Harmony

I am peaceful & comfortable

Enneagram Type Nine

Type Nine

Peacemaker / Mediator

People of Enneatype NINE are easy-going peacemakers motivated by a desire to foster harmony in their environment, and to maintain an undisturbed and comfortable equilibrium. Their typically-calm, congenial and accepting nature makes it especially effortless for them to relate to people with a variety of opinions and temperaments. They are often a favorite and trusted confidant for others.

Nines can exhibit a wide variety of external behaviors -from introverted & creative to extroverted & witty – but what they have in common is an overwhelming interest in avoiding disturbances and keeping the peace. As such, they make exemplary mediators for others, but also end up merging with others or “going along to get along” in order to minimize upsets or discord.

Nines rarely exhibit external anger (and indeed, might not even recognize anger in themselves at all), but it is lurking underneath the surface. Nines, like all others in the body triad (8,9,1) resist being controlled or pressured, and in their efforts to avoid whatever causes them discomfort, they can be surprisingly stubborn and resistant.

At Their Best:

Adaptable, steady, supportive, patient, non-judgmental and excellent mediators.

When Struggling:

Indecisive, spaced-out, unfocused, apathetic, passive-aggressive, and stubborn.

What Type Nines say about themselves:
  • I seem to be the one that people feel safe confiding in.
  • Once I settle into comfortable routines in my life, it can be hard to make changes.
  • I often feel like I simultaneously want to be included, but also don’t want any obligations.
  • Most people seem to get worked up too easily; I’m usually pretty even-keeled.
  • I mostly give into to others rather than make a scene or have a blow-out argument.
  • Sometimes I have trouble figuring out exactly what I want, or what to prioritize.
  • I can easily see many different points of view, and I can get along with almost anybody.
  • I can be very busy all day, but then realize that I got lost in the inessential tasks.
  • I can be surprisingly stubborn when I feel pressured to do something I don’t want to do.
  • It feels to me that everything & everyone are connected in some universal way.

We each feel that we must show up in a certain way in the world in order to deserve love.

These are internal messages that resonate with Nines:

BASIC FEAR: Of loss and separation.

BASIC DESIRE: To have inner stability “peace of mind”.

BASIC PROPOSITION: “You gain belonging by merging with others, and comfort by dispersing your energy into objects and activities.”

AVOIDANCE: Conflict, confrontation, and discomfort.

FOCUS of ATTENTION: Other people’s agendas and the external environment.

  • Positive aspect: The ability to see multiple points of view and to empathize with almost anyone.
  • Negative aspect: The tendency to have trouble knowing their own opinions or figuring out their own agenda, sometimes stubbornly resisting making priorities or taking action.

 

Strategies For Growth:

  • Observe your habit of mind or focus of attention with as little judgment as possible. Ask yourself, in what ways am I going along with other’s agendas and how am I getting distracted from my own priorities? Remind yourself that your own priorities are just as important as anyone else’s, and that it is crucial to set aside scheduled time to deal with your own agenda.
  • Notice when you are daydreaming, drifting off, or tuning out, and force yourself to pay attention to what is going on. Work on focusing your attention on the real world around you so that you can be an active participant in your own life.

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