SYNOPSIS OF ARTICLE: Here I review what the higher essential qualities of the nine types mean to me. For each type I clarify the meaning of the words used in the Enneagram teachings (including the Holy Ideas and the Emotional Virtues), define how I experience these qualities, and give short examples. I state the meaning of “essence” as those qualities of being that underlie all external manifestations and are always present at least in the background, qualities such as hope, faith, and love.
Simplified Descriptions of the Types’ Essential Spiritual Qualities: Integrating the Holy Ideas and Emotional Virtues Into Our Personality Structure
By David Daniels, M.D.
The essential qualities exist at the core of our being, at the hub of existence in the oneness-of-all or unity. We have all had oneness-of-all experiences at some point, for example, when hearing or when playing music, in being in a wondrous scene in nature, in skiing down a slope, in sexual union, in prayer, in meditation or when in deep reflection, in acts of kindness, etc. In unity, there is simply knowing that the divine or essential qualities of Holy Hope (3), Faith (6), Unconditional Love (9), Universal Truth (8), Perfection of all (1), Freedom (2), Connection to origin (4), Omniscience (5), and Work for its own sake (7) are always present.
We need to know deeply that these qualities are not just experienced cognitively, but also emotionally and energetically, i.e., somatically. When integrated into our personality, they change the structure of our lives, literally the substance of our being. And integration requires the development of grounded, receptive energy, which I call the “great emulsifier,” as it allows our essential qualities to infuse our personality structure and liberate us from the confines of our old, no-longer-valid core beliefs and habit of mind.
Remember, “essence” is that which underlies all external manifestations and is permanent and unchanging (Webster’s Dictionary). The Enneagram words for these essential qualities don’t just fit the dictionary definitions. Here, in my simple understandings, I share what these qualities of essence mean to me, listing first the Holy Idea (or higher mental quality) and then the Virtue (or higher emotional quality). Some aspects cited here represent the personality’s experience when integration occurs, and therefore, as a result, represent our best personality qualities. Each of these qualities simply needs to be integrated into our lives each day.
Type 1: Holy Perfection (higher mental quality) and Serenity (higher emotional quality) means the undivided oneness-of-all at the core of our being without judgmentalness, which we experience in the body as calm abiding and a simple appreciation of differences. This is termed “serenity.” Then all experience, including the vital instincts, occurs without resistance, just as when we were little children. Thus, all positive and negative feelings occur without resistance and anger abates. This means we are in the natural flow of positive and negative experience, which gives us a nonjudgmental perspective. In this state of being, it becomes impossible to intentionally hurt another being, as love is all there is.
Type 2: Holy Freedom (higher mental quality) and Humility (higher emotional quality) means real needs get met by a will greater than our own will, which creates the freedom to be in the natural flow of giving and receiving without pride This is termed “humility.” For example, we experience this flow in the mother-infant nursing experience, where both are nurtured and, in helping, respond to tragedies and environmental disasters. We sense what is appropriate to give and take. All of which provides congruence. We are free to operate without attachment to the needs of self or others. Thus true humility is simply being in the natural flow of giving and receiving.
Type 3: Holy Hope (higher mental quality) and Veracity (higher emotional quality) means things get done according to universal laws and not upon the sole effort of the individual doer. This provides enduring hope for the future, which in turn allows for the expression of our own true feelings. This is termed “veracity.” We witness this natural unfolding when we go out into nature. This allows for truly experiencing what really needs doing and what doesn’t. Thus, there is no going away from feelings and, hence, no continuous go-ahead energy and no self-deception takes place. Then, and only then, can there be a harmonious blend of doing and being, of accomplishment and presence, to self and others. The integrated Type 3 knows that love comes from the qualities of being, which further allows for the genuine expression of real feelings.
Type 4: Holy Origin (higher mental quality) and Equanimity (higher emotional quality) means that in the original state of being, whole and complete connection exists in each moment with nothing of substance or importance missing. Being in this oneness-of-all creates inner calm. Complete harmony exists with what is present. This is termed “equanimity.” Gratitude for what is present and appreciation for life’s positives can abound. In this balanced state, no emotions dominate. The body moves appropriately into life’s circumstances. Longing abates and goes to only those things that are truly worth pursuing. The infant in utero represents the physical example of this whole and complete connection. No wonder there is such a wail (of felt-sense separation) at the time of birth.
Type 5: Holy Omniscience (higher mental quality) and Non-attachment (higher emotional quality) means a direct or transparent inner knowing. It is independent of thoughts and feelings and is accompanied by the natural flow of universal energy, which provides ample life energy. Infants exemplify this transparent knowing and natural flow of energy as they only live in the present moment, and without cognition. Thus, life energy flows freely from and to the self. This is termed “non-attachment.” Consequently, we naturally move forward into life and toward nurturance and not away from either in what plays out as “avarice” for what we feel we just can’t live without or attain readily. There is astuteness about what is required in life and what isn’t, and we are able to experience life energy flowing freely from, to, and through the body without grasping or clutching for it.
Type 6: Holy Faith (higher mental quality) and Courage (higher emotional quality) means true faith in self, other, and the universe emerges, knowing that nothing destroys essence—which underlies all else. To me, this also means grasping that nothing, even death, can destroy the divine or higher qualities and the oneness of all at the core of our being. Faith allows for our meeting real danger with firmness of purpose. This is termed “courage.” It also means not magnifying danger and what could possibly go wrong. In true faith, we recognize responsibility for our own existence and in the process, we become our own authority. Then, we naturally face hazardous or fearful situations by going into them rather than away from them or against them. Parents exemplify this in the way they protect their children, for instance, when children venture into new unexplored situations with a parent calmly and supportively at their side.
Type 7: Holy Work (higher mental quality) and Sobriety (higher emotional quality) means embracing all of life with focused concentration and the ability to travel the spectrum of consciousness fully and freely, which allows for staying in the present moment with steadfast constancy. This is termed “sobriety.” This means we embrace the present moment as it is—whether it includes pain and sadness or joy and pleasure—with an open heart to both others and self. Little children exemplify this in being fully present to what occurs, regardless of either delight or pain. Gluttony of the mind (as our way out of pain) for endless future possibilities and adventures abates. We are instead fully grounded, experiencing the full spectrum of life, including the many dimensions of our inner life. Then, commitment ot the full journey of ourselves, through effort (Holy Work) and dedication for its own sake naturally ensues.
Type 8: Holy Truth (higher mental quality) and Innocence (higher emotional quality) means knowing and embracing the essential truth that resides in all beings in each moment, which is different from contacting just our own version of truth. This quality, termed “innocence,” enables us to come freshly to each situation without prejudice, agendas, or power motives. The exuberant energy then attunes to and then responds to each situation and person. We also come back to appreciating the greater truth of the oneness-of-all at the core of being. Proportionality, the application of our ample energy fitting any given situation, results. This stance allows for our experiencing each person’s truth as well as their boundaries, which actually enhances our authentic power. We experience this innocence in little children who eagerly explore the entire spectrum of life freshly with fullness, curiosity, readiness, and openness.
Type 9: Holy Love (higher mental quality) and Right Action (higher emotional quality) begins with the blissful state of unconditional love and union wherein everyone belongs (and is loved) equally, which then allows for the bodily experience of taking an action that is appropriate to any given situation, and is an action that takes into account the self equal to, not more than or less than, all others. This kind of action is termed “right action.” It entails our directly knowing what action supports our life and well-being and is for the highest good of all, and inertia toward the self disappears. From this stance, empathy, care, and compassion radiate to all, including self. There is acceptance of self as well as other without judgmentalness. We take action appropriate and essential to each given situation and for all involved.