Enneagram 1
"You must be the change you wish to see the world." Much like Gandhi as seen in this quote, 1s naturally imagine a world transformed to be a more whole, good and beautiful place. They take on the weight of perfecting the world, others and themselves. The huge burden they place on themselves is something one can never imagine. With whole serenity 1s freely allow for the gradual progression of perfection. And allowing others without coercion to work alongside them to make the world a better place.
Enneagram 2
"Your ordinary acts of love and hope point to the extraordinary promise that every human life is of inestimable value." For 2s wondrous acts of love indeed point to the value they place on others as Desmond Tutu points here. They see the inherent goodness and lovability of all people so easily but not so much for themselves. They tend to offer up so much for others but can be attached to what you can in return. 2s at their essence, however, love wholeheartedly without strings because it comes from a deep love for self.
Enneagram 3
"I came out to my friends as queer. My entire world opened up; this was a monumental step toward unveiling my truest self."
When 3s live as their true selves instead of the one the world wants them live into what unfolds is this full love for themselves for just the way they are. They are not caught up in their insatiable longing to be accepted, gain recognition or be successful. Not needing to do anything only revealing and being their whole selves as Patrisse Cullors embodies and as seen in this quote of hers.
Enneagram 4
“Sometimes a breakdown can be the beginning of a kind of breakthrough, a way of living in advance through a trauma that prepares you for a future of radical transformation.” Searching for Eden, longing for it. Reaching for its depths. This is how the Enneagram 4 archetype seeks to find meaning and a sense of significance in the midst of darkness. The beauty in that, which 4s seem to understand so well, is the opportunity to uncover the threshold toward healing and transformation--"a breakthrough" just as Cherrie Moraga conveys in this quote.
Enneagram 5
"Life-transforming ideas have always come to me through books." In a myriad of books, literature, basked in fields of information the 5 discovers the path toward navigating a world full of unknowns. Along with energy-inducing and draining experiences and people, observing them at a distance until a great winding blow propels them forward. Driven by their insight, wisdom, and "life-transforming ideas" (to borrow from the words of bell hooks)," freely releasing and offering them to us all generating forth "life-transforming" gifts too.
Enneagram 6
"When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid." Daring to overcome great obstacles. Overcoming fear, trusting one’s own strength, and belief in oneself is the power of 6’s. Their fear and anxiety can leave them either overly depending on outside authorities or a complete distrust of them. Again, as Audre Lorde intelligently acknowledges, once a 6 dares to be powerful in confronting their fears they are more courageous than they could have imagined.
Enneagram 7
“We tell people to follow their dreams, but you can only dream of what you can imagine, and, depending on where you come from, your imagination can be quite limited.” Imagining a better future. Grounded joy and unlimited possibilities can be the gift of 7s. For some 7s of color or others faced with other challenges, it can seem difficult to imagine a better future as Trevor Noah depicts here. Either way, they are equipped to rationalize their tough reality and can create elaborate escapes for themselves. But a 7 can embark on a true healing path when they can ground themselves in stillness and quiet.
Enneagram 8
“The proof that one believes is in action.” Bold, Courageous, Brave and Fearless. Those are the words that come to mind when I describe the Enneagram 8 archetype. In awe of their ability to act in the world when they believe in their heart when someone has been stripped of their human dignity as Bayard Rustin exemplified. But their real strength comes in revealing their most vulnerable selves so we may see them fully.
Enneagram 9
"To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time." Asleep. Unaware. Unconscious. This seems to be where complete tranquility lies especially when you live in a world that despises your very essence. So why should you think for yourself to have mattered? Bottled up rage for this fact keeps you able to cope. This is what I believe James Baldwin was trying to articulate. But reveals the very existence of the 9 archetypes. When a 9 wakes up to their value and significance they rightfully act in the world.