# How The System Works — The Enneagram Institute **Covers**:: [[mental health]], [[personality]], [[pyschology]], **Source**:: [How The System Works — The Enneagram Institute](https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works) **Creator**:: [[enneagraminstitute.com]] # Highlights ##### ^212168948 highlight_tags:: [[early childhood]], [[neuroscience]] Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=0%2F2%2F0%2F4%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A0%2C2%2F2%2F0%2F4%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A140#:~:text=Everyone%20emerges%20from%20childhood%20with%2Cmain%20determinants%20of%20our%20type ###### ^212168948q Everyone emerges from childhood with *one* of the nine types dominating their personality, with inborn temperament and other pre-natal factors being the main determinants of our type ^212168948 ##### ^212169663 highlight_tags:: [[early childhood]] Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=0%2F3%2F0%2F4%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A10%2C0%2F3%2F0%2F4%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A148#:~:text=overall%20orientation%20of%20our%20personality%2Cgenetics)%20that%20influenced%20its%20development ###### ^212169663q overall orientation of our personality reflects the totality of all childhood factors (including genetics) that influenced its development ^212169663 ##### ^212169716 highlight_tags:: [[there aren't any downsides to working through trauma]], [[human experience]] Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=0%2F0%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F4%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A0%2C0%2F0%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F4%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A64#:~:text=People%20do%20not%20change%20from%2Cbasic%20personality%20type%20to%20another. However you develop over time, you will still be able to look back and see your basic type at your roots ###### ^212169716q People do not change from one basic personality type to another. ^212169716 ##### ^212153068 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=0%2F4%2F0%2F14%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A103%2C0%2F4%2F0%2F14%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A282#:~:text=most%20people%20have%20a%20dominant%2Cwing%20is%20far%20more%20important. ###### ^212153068q most people have a dominant wing. In the vast majority of people, while the so-called second wing always remains operative to some degree, the dominant wing is far more important. ^212153068 ##### ^212153102 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=0%2F5%2F0%2F14%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A123%2C0%2F5%2F0%2F14%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A622#:~:text=many%20people%20in%20the%20latter%2Cof%20the%20second%20wing%20type ###### ^212153102q many people in the latter half of their lives have reported the development of their so-called “second wing.” And in individuals who have been pursuing psychological and/or spiritual work, we have seen evidence that this is true. We do not know, however, whether these students were merely seeing all of the positive potentials of the nine types unfolding in them as they matured—their second wing being one of the other seven types—or whether this was a specific development of the second wing type ^212153102 ##### ^212153214 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=0%2F1%2F0%2F16%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A593%2C0%2F1%2F0%2F16%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A608 ###### ^212153214q ego psychology ^212153214 ##### ^212153219 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=0%2F2%2F0%2F16%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A634%2C0%2F2%2F0%2F16%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A849#:~:text=without%20the%20Levels%2C%20the%20Enneagram%2Cthe%20complexity%20of%20human%20nature ###### ^212153219q without the Levels, the Enneagram is reduced to a “horizontal” set of nine discrete categories. By including the Levels, however, a “vertical” dimension is added that not only reflects the complexity of human nature ^212153219 ##### ^212153222 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=0%2F3%2F0%2F16%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A7%2C0%2F3%2F0%2F16%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A363#:~:text=%2C%20with%20the%20Levels%2C%20a%2Cemotionally%20volatile%20and%20less%20free ###### ^212153222q , with the Levels, a dynamic element is introduced that reflects the changing nature of the personality patterns themselves. You have probably noticed that people change constantly—sometimes they are clearer, more free, grounded, and emotionally available, while at other times they are more anxious, resistant, reactive, emotionally volatile and less free ^212153222 ##### ^212153238 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=0%2F4%2F0%2F16%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A172%2C0%2F4%2F0%2F16%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A268#:~:text=one%20must%20assess%20whether%20a%2Cor%20unhealthy%20range%20of%20functioning ###### ^212153238q one must assess whether a person is in their healthy, average, or unhealthy range of functioning ^212153238 ##### ^212153736 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=0%2F0%2F0%2F0%2F18%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A1%2C0%2F0%2F0%2F0%2F18%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A43#:~:text=The%20Continuum%20of%20the%20Levels%20of%20Development The levels of development are within your primary type. Once you have surpassed level 1 you delve into other types ###### ^212153736q The Continuum of the Levels of Development ^212153736 ##### ^212153301 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=0%2F0%2F0%2F20%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A314%2C0%2F0%2F0%2F20%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A551#:~:text=this%20Level%2C%20the%20person%20has%2Cto%20keep%20their%20identity%20intact ego can consume ###### ^212153301q this Level, the person has also fully identified with the ego and does not see himself as anything more than that: the ego must therefore be increasingly defended and inflated for the person to feel safe and to keep their identity intact ^212153301 ##### ^212153583 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=2%2F1%2F0%2F20%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A2%2C2%2F1%2F0%2F20%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A277#:~:text=The%20more%20we%20move%20down%2Cfreedom%20and%20less%20real%20consciousness. ###### ^212153583q The more we move down the Levels, the more identified we are with our ego and its increasingly negative and restrictive patterns. Our personality becomes more defensive, reactive, and automatic— and we consequently have less and less real freedom and less real consciousness. ^212153583 ##### ^212153603 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=2%2F2%2F0%2F20%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A86%2C2%2F2%2F0%2F20%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A360#:~:text=As%20we%20become%20more%20present%2C%2Cto%20our%20automatic%20personality%20patterns. ###### ^212153603q As we become more