Posted by Amanda :) on June 30, 1999 at 12:29:57:
In Reply to: Re: A question of "Discernment".... posted by Summer on June 30, 1999 at 11:58:44:
Hi Summer :)
: 'Gives me the shits' - I like that!
Sometimes - you just gotta tell it like it is!
: Are you a 4w3 wing. I can't imagine an extrovert being a 4w5 with, since both are internal, withdrawn types.
When I first came across the enneagram I actually couldn't decide between 4 and 3 - but realised that the 3 space was where I had disguised myself in response to extreme circumstances....it certainly wasn't the 'real' me - so, I was a 4w3 - which fits with my extroversion much more than 4w5. However, post-therapy revealed a much stronger 5 wing than even I had guessed....
: Hey you guys, I was wondering. What do you think of this theory? I'm a 4w5, as you know, but someone who is newly acquainted with the e-gram was asking me if it was possible for you to develop your dormant wing (in my case, 3) as you start maturing. I seem to have developed some 3 qualities in the last few years...
: I've seen others developing what seems to be their 'other' wing too - but then this could be all wrong...
I don't think so - at least not in my experience. Myers-Briggs refers to the development of inferior functions as one matures and I have found this to be true (on all except the N/S, that is)....so it's not such a stretch to deduce that the same kind of thing can happen with the enneagram. Personally, I have always subscribed to the theory that we actually have both wings, and that one is usually stronger than the other. There was always my 5 wing in the background just waiting to see the light of day. I am also a critic of numbers being E or I as a hard and fast rule. Sure, the trend can be that a 4 is GENERALLY an introverted type - but, like everything else, allowances must be made to accomodate a wide range of human experience. Same goes for childhood origins theories.
Just for the record, I positively identified with both parents, am extroverted, was a 4w3 - but have evolved into a 4w5w3....I think that about covers it!
smiles
Amanda :)