The Enneagram maps human personality across 9 distinct profiles. To understand your profile, you first need to identify the primary "filter" through which you perceive the world.
Before diving into the 9 specific types, the first step in the Enneagram is to understand the concept of the "Center of Intelligence." Based on our experiences and childhood, we all overdeveloped one of these three centers to interact with the world and ensure our safety:
(Types 8, 9, 1)
It filters reality through action, the body, and movement. Individuals in this center primarily deal with issues of survival and autonomy. The underlying core emotion is Anger (expressed, asleep, or repressed).
(Types 2, 3, 4)
It filters reality through feelings, relationships, and the heart. Individuals in this center deal with issues of self-image and belonging. The underlying core emotion is Sadness (and shame).
(Types 5, 6, 7)
It filters reality through reflection, analysis, and the head. Individuals in this center deal with issues of security, the future, and beliefs. The underlying core emotion is Fear.
A map of psychological interconnections
As you can see on the symbol to the left, the 9 types are arranged equidistant from each other around the circle. This means that no profile is superior or inferior to another: they all represent a valid and unique expression of the human condition.
The role of the arrows: Notice the complex lines inside the circle. They connect each type to two other profiles. These are paths of development and integration. They are what introduce dynamics into the Enneagram model.
This is what makes the Enneagram typology so alive. Click on the different profiles below to discover their arrows of stress and growth.
Every individual has a core (a dominant profile) that does not change over the course of their life, although they may shift toward other profiles under the effects of stress or serenity. Select a number below to explore its full dossier.
The great difficulty of the Enneagram is avoiding mistyping during a superficial self-assessment. Our ego's defense mechanisms tend to distort our own answers.
For reliable results, use our Ennea Gramma software. Its cross-questioning algorithm accurately identifies your dominant base and calculates your Fundamental Square.
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