Enneagram Subtypes

Enneagram Subtypes The basic 9 types are only the first step to understanding personality differences. Each of us have 3 basic instincts - the instinct to be close to another, bond - the mating or sexual or relationship instinct. The second instinct is to be part of a social group - the herd instinct and the last one is the desire to feel secure and safe - the basic survival instinct. The mating or relationship instinct is the desire to be close to another - the desire for 1 to 1 intimacy, the desire for intense energy, the desire to have a deep, personal connection with another person. Sometimes this is displayed in one's sexuality or desire for spiritual connection. The social instinct is the desire to be part of a group, to be included and valued in a group - be it a group of friends, family, organization, culture, work setting, or the world. The social instinct is the knowing that one's personal survival relates to their role in the group. The self preservation instinct is the desire to create security for one's future, to create comfort, to protect one's self and those close to them around health, financial security, home and basic issues of food, shelter and clothing. Generally one of these instinctual drives are dominant in a person's personality. The dominant drive is the one that you think and obsess about the most, the one that drives you the most and causes you the most pain when that instinctual drive and need is not met. On one hand you are good are meeting the needs of that drive possibly but it is often out of balance, since you believe you have to have those needs first met in order to survive. Self preservation dominant subtypes often have money in the bank and fear losing it, the social subtypes are obsessed with getting social approval and relationship subtypes are anxious about pursuing or losing a mate or boyfriend or girlfriend. We have all 3 drives of the subtypes. Beyond your dominant drive, your second drive or middle drive is the one that is easier for you than the other two and therefore generally more in balance. The last or third one is the one you neglect the most and therefore causes you trouble also. Self preservation last subtype often lives on the edge financially and don't have savings, Social last often neglects their social connections which can help with the other two needs, and Relationship subtype last often don't put the time and energy into important close relationships. Which are your subtype stacking - first, second, third? How can you balance all three so that all three are important? Do you notice others' subtype stacking? There are 6 different subtype stacking possibilities. How can you relate to others who have a different subtype order?