Three Sets of Three Clustered Anticipations
Each of the nine Enneagram types is distinctive, as we can see from the unique descriptions of each Type offered by Helen Palmer. However, there are important ways in which each Type clusters with two of the other types regarding their perspective on the world—and way(s) in which they anticipate what is about to happen in their world. The following are three different sets of clusters offered by Helen Palmer, and two other noted Enneagram experts and authors—Don Riso and Russ Hudson (2003).
Instincts, Feelings, and Thoughts
One of the alternative models of Enneagram types is offered by Riso and Hudson (Riso and Hudson, 2003). For these two Enneagram specialists, “each type has a particular way of coping with the dominant emotional theme of its Triad.” (Riso and Hudson, 2003, p. 68)
Riso and Hudson (2003, p. 68) begin with a triad consisting of the Enneagram Eights, Nines, and Ones. Their triad is called “instinctive”:
“In the Instinctive Triad, Eights act out their anger and instinctual energies. . . .Others can clearly see that Eights are angry because they give themselves permission to assert their anger, vitality, and instinctual energy directly and physically. Nines deny their anger and instinctual energies as if to say, “What anger? I am not a person who gets angry.” Nines are the type most out of touch with their anger and instinctual energies, often feeling threatened by them. . . .Ones attempt to control or repress their anger and instinctual energy. They feel that they must stay in control of themselves, especially of their angry feelings and instinctual impulses at all times. They would like to direct these energies according to the dictates of their highly developed inner critic (superego), the source of their strictures on themselves and others.”
If we turn our attention to the matter of anticipation, we might propose that Enneagram Eights are inclined to anticipate that the anger is justified and that it is acceptable to express this anger. The world is a threatening place, and the Eights believe they have sufficient resources (power) to successfully display anger. By contrast, the Enneagram Nines anticipate that the setting in which they are operating is one in which anger is totally unacceptable. As moderators, they are in the business of helping to manage (and perhaps suppress) any expression of anger. They should themselves epitomize restraint. Could Jesus be the ideal for Enneagram Nines to emulate?
Finally, we find that Enneagram Ones anticipate an orderly world of their own creation where the display of anger would be “distasteful” and “unbecoming” of someone living in a world of “decency” and “civility.” If Anger should appear in one’s psyche, it should be repressed. A bit of freeze is preferred to fight and even flight would be “unmannerly.” So, for an Enneagram One, it is a matter of serving other people in a proper manner, regardless of your feelings about them. If you can’t be polite, then be quiet—for one should never anticipate that an angry gesture is called for in an orderly world.
Riso and Hudson (Riso and Hudson, 2003, p. 69) identified the second Enneagram triad as based in the domain of Feelings. It includes the Enneagram Twos, Threes, and Fours:
“In the Feeling Triad, Twos attempt to compensate for their underlying shame by getting other people to like them and to want them in their lives. They also want to convince themselves that they are good and loving by focusing on their positive feelings for others while repressing their negative feelings, such as resentment at not being appreciated enough. As long as Twos can get positive emotional responses from others, they feel wanted and thus have value. Threes try to deny their shame and are potentially the most out of touch with underlying feelings of inadequacy. Threes learn to cope with shame by trying to become what they believe a valuable, successful person is like. . . . Fours attempt to avoid their underlying shame by focusing on how unique and special their particular talents, feelings, and personal characteristics are. Fours focus on their individuality and creativity as a way of dealing with their shameful feelings, although Fours are the type most likely to succumb to feelings of inadequacy.”
Download Article
