Terminology You May Hear

Here are some terms that you may hear in conversations about the Enneagram or mental wellness on sites such as ours. We hope understanding this vocabulary helps you come closer to achieving a better life.

1. Types

This refers to one’s Enneagram number. When you know your “type” you begin to understand your basic defense strategies.

2. Wings

This refers to the numbers directly adjacent to your main Enneagram number. These wings influence your type, but all behaviors are motivated through the lens of your main type. We can use these interchangeably even though one wing may have more influence than the other.

3. Lines

Lines are where we go under stress and growth adding two more numbers to the mix. So far that’s five Enneagram numbers to keep track of as well as understanding how your main type interprets those numbers. We haven’t even added subtypes or Katherine Fauvre’s TriTypes to the conversation yet. This complexity is what makes Enneagram coaching so important in understanding your type. It helps you sift through the tall grass and get to the clearing.

4. Typing Session or Typing Interview

This is a common term that can leave a lot of people confused. Put simply, this is a session where we break down your Enneagram test scores and help you learn your main type. Tests are, at best, 80% accurate, and type descriptions are made for the general public. For the types, it’s not a one size fits all kind of deal. They all look a little different, but what makes them identifiable is the core motivations. Only by working with a certified coach, can you truly understand your main type through your motivations. Therapists understand the Enneagram, but it is only one small tool in a much larger toolbox they have. It’s a preventative and by the time most people go to therapy, it’s a reactive treatment making understanding your motivations a lower priority than fixing the presenting problem.

5. Shadow Self

Shadow Self is a term from Carl Jung that deals with the parts of a person’s personality he or she would rather hide from the world or ignore altogether. We at Shadow Mind also call these personality blind spots and it’s what we focus on. By ignoring these parts of us, we aren’t learning how to use them in a healthy manner. So when they do crop up, chaos inevitably ensues. By knowing what they are and what activates them, we can incorporate healthy defense strategies.