present, we become less fixated in the defensive structures of our personality and are more attuned and open to ourselves and our environment. We see our personality objectively in action rather than “falling asleep” to our automatic personality patterns. ^212153603 ##### ^212153614 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=0%2F3%2F0%2F20%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A0%2C0%2F3%2F0%2F20%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A135#:~:text=As%20we%20become%20more%20present%2C%2Ca%20continuous%20guide%20to%20self-observation%2C ###### ^212153614q As we become more present, we see our personality traits more objectively and the Levels become a continuous guide to self-observation, ^212153614 ##### ^212153773 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=0%2F0%2F0%2F0%2F28%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A0%2C4%2F1%2F0%2F28%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A7#:~:text=The%20Direction%20of%20Integration%20(Growth)1-7-5-8-2-4-19-3-6-9The%20Direction%20of%20Disintegration%20(Stress)1-4-2-8-5-7-19-6-3-9 ###### ^212153773q **The Direction of Integration (Growth)** 1-7-5-8-2-4-1 9-3-6-9 **The Direction of Disintegration (Stress)** 1-4-2-8-5-7-1 9-6-3-9 ^212153773 ##### ^212153907 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=0%2F3%2F0%2F28%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A0%2C2%2F3%2F0%2F28%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A0#:~:text=Ultimately%2C%20the%20goal%20is%20for%2Cpotentials%20of%20all%20the%20types ###### ^212153907q Ultimately, the goal is for each of us to “move around” the Enneagram, integrating what each type symbolizes and acquiring the healthy potentials of *all the types* ^212153907 ##### ^212154304 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=2%2F3%2F0%2F28%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A249%2C2%2F3%2F0%2F28%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A437#:~:text=he%20personality%20type%20we%20begin%2Cfor%20our%20self-development%20and%20self-realization. ###### ^212154304q the personality type we begin life with is therefore less important ultimately than how well (or badly) we use our type as the beginning point for our self-development and self-realization. ^212154304 ##### ^212155390 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=0%2F1%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A374%2C6%2F1%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A65#:~:text=We%20each%20have%20a%20self-preservation%C2%A0instinct%2Cand%20forming%20secure%20social%20bonds). ###### ^212155390q We each have a *self-preservation* instinct (for preserving the body and its life and functioning), a *sexual instinct* (for extending ourselves in the environment and through the generations), and a *social instinct* (for getting along with others and forming secure social bonds). ^212155390 ##### ^212156686 highlight_tags:: [[enneagram]] Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=2%2F3%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A209%2C6%2F3%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A28#:~:text=We%20call%20this%20instinct%20our%2Cmost%20interferes%C2%A0with%20our%20dominant%20instinct. ###### ^212156686q We call this instinct our *dominant* instinct. This tends to be our first priority—the area of life we attend to first. But when we are more caught up in the defenses of our personality—further down the Levels of Development— our personality most *interferes* with our dominant instinct. ^212156686 ##### ^212156691 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=2%2F8%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A395%2C2%2F8%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A537#:~:text=Moreover%2C%20those%20primarily%20focused%20on%2Cresources%20for%20others%20as%20well ###### ^212156691q Moreover, those primarily focused on self-preservation, by extension, are usually interested in maintaining these resources for others as well ^212156691 ##### ^212156721 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=2%2F8%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A910%2C2%2F8%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A1230#:~:text=They%20might%20have%20active%20social%2Cwith%20a%20stable%2C%20reliable%20partner ###### ^212156721q They might have active social lives and a satisfying intimate relationship, but if they feel that their self-preservation needs are not being met, still tend not to be happy or at ease. In their primary relationships, these people are “nesters”—they seek domestic tranquility and security with a stable, reliable partner ^212156721 ##### ^212156727 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=0%2F10%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A664%2C0%2F10%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A912#:~:text=There%20are%20many%20people%20that%2Cand%20less%20so%20in%20others. ###### ^212156727q There are many people that we are excited to be around for reasons of personal chemistry that we have no intention of “getting involved with.” Nonetheless, we might be aware that we feel stimulated in certain people’s company and less so in others. ^212156727 ##### ^212156740 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=0%2F10%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A1411%2C0%2F10%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A1511#:~:text=can%20become%20disenchanted%20with%20partners%2Cneed%20for%20intense%20energetic%20union ###### ^212156740q can become disenchanted with partners who are unable to meet their need for intense energetic union ^212156740 ##### ^212156782 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=2%2F12%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A221%2C4%2F12%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A213#:~:text=Moreover%2C%20Sexual%20types%20seek%20intimacy%2C%2Ccommunity%2C%20or%20even%20broader%20domains. ###### ^212156782q Moreover, Sexual types seek intimacy, Social types seek *personal connection*: they want to stay in long-term contact with people and to be involved in their world. Social types are the most concerned with doing things that will have some impact on their community, or even broader domains. ^212156782 ##### ^212156783 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=4%2F12%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A343%2C4%2F12%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A612#:~:text=hey%20seek%20partners%20with%20whom%2Cseeing%20both%20as%20potentially%20limiting ###### ^212156783q hey seek partners with whom they can share social activities, wanting their intimates to get involved in projects and events with them. Paradoxically, they actually tend to avoid long periods of exclusive intimacy and quiet solitude, seeing both as potentially limiting ^212156783 ##### ^212156797 Goto: https://enneagraminstitute.com/how-the-enneagram-system-works?__readwiseLocation=4%2F12%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A614%2C4%2F12%2F0%2F30%2F1%2F0%2F0%2F3%2F0%2F5%2F0%2F2%3A763#:~:text=Social%20types%20lose%20their%20sense%2Cthat%20transcend%20their%20individual%20interests. ###### ^212156797q Social types lose their sense of identity and meaning when they are not involved with others in activities that transcend their individual interests. ^212156797