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The Enneagram is a nine-pointed diametric figure which can be used to indicate - amongst other applications - a dynamic model of nine observably distinct yet interconnected psychological types. This 'typology' model is often called the Enneagram of Personality though it is usually just called the Enneagram (often creating confusion with other applications of the Enneagram figure).
Contemporary ways of understanding and describing the Enneagram have developed from various traditions of spiritual wisdom and modern psychological insight.
It is argued by some theorists that the Enneagram ought to be understood as presenting a model of psychological 'character archetypes' rather than a 'personality' typology. Whilst there is some validity to this argument the distinction is not supported by traditional understandings of human personality formation.
The Diametric Figure & Origins
The diametric figure - an 'enneagram' or 'enneagon' (from the Greek word "ennea" meaning "nine") - is composed of a circle enclosing an equilateral triangle and an irregular hexagon that connect nine points around the circle's circumference.
Although it is sometimes claimed that that the Enneagram can be found in ancient sources, especially within the Sufi spiritual tradition, its first definitely established form as a personality typology is found in the teachings of Bolivian-born Oscar Ichazo (b. 1931) and his system of 'Protoanalysis'. Ichazo first taught his understanding of the Enneagram (or the 'Enneagon' as he originally called it) to students in Arica, Chile in the 1960s and later in the United States through his Arica Institute.
Much mainstream Enneagram teaching has been largely derived - directly or indirectly - from the teachings of the Chilean-born psychiatrist Claudio Naranjo who first learned the basics of the Enneagram from Ichazo in Arica. It was principally from Naranjo that the Enneagram became established in the United States and these teachings were then further developed and applied by others - including, significantly, a number of Jesuit priests and seminarians.
The Enneagram figure's first established use is found in the teachings of the Greek-Armenian teacher G. I. Gurdjieff (d. 1949). It is speculated by some that the Enneagram figure is possibly a variant of the Chaldean Seal from the times of Pythagoras.
The nine Enneagram types are often given names that indicate some distinctive behavoural aspect of the particular type. Some examples are:
- 1 – Critics
- 2 – Helpers
- 3 – Achievers
- 4 – Romantics
- 5 – Observers
- 6 – Loyalists
- 7 – Enthusiasts
- 8 – Protectors
- 9 – Mediators
There are some significant differences among Enneagram teachers and theorists both in their interpretation and approach. Some theorists have developed and strongly promoted ideas about it that are not generally accepted by others.
To some extent the personality characteristics of of the nine Enneagram types can be understood as 'overlapping' around the circle. Observation suggests, for example, that type One people will also have some significant characteristics of either or both types Nine and Two. The two types on each sides of a person's principal type are usually called the 'Wings' (although this concept does not exist in Ichazo's Protoanalysis).
The internal lines of the triangle and hexagon indicate what are usually called the 'Stress Points' and 'Security Points'.
Each type also has three main instinctual subtypes - the Sexual, Social and Self-Preservation subtypes.
The 'Ego-Fixations' of the Enneagram types also correlate with the traditional Seven Deadly Sins with two additional ones - 'deceit' and 'fear' - at Points Three and Six respectively.
Therefore these nine deadly sins correspond to the personality ego-fixations as follows:
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