”Only that day dawns
to which we are awake.”
Henry David Thoreau
ENNEAGRAM SELF MASTERY
HOW IT WORKS
What is personality?
‘Personality describes who we are’ is the common belief, especially in the Western world, ‘it makes up the essential part of our identity’. Yet, according to the ancient knowledge of the Enneagram, human beings are much more than just their personality. Our ‘true self’ is the entire potential we were born with and which is, in truth, our home. This is where we are free and feel connected to everything. However, in order to exist in a world perceived as dangerous with many other people, we develop defence mechanisms and strategies to think ourselves safe and believe our needs are met. These defence mechanisms are behavioral, mental and emotional patterns, which solidify over the years. We speak of personality development, although personality 'formation' would be the more appropriate term. A natural process of our ego is to identify with our personality and in doing so we do not realise how much we restrict our true self and how we imprison ourselves with these patterns. The more we attract situations into our lives that confirm these patterns without reflecting on them and gaining awareness, the further we move away from the source of life within us and therefore, we perceive reality in an increasingly distorted form.
The symbol of the Enneagram is a geometric star with 9 points that represents a psychological typology system that illuminates the 9 different motivational patterns of human beings. It consists of 3 geometric signs (circle, triangle, hexagram) and is divided into 3 centres of intelligence (gut, heart, head). The 9 personality structures, which are assigned to the respective points, are based on universal laws, which, regardless of nationality, gender, religion and culture, put humanity in the foreground.
The Enneagram can be seen as a guide out of the maze of the human psyche. In an astonishingly clear and logical way, it fans out the entire personality structures with all their facets and nuances. This all-encompassing knowledge originated in antiquity and has been calculated, observed and empirically studied ever since. It shakes us up and prompts us to take off the coloured lens through which we view the world, and instead look at ourselves from a healthy distance. However, it does not leave us exposed and helpless with our newly gained self-knowledge like other typology teachings, which offer little more than personality analysis. Instead, it shows us the way beyond our limitations towards inner freedom, mental strength, quiet trust, infinite abundance and unconditional love. A true understanding of ourselves and others with various different perceptions and perspectives on life teaches us acceptance, humility, gratitude and appreciation and transforms our relationship with ourselves, our family members, partners, friends and work colleagues.
What is the Enneagram and what does it do?
What role
doeS moti-
vation play?
It is not what we do, think and feel that is pathbreaking for our self-knowledge, but why we do, think and feel all this. Only when we know our true motivation can we recognise and change patterns. In self-observation and reflection, the why is always the decisive question. Understanding the motivation leads to truth.
LAYERS
"I am unique. I won't let myself be put into
one of 9 categories!"
At first glance, it is easy to get the impression that the Enneagram puts you in a box. But this is actually not the case. It shows us much more how limited our perspective on the world is by presenting us with the different perspectives on a silver platter. With the help of the Enneagram, we can give our uniqueness room to unfold and exist in authenticity.
Furthermore, the Enneagram only shows us our personality structure, not who we are! We discover who we truly are in the process of letting go of identifying our personality.
No human being is identical to another. Every soul is unique and every life is a miracle.
It is common to find aspects of all 9 types in oneself, but with closer introspection and reflection, one will find oneself in one personality type in particular and notice how the underlying motivation runs like a common thread through one's life. This is our primary type. In addition, each type is coloured by aspects of the personalities that are positioned on the circle to the left and right of it (they are called "wings"), and by aspects of the personalities that are connected to others via the lines within the circle (growth cycles).
As an example: The One lies between the Nine and the Two, which are its wings. Primary Ones thus have a stronger colouring either from the Nine or the Two. In addition, the One is connected to the Seven and the Four, and so aspects of the Seven and the Four are found in One personalities, which is dependent on stress and situation and reflects the growth on the path to self-mastery. Thus, an evolved One has integrated liberating aspects of the Seven and a less evolved One shows limiting aspects of the Four.
Note: Graphs next to the brief descriptions of each personality show the respective wings and lines of growth.
However, since nothing living is ever static, we are in a constant state of flux and change. This also means that the more we are in identification with our personality, the more we let external circumstances determine the well-being of our soul. The less self-determined we are, the easier we are to manipulate, the more dependent and trapped we are.
The Enneagram is divided into 3 centres of intelligence, with 3 types assigned to each centre. These 3 types share core themes that characterise each centre. Within each centre lies a central emotion that is given expression as an unconscious reaction to the painful loss of contact with our essence.
8 - 9 - 1 gut or instinct centre
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These central emotions are:
- in the gut centre: ANGER or RAGE
- in the heart centre: SHAME
- in the head centre: FEAR
While everyone is familiar with these emotions, one in particular is in the foreground and formative in the response to the outside world and instrumental in personality formation.
