The Enneagram is an intricate personality test that I have barely scratched the surface in learning about…here are some Enneagram resources in case you would like to dig into learning more about your identity and the unique and perfect way God designed you!
An Enneagram reservoir to help you discover your type and find your most authentic self
My Experience with Personality Tests
Years ago, when I worked as the manager of a bank, we were given personality tests so that we could understand our management style better. After we were given our results, the supervisors under us were also given a personality test. It was at that time that I realized there is great importance in understanding your own personality/communication style and that of those around you.
You see, my friend, who was also my Teller Supervisor’s test results said, “Do not tell ____, if it were me, I would do it this way.” I kid you not, that is exactly the words I spoke to her each and every time we were discussing a problem and working on a solution! Seriously, we still laugh to this day about that one little line on that test!
After losing Lily, I felt like it was finally time to dig into the Enneagram world and learn more about myself and how God created me using this tool. I believe there are lots of interesting tests out there as well…Myers Briggs was very popular when I was in college and still is! Now, there is Strength’s Finder Tests, DISC Assessment (this is the one I had at the bank), and many more! No matter what, figure out which one you want to learn more about and dig into who you are!
The Enneagram Test
First, to take the Enneagram Test, this is the site that I used…I felt that I wanted to pay for the test to get the most accurate results possible. It is on the Enneagram Institute website, and most of the information about the various types is from their site as well. The test is $12, but there are a lot of free tests out there that are meant to be fun and could potentially lead you to the right result as well!
Once you have taken the test, you should get a “result” with your test. This will lead you on the path to learning more about your unique personality. With Enneagram, you will have a dominate Type and then a Wing…the Wing is determined by the scoring of your potential to be the other types…so, for me…I scored as follows:
Type 6 – 23
Type 8 – 18
Type 2 – 17
Type 1 – 17
Type 3 – 16
Type 5 – 14
and so on…
So, when looking for your Wing, you first say, what is my dominate Type…for me, that is 6. Next, I look for which number adjacent to mine scored highest (5 or 7)…and for me, it was number 5. So I am a 6w5 or 6 with a 5 wing!
As you dig into the meaning of your type and your wing and how there are so many nuances to each, you will discover just how uniquely and purposefully God made you!
Ok…so, now, I want to share the book that I chose to dive into first in relation to the Enneagram and why, then I will share some other popular books that you will want to read as well!
The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth was the book that I felt most drawn to. I first learned about it in a copy of the Magnolia Journal when the author, Christopher Heuertz, wrote a quick article for Joanna Gaines. From that article, I felt his understanding of Enneagram coupled with the Spiritual Aspect would be the place that I would want to start in learning about how God uniquely created me.
In the book’s description, it mentions, “Most of us spend a lifetime trying to figure out who we are and how we relate to God…Far more than a personality test, the Enneagram’s nine profile types offer…a sacred roadmap to the soul.” I think though the most profound statement that grasped my attention as I began the book was about our Identity:
“Identity answers the question ‘Who am I?’ while dignity answers the question, ‘What am I worth?’…Within our historic Christian faith, we affirm that all humanity bears the imprint of the Divine, that we are made in the image of God. This is the starting point for drawing forward our sense of dignity, the intrinsic value that is ascribed not earned, based on our essence in reflecting a good and loving God. If we can start with the grace of resting in our dignity, then the truth of our identity flows forward…Tragically, most of us start with our sense of identity, believing that if we build out the mythology of who we think we are, then the more attractive our identity and the more valuable we become…this is how we get ourselves lost. The challenge is to find our way home”
Here me today dear Sisters…your worth is already established. You are made in His divine image and therefore, you are perfectly created. Now, you must travel the road to walk in that purpose He has for you!
Enneagram Book List
Other books I plan to add to my reading list later this year are:
The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth by Christopher Heuertz (this is the one I mentioned above that I have already read!)
The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective by Father Richard Rohr
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile
The Path Between Us: An Enneagram Journey to Healthy Relationships by Suzanne Stabile
Ok…so, now that we have talked about the book I chose and the other resources that are highly recommended on Enneagram, I want to share an amazing resource with you!
The following section will dive into each type briefly and share a music video by the band, Sleeping at Last, plus a link to the podcast where they share how the song was made (from the art to the music and lyrics) with their co-collaborator, Chris Heuertz from the Sacred Enneagram.
I do want to note one thing that I felt was interesting…the songwriter, Ryan O’Neal from Sleeping at Last wrote in the Afterword of Sacred Enneagram, that as he began to learn about the depth of Enneagram and about each of the types, he was told by Chris, “that [he] would recognize [himself] in whichever type description ‘hurt’ the most”. I have found this to be absolutely true. The qualities about myself that I have often disliked are exactly the ones that hurt…but, there is great joy and understanding that comes when you dig deeper into exactly why and how God created you!
