The original theory of Enneagram
This encyclopaedia contains descriptions of Ichazo's original Enneagram theory and does not cover the well-known, widespread interpretations. Oscar Ichazo is the original inventor of the theory of Enneagram and developed it simultaneously and independently to all other Enneagram interpretations and variations.
Introduction to the psychotherapeutic theory of Oscar Ichazo
As an overview: This theory deals with negative experiences from childhood and adolescence and their effects on a person's ego or personality. Almost all experiences that you make at a young age have a fundamental impact on your psyche as an adult. Of course, experiences at a later age can have a major impact too.
These 9 examples of egos, which are listed in great detail below on their own subpages, are negative personality patterns that control and influence your everyday behaviour without you realising it. An ego describes a negative collection of rigid, inflexible, repetitive patterns of behaviour and thinking (fixations) that prevent you from reaching a state of happiness. In other words, these egos are the end product of all your experiences in 9 different areas of life. The totality of your psyche is usually not made up of a single ego, but of several; it is therefore important to identify the potential problems of each of these egos in order to be able to address them. The first step to any self-improvement is self-analysis.According to Oscar Ichazo, the inventor of this psychological theory, the Enneagram is a psychotherapeutic tool that can be of great value, especially within therapies.
Each ego is defined as a number from 1 to 9, whose deeper meaning must be taken from the respective descriptions. In general, a person has three more important egos: an ego that originated from problems with one's own mother figure (8, 9 or 1), an ego that originated from negative emotions towards a father figure (2, 3 or 4) and an ego that can be traced back to complications with one's social environment (5, 6 or 7). As there is most likely more than one fundamental problem in your life history, it is essential that you don't just focus on the problems of one ego.
Conservation Instinct
Egos with profound impairments in their psychological capacity for mental self-preservation.
Characterised by feelings of sadness and depression due to a lack of feelings of love, affection and support from a mother figure during childhood. They perceive that their own existence is deficient in some way.
Enneagram Ego 8
Over-Moralist
Domain of Laws and Morals
"People around me deserve to be criticised for their behaviour. Everybody is responsible for their own faults and problems and they should all know that. People make me feel depressed."
Enneagram Ego 9
Over-Seeker
Domain of Spirituality and Ideology
"I must believe in myself and others in order to be happy; I shouldn't doubt what provides me with happiness and purpose. However, I actually feel alienated from others and can't stop mistrusting them."
Enneagram Ego 1
Over-Perfectionist
Domain of Feelings and Sentiments
"I resent myself for having so many flaws. If I don't do everything right, I tend to think of myself as a failure. In such situations I tend to isolate myself away from others, because I am not good enough for them."
Relation Instinct
Egos with profound impairments in their ability to form or maintain interpersonal relationships with other people.
Characterised by feelings of anger, anxiety and social complexes due to a dysfunctional relationship with a father figure. They perceive a strong deficit in their own ability to build relationships with other people.
Enneagram Ego 2
Over-Independent
Domain of Health and Security
"I am independent from others and therefore strong... people depend on me, but actually I want to be able to depend on someone else because everything is too much for me alone."
Enneagram Ego 3
Over-Displayer
Domain of Creativity and Self-Expression
"I embody the best possible personality in terms of my values and standards. Yet, I still feel awfully alone in this world – nobody truly knows or understands me. My social relations often feel like a lie."
Enneagram Ego 4
Over-Reasoner
Domain of Intellect and Rationalization
"Other people are dishonest and selfish, while I am not... I am certain that they are out to critize or use me for their own good. I can't stop thinking about what other people must think about me."
Adaptation Instinct
Egos with profound impairments and hurdles in social and societal areas.
Characterised by feelings of fear and stress related to their social and societal environment, as their past has been plagued with problems in such environments. They perceive to be constantly at war with their own society as they are unable to adapt to it.
Enneagram Ego 5
Over-Observer
Domain of Social Interaction
"If I present myself as more sociable, nice, charming and helpful, will other people then like me? What do I have to do so that I can feel less distant from everybody?"
Enneagram Ego 6
Over-Adventurer
Domain of Work and Activity
"In order to have a place in the world, I have to try as hard as possible, even if I have to fight with constant exhaustion. But I have so many things to do, that I don't know how to relax anymore."
Enneagram Ego 7
Over-Idealist
Domain of Position and Authority
"I am sick of my social environment and will now go my own way, despite of what the world is trying to force upon me. I am going to become better than all of the people that reduced me."