into contact with our essence. Personal growth consists of making space for and releasing ourselves to be authentic expressions of our true self.
The Enneagram provides us insight into both sides of the scale. It uncovers our essence, our true self. The Enneagram also illuminates our false self, the habitual patterns of beliefs, emotions and behavior we adopt when we forget who we really.
These patterns become our Enneagram Type—the personality structure we create in order to compensate the loss of essence and survive in our world. Our Type, in fact, is actually a false self. The work of the Enneagram is to reclaim express our true self in how we think, feel and behave.
We continue our exploration of meditation/contemplation questions to guide us in our pursuit of transformation. Our final installment looks at Types 7, 8 and 9.
Type 7: Sevens believe that to be secure, loved and valued that they must experience all the pleasures and adventures that life offers. Sevens stive to keep all options for future fulfillment open. They believe what the need is “out there” and they must seek every option, never knowing which experience or object might quench the thirst of their soul. Sevens fear and avoid anything that might limit their options, keep them stuck in pain or what might become mundane. They stay positive and idealistic. This core belief drives Sevens to acquire and consume. They struggle slowing down enough to enjoy and appreciate the moment and to actually taste what they consume.
Sevens find it useful to meditate and contemplate on the following questions: What if what I need is already present within me? What if wholeness, joy, fulfillment, adequacy and meaningfulness reside in me and comes from the inside out, instead of the outside in? What if I could let go of the constant pursuit of something new and be satisfied with what I currently have and with who I am? What if facing my pain and discomfort leads me to the freedom, meaning and joy that I long for?
Type 8: Eights believe that to be secure, loved and valued they must be strong, invincible and resolute. Eights view the world divided in two categories of people: strong and weak. In their world, the strong dominate the weak, and Eights are determined not to allow that to happen to them. Eights avoid vulnerability and any sign of weakness. Eights strive to be strong, to maintain control and to take charge of situation and others. This leads them to be guarded and defended. Eights resist being receptive to others’ input, influence and love. Eights are angry at this unjust use of power and also use anger as a means to defend against vulnerability.
Eights find it useful to meditate and contemplate on the following questions: What if my vulnerability is actually a strength? What if I am strong enough to let down my guard and know I can still hold my own —that others won’t dominate me? What if I can let down my guard and let go of my anger? What might I be missing out on in my determination to defend and protect myself? What might I discover if I became more receptive to others’ views? To their love for me? What if I discovered that not everyone is out to get me? What if I could trust more?
Type 9: Nines believe that to be secure, loved and valued they must merge with others’ views and agendas. Nines go along to get along. Nines fear and avoid conflict. They strive to keep peace at all costs, deferring to others rather than speaking up. Nines forego their opinions and downplay their sense of self because they believe they are not as important as others are. Nines fear if they are present and accounted for, they will cause discomfort for others, and therefore will disrupt their own sense of harmony. Nines find it easier to merge with others’ agenda rather than identifying and pursuing their own priorities.
Nines find it useful to meditate and contemplate on the following questions: What if I am as valuable and important as others? What if I actually do belong and am wanted? What if my position, opinion and presence are needed by others? What if harmony demands that all positions are represented, including my own? When I keep quiet and downplay my importance, how do I become more of an atmosphere than a person? How will those I love, and who love me, relate to me if I fail to show up, to be present and accounted for?
