Finding the Enneagram Type: Part 4
by Peter O’Hanrahan
Neurobiology
As a counselor and body therapist I used the Enneagram for many years in my practice and learned a lot about the nine type structures. I came to realize that not only are the types defined by patterns of mind and emotion, there is also a physical or somatic foundation with specific patterns of neurobiology. I could see, hear and feel with my hands the differences among the types. I think knowing these patterns is essential for understanding the type structures. Most of us receive information from how people express through their body language, body stance, breathing, and energetic state. This doesn’t necessarily mean that reading another person’s body will tell us their Enneagram type. But we can be alert to what we notice and take this into consideration of the whole person.
I’m proposing that there are nine somatic profiles, or patterns of body, breath and emotion, that we can observe and learn about. These body patterns are related to early temperament. If you are a parent you probably know that children do not arrive in this world “tabula rasa” or with a clean slate. Their Enneagram type, or predisposition for a type, is closely related to these early temperaments. Of course as parents we need to love and support our children as best as we able. At the same time it can be a relief to know that we did not make them into their type.
Understanding these temperaments can be very helpful to keep in mind. They are big categories and within them there are variations. There are slow Nines and fast Nines; there are feelingful Threes and Threes don’t seem to have feelings (they do, on the inside). There are muscular Sevens who thrive on physical sensation and adventure, and there are more cerebral Sevens who are happier with books. Yet there are still body patterns that are familiar for each type and these are the foundation of the personality.
A major example: How can we understand Sixes without understanding their neurobiology? Different variations of Six exhibit seemingly opposite behaviors. There are cautious Sixes who hang back, who have lots of doubt, who need to gather information before taking action. And there are assertive Sixes who we call “counter-phobic” meaning they act against their own fear and charge ahead into situations, even very risky ones. People who are new to the Enneagram are confused. “How can you put people with such opposite behaviors into the same type?”
Well, there is a basic theme. Sixes have the most sensitive alarm system of all the types. They are born with it. When their alarm system gets triggered they will react with fight, flight or freeze responses. Different external behaviors, same internal system. And if they avoid their fear altogether they may leave their body and go up into their heads. “Fear, what’s that? I’m just figuring out what needs to be done and how to be a responsible person.” (This probably qualifies as a kind of freeze response).
It’s useful to know that CP Sixes can look almost exactly like Eights in their behavior. There are subtle differences. But if we can find the lead center and how the mind works we can differentiate. (Head center for Sixes, body center for Eights).
It’s not easy to bring the alarm system back to neutral in an urban society where there is so much going on all the time. Sixes pay a price for their constant alertness and scanning. Fortunately it’s possible to work with the body for health and healing. (Thank you, Sixes, for all that you do to guard the safety of the family, the tribe, the organization. We wouldn’t be her without you!)
Personality and Essence
Finally, when we are working with the Enneagram it’s important to keep in mind, and often say out loud, that we are more than our personality type. In this world we need a personality to function, and the Enneagram says there are nine ways for personality to take shape. But underneath personality, or persona, is a deeper self which cannot be categorized. Each person has a core, essential self and for many people working with our Enneagram type is a way not to improve our personality and functioning in the world but to rediscover and connect to our personal essence. Some would say it’s a way to open the door to Divine Essence. Perhaps we can do both.
Resources
- Typing interviews: We are abundant with experienced Enneagram teachers or practitioners who provide typing interviews. I can recommend my wife, Pat O’Hanrahan, at www.EnneagramTypingInterviews.com. She has been working with the Enneagram for more than 40 years and is a Narrative certified teacher. More Narrative teachers and practitioners who have received extensive training for typing interviews can be found at: https://www.narrativeEnneagram.org/find-a-teacher-or-practitioner/
- Book on Typing: “The Art of Typing” by Ginger Lapid-Bogda is very practical book which I (and others) consider the best written resource on Enneagram typing. She speaks clearly about the value of the interview process and includes major themes, behaviors, differentiating questions, wings and arrows, subtypes and more. I highly recommend it. Available from: www.TheEnneagramInBusiness.com.
- Book for Practitioners: “Coaching and Counselling to the Point” by Jeanette van Stijn is a huge resource and will become the definitive reference book for coaches and counselors who are using, or want to use, the Enneagram in their practice. The author has given us specific and practical directions for understanding and helping clients of each Enneagram type. As an Enneagram practitioner for 45 years I am happy to have this to great resource! Available at Amazon Books.
- Additional Enneagram Articles: I have a number of articles on my website that may be of interest such as “The Nine Defense Systems,” “The Embodied Enneagram,” “Instinctual Subtypes” etc. There is also a form for an email list if you would like occasional announcements of my Enneagram workshops, study groups and new articles. https://theEnneagramatwork.com/articles/
- Enneagram Training: The Narrative Enneagram was founded in 1988 by Helen Palmer, a leading Enneagram teacher and author, and David Daniels M.D., a therapist and a professor of psychiatry at the Stanford Medical School. The Narrative work highlights an approach that focuses on interviews and conversations with people to learn about the nine types. Formats include type panels, typing interviews, experiential practices. Training and certification is also offered for Enneagram teachers and Enneagram practitioners. www.NarrativeEnneagram.org
- Journal of Adult Development – Article: This peer reviewed professional journal research article: Advancing Ego Development in Adulthood through Study of the Enneagram System of Personality, was co-authored by David Daniels, MD, Terry Saracino, MA, MBA, Meghan Fraley, PhD, Jennifer Christian, PsyD and Seth Pardo, PhD. The bottom line from the study’s abstract: “The findings suggest that Enneagram Intensive trainings may be beneficial for promoting psychological growth and ego development.”