Enneagram Type 1
The Enneagram Institute says, “We have named personality type One The Reformer because Ones have a “sense of mission” that leads them to want to improve the world in various ways, using whatever degree of influence they have. They strive to overcome adversity—particularly moral adversity—so that the human spirit can shine through and make a difference. They strive after “higher values,” even at the cost of great personal sacrifice.”
Sleeping at Last Podcast Link to Enneagram 1
The Enneagram Institute also states “Ones are conscientious and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers, crusaders, and advocates for change: always striving to improve things, but afraid of making a mistake. Well-organized, orderly, and fastidious, they try to maintain high standards but can slip into being critical and perfectionistic. They typically have problems with resentment and impatience.
At their Best: wise, discerning, realistic, and noble. Can be morally heroic.
- Basic Fear: Of being corrupt/evil, defective
- Basic Desire: To be good, to have integrity, to be balanced”
Enneagram Type 2
According to the Enneagram Institute, “We have named personality type Two The Helper because people of this type are either the most genuinely helpful to other people or, when they are less healthy they are the most highly invested in seeing themselves as helpful. Being generous and going out of their way for others makes Twos feel that theirs is the richest, most meaningful way to live. The love and concern they feel—and the genuine good they do—warms their hearts and makes them feel worthwhile. Twos are most interested in what they feel to be the “really, really good” things in life—love, closeness, sharing, family, and friendship.”
Sleeping at Last Podcast Link to Enneagram 2
The Enneagram Institute also shares, “Twos are empathetic, sincere, and warm-hearted. They are friendly, generous, and self-sacrificing, but can also be sentimental, flattering, and people-pleasing. They are well-meaning and driven to be close to others, but can slip into doing things for others in order to be needed. They typically have problems with possessiveness and with acknowledging their own needs.
At their Best: unselfish and altruistic, they have unconditional love for others.
- Basic Fear: Of being unwanted, unworthy of being loved
- Basic Desire: To feel loved”
Enneagram Type 3
The Enneagram Institute says, “We have named personality type Three The Achiever because when they are healthy, Threes really can and do achieve great things in the world. They are the “stars” of human nature, and people often look up to them because of their graciousness and personal accomplishments. Healthy Threes know how good it feels to develop themselves and contribute their abilities to the world, and also enjoy motivating others to greater personal achievements than others thought they were capable of. They are usually well regarded and popular among their peers, the type of person who is frequently voted “class president” or “homecoming queen” because people feel they want to be associated with this kind of person who acts as a stand-in for them.”
Sleeping at Last Podcast Link to Enneagram 3
The Enneagram Institute adds, “Threes are self-assured, attractive, and charming. Ambitious, competent, and energetic, they can also be status-conscious and highly driven for advancement. They are diplomatic and poised, but can also be overly concerned with their image and what others think of them. They typically have problems with workaholism and competitiveness.
At their Best: self-accepting, authentic, everything they seem to be—role models who inspire others.
- Basic Fear: Of being worthless
- Basic Desire: To feel valuable and worthwhile”
Enneagram Type 4
“We have named this type Four The Individualist because Fours maintain their identity by seeing themselves as fundamentally different from others. Fours feel that they are unlike other human beings, and consequently, that no one can understand them or love them adequately. They often see themselves as uniquely talented, possessing special, one-of-a-kind gifts, but also as uniquely disadvantaged or flawed. More than any other type, Fours are acutely aware of and focused on their personal differences and deficiencies,” says the Enneagram Institute.
Sleeping at Last Podcast Link to Enneagram 4
The Enneagram Institute also shares, “Fours are self-aware, sensitive, and reserved. They are emotionally honest, creative, and personal, but can also be moody and self-conscious. Withholding themselves from others due to feeling vulnerable and defective, they can also feel disdainful and exempt from ordinary ways of living. They typically have problems with melancholy, self-indulgence, and self-pity.
At their Best: inspired and highly creative, they are able to renew themselves and transform their experiences.
- Basic Fear: That they have no identity or personal significance
- Basic Desire: To find themselves and their significance (to create an
identity)”
Enneagram Type 5
According to the Enneagram Institute, “We have named personality type Five The Investigator because, more than any other type, Fives want to find out why things are the way they are. They want to understand how the world works, whether it is the cosmos, the microscopic world, the animal, vegetable, or mineral kingdoms—or the inner world of their imaginations. They are always searching, asking questions, and delving into things in depth. They do not accept received opinions and doctrines, feeling a strong need to test the truth of most assumptions for themselves.”
Sleeping at Last Podcast Link to Enneagram 5
The Enneagram Institute also says, “Fives are alert, insightful, and curious. They are able to concentrate and focus on developing complex ideas and skills. Independent, innovative, and inventive, they can also become preoccupied with their thoughts and imaginary constructs. They become detached, yet high-strung and intense. They typically have problems with eccentricity, nihilism, and isolation.
At their Best: visionary pioneers, often ahead of their time, and able to see the world in an entirely new way.
