Harmonic Groups - Tumblr Posts

Enneagram Triads: 3. Harmonic Groups

Whilst the Hornevian Groups looks at the actions of the types, the Harmonic Groups focuses on the types reactions to obstacles and difficulties in life. And the groupings are completely different to those seen in the Hornevian triads. Probably the easiest way to type someone is by identifying both their Hornevian and Harmonic group, their action and reaction to the world. In the Harmonic triads, similar to other groupings, we find three distinct ways of reacting to an obstacle. They can be classed according to the reasoning attached with each view. Remember, although these reactions are paired with certain types, people of these types may in addition also react according to their lines of integration and disintegration, depending on how developed they are. Positive Outlook - Types 2, 7, 9 The silver lining is what these types focus upon. When the going gets tough, the Positive Outlook types bring our attention to what is still going right and how the problem may not be that bad. Type 7 does this through their focus on happiness, on constantly keeping the environment upbeat. Type 2 will focus on people, calming and reassuring them in trouble. Type 9 maintains their tranquility throughout the ordeal, acting as a soothing presence for others. One problem with the Postive Outlook types is that sometimes they can easily overlook the problem, even denying its existence. The focus on happiness and positivity can be used as avoidance of problems and so it’s important for people who react like this to acknowledge that can be good sometimes to face an obstacle as it is, working through the pain and difficulty with resilience. Competency - Types 1, 3, 5 When faced with an obstacle, the Competency group look towards resolution, working as quickly and efficiently as they can. They value an unemotional approach to problem-solving, valuing cognitive efficiency as opposed to the irrationality contained within emotional reasoning. Type 1 will focus on working within their belief systems, valuing moral law and ethical fairness. Type 5 in contrast strives for an omniscient view of the problem, moving outside of the systems they are part of. Type 3 will do both but mainly wants to resolve chaos smoothly without impacting themselves or others opinions of them. Although efficiency is an effective problem-solving strategy, denying emotions can be detrimental. The advice for the Competency group is that feelings, though messy and irrational, are necessary part of reacting to problems. Dealing with them, instead of denying or repressing, not only provides cathartic experience but also increases our empathetic connection with others, bettering relationships with all people.  Emotional Realness - Types 4, 6, 8 Obstacles and problems evoke within us an emotional response, and it is the reaction that the Emotional Realness types will focus in on. They express their reactions openly and in doing so, look for emotional mirroring within others gaining knowledge of where others stand on issues. Type 8 openly expresses anger, often feeling energised by conflict. Type 4 takes a more withdrawn approach to their reaction, often in an artistic or symbolic form. Type 6 is more selective in its reaction, using the emotional release as a way of assessing people or situations. The Emotional Realness reaction is probably the least supported by the western world, which values rationality and emotional repression. This isn’t to say these types are not good. On the contrary, the Emotional Realness types are probably best at working through their emotions as well as those expressed by others. It is just a matter of not over doing it, of being aware of how venting your own frustrations can significantly impact others. After learning about the different triads present within the enneagram, what I found most interesting was the geometry. All the major triads when drawn onto the enneagram symbol, came up as similar triangles creating a symmetrical pattern. It seems to be more than a coincidence that a personality based model of humanity can produce such a mathematically sound pattern. This is why I believe the enneagram should be taken and applied not only to just personality, but also to other areas of our human existence.