converting vice to virtue on the path of personal transformation
“ The Master stays behind it; that is why she is ahead.
She is detached from all things; that is why she is one with them.
Because she has let go of herself, she is perfectly fulfilled.”
(Tao Te Ching, translated by Stephen Mitchell)
What do you want in life?
Peace of mind?
Contentment?
Nurturing relationships?
All these things are possible when you let go of the distractions of your conditioning. The enneagram personality system illuminates the ways that you sabotage yourself from living your best life and offers insights into how you might intentionally support yourself. Cultivating a relaxed, embodied presence, an open heart, and a calm mind requires releasing the habits that undermine true fulfillment. Let’s take a look at these dynamics in each type.
Type Eight:
You sabotage yourself by provoking, forcing an issue, and accusing. To intentionally support yourself, practice gentleness versus dominance. As you let go of the need to challenge, mercy naturally arises, and you role model vital innocence. In this way, your super powers of open-hearted leadership and the willingness to address difficult issues will effortlessly emerge.
Type Nine:
You sabotage yourself by numbing out and neglecting yourself. To intentionally support yourself, practice engagement versus avoidance. As you let go of the need to take the easy way out, decisive, loving action naturally arises, and you role model inner peace. In this way, your super powers of going with the flow and peaceful, embodied presence will effortlessly emerge.
Type One:
You sabotage yourself by judging yourself and others. To intentionally support yourself, practice benevolence versus criticality. As you let go of the need to reform systems, other people, and yourself, serenity naturally arises, and you role model integrity. In this way, your superpowers of seeing how things could be better and facilitating positive change will effortlessly emerge.
Type Two:
You sabotage yourself by self-flattery and interference in the lives of others. To intentionally support yourself, practice self-appreciation versus self-importance. As you let go of the need to be needed, humility naturally arises, and you role model unconditional love. In this way your super powers of generosity and selfless service will effortlessly emerge.
Type Three:
You sabotage yourself by trying to gain validation, attention, and the approval of others. To intentionally support yourself, practice self-development versus self-promotion. As you let go of the need to achieve and perform, authenticity naturally arises, and you role model personal value. In this way your super powers of accomplishing goals and inspiring hope effortlessly emerge.
Type Four:
You sabotage yourself by focusing on what you perceive to be missing, feeding your emotions, and seeing yourself as fatally flawed. To intentionally support yourself, practice self-confidence versus self-consciousness. As you let go of the need to be special, equanimity naturally arises, and you role model personal significance. In this way your super powers of emotional availability and unique expression effortlessly emerge.
Type Five:
You sabotage yourself by withholding emotional availability and open-hearted connection. To intentionally support yourself, practice hospitality versus detachment. As you let go of the need to know, benevolence naturally arises, and you role model clarity. In this way your super powers of wisdom and informed counsel effortlessly emerge.
Type Six:
You sabotage yourself by being skeptical and not trusting yourself. To intentionally support yourself, practice drawing on your internal resources versus defending against vulnerability. As you let go of the need to be secure, courage naturally arises, and you role model faith. In this way your super powers of troubleshooting and deep introspection will effortlessly emerge.
Type Seven:
You sabotage yourself by seeking the next high, distracting yourself through planning, and endless consumption without digestion. To intentionally support yourself, practice savoring versus anticipating. As you let go of the need to avoid pain, contentment naturally arises, and you roll model joy. In this way your super powers of spreading cheer, synthesizing information, and making things happen will effortlessly emerge.