- Basic Fear: Being useless, helpless, or incapable
- Basic Desire: To be capable and competent”
Enneagram Type 6
(This is my type!) Enneagram Institute says, “We have named personality type Six The Loyalist because, of all the personality types, Sixes are the most loyal to their friends and to their beliefs. They will “go down with the ship” and hang on to relationships of all kinds far longer than most other types. Sixes are also loyal to ideas, systems, and beliefs—even to the belief that all ideas or authorities should be questioned or defied. They will typically fight for their beliefs more fiercely than they will fight for themselves, and they will defend their community or family more tenaciously than they will defend themselves.”
Sleeping at Last Podcast Link to Enneagram 6
Enneagram Institute also adds, “The committed, security-oriented type. Sixes are reliable, hard-working, responsible, and trustworthy. Excellent “troubleshooters,” they foresee problems and foster cooperation, but can also become defensive, evasive, and anxious—running on stress while complaining about it. They can be cautious and indecisive, but also reactive, defiant and rebellious. They typically have problems with self-doubt and suspicion.
At their Best: internally stable and self-reliant, courageously championing themselves and others.
- Basic Fear: Of being without support and guidance
- Basic Desire: To have security and support”
Enneagram Type 7
The Enneagram Institute states, “We have named this personality type Seven The Enthusiast because Sevens are enthusiastic about almost everything that catches their attention. They approach life with curiosity, optimism, and a sense of adventure, like “kids in a candy store” who look at the world in wide-eyed, rapt anticipation of all the good things they are about to experience. They are bold and vivacious, pursuing what they want in life with a cheerful determination. They have a quality best described by the Yiddish word “chutzpah”—a kind of brash “nerviness.”
Sleeping at Last Podcast on Enneagram 7
They also add, “Sevens are extroverted, optimistic, versatile, and spontaneous. Playful, high-spirited, and practical, they can also misapply their many talents, becoming over-extended, scattered, and undisciplined. They constantly seek new and exciting experiences, but can become distracted and exhausted by staying on the go. They typically have problems with impatience and impulsiveness.
At their Best: they focus their talents on worthwhile goals, becoming appreciative, joyous, and satisfied.
- Basic Fear: Of being deprived and in pain
- Basic Desire: To be satisfied and content—to have their needs fulfilled”
Enneagram Type 8
According to the Enneagram Institute, “We have named personality type Eight The Challenger because, of all the types, Eights enjoy taking on challenges themselves as well as giving others opportunities that challenge them to exceed themselves in some way. Eights are charismatic and have the physical and psychological capacities to persuade others to follow them into all kinds of endeavors—from starting a company to rebuilding a city, to running a household, to waging war, to making peace.”
Sleeping at Last Podcast on Enneagram 8
The Institute also adds, “Eights are self-confident, strong, and assertive. Protective, resourceful, straight-talking, and decisive, but can also be ego-centric and domineering. Eights feel they must control their environment, especially people, sometimes becoming confrontational and intimidating. Eights typically have problems with their tempers and with allowing themselves to be vulnerable.
At their Best: self- mastering, they use their strength to improve others’ lives, becoming heroic, magnanimous, and inspiring.
- Basic Fear: Of being harmed or controlled by others
- Basic Desire: To protect themselves (to be in control of their own life
and destiny)”
Enneagram Type 9
The Enneagram Institute says, “We have called personality type Nine The Peacemaker because no type is more devoted to the quest for internal and external peace for themselves and others. They are typically “spiritual seekers” who have a great yearning for connection with the cosmos, as well as with other people. They work to maintain their peace of mind just as they work to establish peace and harmony in their world. The issues encountered in the Nine are fundamental to all psychological and spiritual work—being awake versus falling asleep to our true nature; presence versus entrancement, openness versus blockage, tension versus relaxation, peace versus pain, union versus separation.”
Sleeping at Last Podcast on Enneagram 9
The Institute also states, “Nines are accepting, trusting, and stable. They are usually creative, optimistic, and supportive, but can also be too willing to go along with others to keep the peace. They want everything to go smoothly and be without conflict, but they can also tend to be complacent, simplifying problems and minimizing anything upsetting. They typically have problems with inertia and stubbornness.
At their Best: indomitable and all-embracing, they are able to bring people together and heal conflicts.
- Basic Fear: Of loss and separation
- Basic Desire: To have inner stability peace of mind”
Enneagram Podcast Links
I have embedded a couple here as well as linked a few! Definitely add these to your library and tell me what you think!
Enneagram Websites & Facebook Groups
Your Enneagram Coach is a wonderful Christian Enneagram Facebook group with lots of activity, information and a biblical perspective! Her website, Your Enneagram Coach, has lots of resources for Marriages and to learn more about yourself!
Add to the Ultimate Enneagram Resource List
I hope you have found the Ultimate Enneagram Resource helpful in connecting you to various sites and books that can show you more about your true identity! Please comment with your favorites…especially ones that I do not have listed here so that I can update this post regularly!!
Save for Later!! Pin these!!
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