| |
Type Four: The Symbol Maker
Personality Identification
What do I want most?
- I want to be understood and to understand myself.
What is most important to me?
- It is important to me to find a meaning and a purpose in my life.
What is the worst thing that could happen to me?
- The worst thing that could happen to me is for people to think that
there is something emotionally wrong with me.
How do I see myself (on a good day)?
- I am thoughtful, sincere, sensitive, and emotionally intense.
Path of Peace: Four (Symbol Maker) looks to One (Judge)
The Four, always struggling to understand itself, lets go of this effort,
makes an act of faith in its goodness, and generates for itself moral principles
to follow like a healthy One, reveals itself like a healthy Three, develops
the other focus of healthy Two, and discovers the spontaneous creativity
of a healthy Five.
|
I am principled.
[1. Judge] |
|
I am creative.
[5. Watcher] |
I am understanding.
[4. Symbol Maker] |
I am expressive.
[3. Performer] |
|
I am caring.
[2. Caretaker] |
|
Path of Storms: Four (Symbol Maker) looks to Two (Caretaker)
The Four, after whining attempts to find nurturing outside of itself,
withdraws into itself for self-nurturing and develops the selfishness of
the unhealthy Two, develops false self-presentations like an unhealthy
Three, becomes envious like an unhealthy One, and feels the emptiness of
the unhealthy Five.
|
I am envious.
[1. Judge] |
|
I am barren.
[5. Watcher] |
I am misunderstood.
[4. Symbol Maker] |
I am deceitful.
[3. Performer] |
|
I am needy.
[2. Caretaker] |
|
A Counseling Approach
- Yes, once you trust in your basic goodness, you free yourself from
envy and the self-punishment impulse that is at the cause of shameful behavior.
Once you accept your goodness it gives you great moral strength.
- Yes, the natural beauty of who you are expresses itself spontaneously
once you trust that it is there.
- Yes, once we give up the yearning to be understood we become very understanding
of other people's feelings and genuinely care for them. We understand who
we are when we understand others. We care for ourselves when we care for
others.
- Yes, you are a very creative person. Once you trust in your goodness
and creativity it pours out of you when you look the other way.
- Yes, you have always been acceptable and lovable as you are. If there
are people who can't see it, it's their loss and not your fault. Give to
others the love and understanding that you want for yourself.
Rev. William J. Callahan, S.J.
The Enneagram for Youth
Counselor's Manual
Loyola University Press, 1992, 156 pages
|