We arrive today at Enneagram 9. I started out exploring the Enneagram because in any relationship the more we know about ourselves and our partner, the more helpful it is. From The Enneagram Made Easy:
“The Enneagram is a study of the nine basic types of people. It explains why we behave the way we do, and it points to specific directions for individual growth. The Enneagram roots go back many centuries. The exact origin is not known but is believed to have been taught orally in sacred Sufi brotherhoods in the Middle East. … The Enneagram teaches that early in life we learned to feel safe and to cope with our family situations and personal circumstances by developing a strategy based on our natural talents and abilities.
By working with the Enneagram we develop a deeper understanding of others and learn alternatives to our own patterns of behaviour. We break free from worn-out coping strategies and begin to see life from a broader point of view.” (pp. 1-2)
Enneagram 9: The Peacemaker
So here we are at the last of the 9 types – Enneagram: The Peacemaker. The word peacemaker is defined as “a person who brings about peace, especially by reconciling adversaries.” Nines motivation is a need to have inner stability and peace of mind. They fear separation or conflict the most. With that being said, nines absolutely despise conflict. Thus, they will do what they need to in order to avoid experiencing it. They mediate conflict, keep others calm in stressful situations, and just want everyone to get along. Since they, especially, take on qualities of the other eight types, nines have many variations in their personalities, from gentle and mild-mannered to independent and forceful.
What strikes me most about the nine I know the best is, it is hard for her to make choices, simply because she is able to see both the advantages and disadvantages of every option. The plus side, is, once she makes up her mind, she is unstoppable.
Enneagram 9 Wings
The Wings of any Enneagram number can influence that particular type and thus make a big difference in a person’s personality. The wings for 9 are 8 and 1. Nines with a more developed eight-wing tend to be more outgoing, assertive, and antiauthoritarian. Nines with a more developed one wing tend to be more orderly, critical, emotionally controlled, and compliant.
Movement of Enneagram 9
The movement for nines is to six and three. When nines move toward the positive side of three they become more energetic, efficient, and productive. They narrow their focus and acquire more self-confidence and take more control of their lives. The positive move toward six helps them become more direct and outspoken, develop more loyalty, and become more practical and realistic.
So there you have it – the nine different Enneagram types. I am certainly not an expert but I do know the information has been helpful for me and in our relationship over the last 30 or so years. If you want more information, one place to look is my wife Crystal’s website Journey to Inner Wisdom. She will host some Enneagram online workshops in the fall. Check it out.
