Posted by Dave on October 22, 1998 at 20:28:59:
In a recent conversation with an enneagram literate consultant, we talked about some dilemmas of type that lead to living in a personal hell. The example we used was type 6.
6's often get caught in a trap of immobility and indecision because they won't act until they get a high degree of certainty. They wait until they perfect their ideas and actions so as to avoid criticism and possible attack when they do engage the world.
The trap is the feeling of needing certainty and the desire for perfectionism is an emotional one, and too often a 6 will try to solve that through analytical means. But, it doesn't work.
Hell for the 6 is the fixation on eternal questioning, such as, "But, what if.......?", and "But, what about.......?", "But, ....?", etc.. These questions can go on endlessly, upsetting any degree of certainty the 6 may feel. Meanwhile the 6 stays locked in immobilty due to doubt and uncertainty.
Some solutions:
Analysis is fine, as long as it is done while in motion for the 6.
Relief from the compulsion comes from going to 9 and trusting that the natural flow of things, God, principles, etc. will bring things to positive fruition.
Realization that the 6 is creating the doubt, and start to doubt they neccessity of doubting.
Has anyone else come accross what would be the equivilent of a living hell or deep dilemma for any other type?
Care to add anything to the above on 6ishness?
-Dave