Triangles

Three Triangles connect the styles across the Enneagram Mandala. To be more balanced or whole in your temperament, it is wise to cultivate your full triangle so that you do not exhibit too much of your given ability, creating a paralysis in type. While some of the combinations seem counterintuitive, they, in fact, create a good three-legged stool of balance. Whatever the burden of the Enneagram style, connecting to the positive aspects of the Triangle for that type can ameliorate the negative aspect.

 The Busies’ “Focused Distraction” 3-6-9 Pink Triangle: Each member of this Triangle is busy being focused in one dimension and distracted in another. This triangle is also unique in that they are somehow numb to their originating triad: Mind, Heart, or Gut. Therefore, the 3s avoid their emotions. The 6s look emotional as they listen to the wavering drum of their worrying mind.  The 9s appear anything but strength/gut-like in their easy-going manner. For balance, the 6 gives structure and loyalty to the busy, creative 3 and the laid-back, distractible 9. The easygoing 9 encourages the 3 and 6 to relax and escape their drive to achieve or make things safe. The goal oriented 3 can motivate the 9 and an achievable focus to the 6’s need for certainty.

 The Intensives’ 7-1-4 Orange Triangle:  In this triangle, all must be “one of a kind,” exactly right, or unique. This might be the unique adventure, the perfect detail, or the very special one. Initially, the Intensives are experienced as fun, exciting, interesting, valuable, and desirable. However, there is also an emotional intensity or drivenness emanating from each of these three types that can be worn, even exhausting, to members of other triangles. There is nothing quiet or subdued about the members of this triangle. They attack life from their perspective of fun, rightness, or depth. For balance, the 1’s ability to see reality provides a groundedness for the emotional volatility of the 4 and the busy adventures of the 7. The creative energy of the 4 provides emotional relief to the 1’s sense of right and wrong and touching into feelings, usually ignored by the ever-jovial 7. The 7 can lighten the heavy feeling load of the 4 and the correcting, critical side of the 1.

 The Sensitives’ 8-2-5 Yellow Triangle: This triangle of folks, sensitive to different dimensions of life, needs balance to not be overwhelmed by their particular Enneagram version of being. Unlike the Intensives, the Sensitives are driven toward the goodness of the whole, not to their personal satisfaction. However, their sensitivity in some areas leads them to be insensitive in other areas. And their sensitivity is often hidden within their Enneagram gift like a yin/yang. The Sensitives, at their worst, are experienced by others as controlling, manipulative, and withholding. At their best, they are experienced as caring, insightful, and good leaders. For balance, the 2’s heartfelt connection to others allows the 8 to climb down from his dominant stance and the 5 to open to others’ needs with compassion. The 8’s strength and power are necessary to counterbalance the 2’s over-giving and the 5’s possible withdrawal from life. The 5’s contemplative observing gives the 2 a chance to check back with their own needs and gives the 8 a less intrusive, aggressive, taking charge stance.