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character types make sense today; they are as complex and
sophisticated, including unconscious needs and drives, as the currently
popular lists of personality types described later.
The purpose of the Enneagram was and is self-enlightenment,
partly by discovering the hidden driving force--an unwanted
compulsion--which underlies your surface personality. Indeed, it is
assumed that your visible personality traits were developed to conceal
your "sinful" compulsion from yourself and others. The nine personality
descriptions are far more richly detailed and prescriptive than I will be
able to provide here, but this will give you the idea and whet your
appetite (see Beesing, Nogosek & O'Leary, 1984; Palmer, 1990; Riso,
1990):
Type #1--The we-can-do-better inspirer: wise, conscientious,
idealistic, hard-working, and perfectionistic. It bothers them when
things are not done "the right way," so when frustrated they may
become critics of others and of themselves. Their underlying drive or
compulsion is to avoid anger and avoid being wrong or criticized. It is
important for them to be right, to maintain control over their
emotions, and to not receive anger or express it. However, few things
or people are perfect, so life is never easy for them.
Type #2--The good Samaritan: compassionate, attentive,
empathic, warm, caring, and constantly giving. May become so
concerned about "preaching" love that they overlook actually helping,
but always have lots of good intentions. Their hidden compulsion?
Neediness. They have strong needs to be needed, appreciated, and
loved, but they want to avoid recognizing those needs. Nothing is done
without a reason, not even by the "selfless" giver.
Type #3--The go getter: confident, high self-esteem, ambitious,
inspiring achiever. May become overly competitive, wanting to always
come out on top, continually trying to impress people. Their
compulsion is to avoid failure and rejection, which forces them to work
hard for success. They believe their personal worth is determined by
their achievements.
Type #4--The creative person: artistic, sensitive, in touch with
feelings, true to self. May become moody, easily hurt, and socially or
emotionally withdrawn, feeling emotionally overloaded and different
from others. They are striving to avoid being ordinary or defective;
they want to be special and unique; they sometimes feel deeply but
more often "on stage" or like an impostor.
Type #5--The learned one: intelligent, logical, loves being alone
and learning, original thinker. May become absorbed in abstract trivia,
proving their own theory, or counter-attacking criticism. They are
attempting to avoid being empty--empty of knowledge and
understanding of the world, empty of answers when asked a difficult
question, and empty of opportunities to learn more. Absorbing
knowledge is their addiction, not using knowledge.