For a better understanding, a brief overview of the types:
Gut centre: central emotion ANGER
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The
Centres of Intelligence
The Wings
Within the 9 personalities we speak of archetypes, which means that no personality is 100% as the type is depicted and described. Each human carries aspects of the other archetypes within them, with the wings denoting the types adjacent to the circle of the respective primary type. These wings have varying degrees of shading on the respective personality, whereby in most cases people recognise a dominant wing. In rarer cases, people observe aspects of both wings or hardly any aspects of either wing.
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While we remain the same primary type throughout our lives, as we develop the wings may become more or less strongly expressed. Since finding a balance plays a fundamental role on the path to ourselves, integrating both wings is a sensible approach.
To find out which is the dominant wing, after finding the primary type, I recommend reading the descriptions of each wing and using self-reflection to determine which is the more dominant.
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Each type, in addition to the wings, is also connected to other types on the axes of the triangle or hexagram.
"Rising" means that a personality evolves and awakens its strength when it takes on qualities of the next type in the integration cycle.
For example: Threes evolve by integrating liberating qualities of the Six. Threes thus 'rise' into the Six.
"Falling" means that a personality becomes 'unhealthy' when it takes on limiting qualities of the next type in the disintegration cycle.
For example: Twos fall by integrating limiting characteristics of the Eight. Twos thus 'fall' into the Eight.
Integration cycle triangle: 3 > 6 > 9 > 3
Disintegration cycle triangle: 9 > 6 > 3 > 9
Integration cycle hexagram: 1 > 7 > 5 > 8 > 2 > 4 > 1
Disintegration cycle hexagram: 4 > 2 > 8 > 5 > 7 > 1 > 4
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The Growth Cycles
AIMS
Working with the Enneagram is a confrontation with oneself and that takes courage. Courage to look inwards, courage to be 100% honest with oneself and the courage and commitment to say goodbye to old patterns. The courage to heal old wounds and to let go of parts of one's limiting personality in order to give other aspects of the self space to flourish and to embark on new, blissful paths.
What does it need from me?
The goal is to become your best self: self-mastery.
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A self-determined life in freedom and without inner constraints.
A life marked by healthy relationships.
A life in presence and in connection with the universe at large.
A life in alignment with your life purpose.
A happy and fulfilled life.
What is my benefit?
PERSONALITY TYPES
ABOUT ME
Marie Netzberger, Enneagram teacher & mental coach in training.
Certified by InnerLifeSkills as 'Enneagram Coach', trained by life.
Born in 1980 in Innsbruck into a presumed 'perfect' family.
Young, attractive, successful. Until everything fell apart.
As a primary Four with a Five wing, I have always felt misunderstood and alien in the world I was born into. The search to understand who I am and why I am here led me down countless misleading paths marked by loss, pain and loneliness, into the most hidden corners of the human psyche. Finally, I encountered the Enneagram and took part in a seminar that was eye-, heart- and sense-opening for me. From that day on, the Enneagram and my intensive studies illuminated the way out of my inner labyrinth into the vastness of being. With the help of meditation and other practices towards a more conscious existence, I found inner peace, trust and deep connection. As well as, for me, the most important quality of life: a feeling of infinite freedom!
Now, with the help of the Enneagram and the knowledge of the universal laws, I would like to enable people to better understand their True Self, their fellow human beings and their relationships, as well as help them live to their fullest potential and thus become masters of their lives.
TESTIMONIES
Marie has helped me see my blind spots, which have been holding me back in various areas of my life. During our sessions, the principle of the Enneagram has been a guide in tackling situations that appeared insurmountable and it helped me deal with difficult personalities and relationships in my life. It has become a lot easier for me to reduce the trigger forces that have been built up throughout my childhood and youth. Marie sees your needs, something you notice immediately when meeting her. She really cares about finding solutions and she wants to work things through with you.
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Precious, 29
Marie has a natural way with people and I feel comfortable speaking with her about private matters. She has a high emotional quotient (EQ). She explains very clearly how the Enneagram works and has guided me over the last year helping me build on my strengths and working on the patterns which are hindering me from achieving my goals.
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Tori, 48
Marie explains the principle of the Enneagram in a clear and simple way that I have never experienced before. At last I understand my behaviour as belonging to me based on my Enneagram type and I can finally stop doubting myself. It is wonderful to experience such clarity and to finally come to terms with myself. Thank you, Marie, it has helped me so much to now also better understand my fellow humans. I can only warmly recommend it to everyone! translated from German
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Marjie, 72
Marie has supported me in getting to know myself better, which enables me to live a happier and more content life. Reflection and mindfulness are at the heart of this. In our sessions Marie always showed me full respect and we were able to create mutual trust in this atmosphere. translated from German
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Irina, 37
CONTACT
Would you like to gain an even more comprehensive understanding of yourself and clarity on your motivational structures with the help of the Enneagram in a personal conversation? I look forward to hearing from you!
Sessions are also available via Zoom and Skype on request.