The Enneagram: Defence Mechanisms
What are Enneatypical Defence Mechanisms?
The 'preference' for a specific enneatype (or rather: a specific kind of enneatypical behaviour) is based on (subconscious) avoidance strategies rather than on a 'positive' choice of personality type.
For example: a baby is hungry (sensation: realization of 'lack' or 'shortage'). If this basic need is not met immediately, the baby will experience pain and (instinctive) fear of death. (A baby has no concept of time, everything happens in the now). As a result of an automated process of our psyche, the child will associate the pain / fear of death with one of the 9 basic beliefs. This defence strategy is a necessary protection mechanism. Subsequently, the system will keep this belief active through a self-sustaining cycle:
Realization of 'shortage' - Pain / Fear of death - Passion - Defence mechanism - Avoidance / Allergy - Fixation - Realization of 'shortage' ...
Each Enneatype (Personality type) has his/her own set of Defence strategies:
For example: a baby is hungry (sensation: realization of 'lack' or 'shortage'). If this basic need is not met immediately, the baby will experience pain and (instinctive) fear of death. (A baby has no concept of time, everything happens in the now). As a result of an automated process of our psyche, the child will associate the pain / fear of death with one of the 9 basic beliefs. This defence strategy is a necessary protection mechanism. Subsequently, the system will keep this belief active through a self-sustaining cycle:
Realization of 'shortage' - Pain / Fear of death - Passion - Defence mechanism - Avoidance / Allergy - Fixation - Realization of 'shortage' ...
Each Enneatype (Personality type) has his/her own set of Defence strategies:
'Neutralization' of Defence Mechanisms
If we are no longer served by our behaviour or if our behaviour creates (constant) conflicts with other people in our lives, understanding of our own defence mechanisms and 'neutralizing' their automated use, usually gives a sense of relief. We also experience more choice and freedom in the way we behave.
Enneatype 2, for example, finds the space to give more attention to her own needs, rather than always placing the needs of others above her own. Persons using enneatype 9 will get more in contact with what they really want and also dare to act on it. For type 5, it can be an impulse to get out of (mental) isolation and re-establish contact with his own feelings. 'Fours' learn that they are loved, just the way they are, and do not need to assert their uniqueness all the time. Type 6 learns to trust that everything will be OK, and that they too can relax into life. The 8 understands that it is not always necessary to be in charge or control things - that there is also space for vulnerability (although most 'eights will deny this at first). 'Threes' learn that not everything in life is about being successful, failure is a part of life as well. The 7 learns that it is impossible to indefinitely hide from inner pain behind a facade of 'doing lots of new fun things'. Enneatype 1 understands that he or she is not personally responsible for everything that is not perfect in this world - it is perfect the way it is.
A nice side-effect of working on yourself is that when we change ourselves, other people's responses to us change as well. So, if you are having problems with the way others behave or treat you, it is handy to remember that the best way to change others is to change ourselves!
Enneatype 2, for example, finds the space to give more attention to her own needs, rather than always placing the needs of others above her own. Persons using enneatype 9 will get more in contact with what they really want and also dare to act on it. For type 5, it can be an impulse to get out of (mental) isolation and re-establish contact with his own feelings. 'Fours' learn that they are loved, just the way they are, and do not need to assert their uniqueness all the time. Type 6 learns to trust that everything will be OK, and that they too can relax into life. The 8 understands that it is not always necessary to be in charge or control things - that there is also space for vulnerability (although most 'eights will deny this at first). 'Threes' learn that not everything in life is about being successful, failure is a part of life as well. The 7 learns that it is impossible to indefinitely hide from inner pain behind a facade of 'doing lots of new fun things'. Enneatype 1 understands that he or she is not personally responsible for everything that is not perfect in this world - it is perfect the way it is.
A nice side-effect of working on yourself is that when we change ourselves, other people's responses to us change as well. So, if you are having problems with the way others behave or treat you, it is handy to remember that the best way to change others is to change ourselves!
Find out more about the Cosmic laws at the heart of the enneagram and the Process model here.
Go here to read more about the Psychological model and Enneatypes.
Go here to read more about the Psychological model and Enneatypes.
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Read more about My way of working here. Find out more about Life Coaching here. Go here to read about Massage.
Read here what others are saying about Massage: Relax into in your Body.
