Enneagram Type 5
The Observer
Observers believe they must protect themselves from a world that demands too much and gives too little. Consequently, Observers seek self-sufficiency and are non-demanding, analytic, thoughtful and unobtrusive; they also can be withholding, detached and overly private.
Type 5 on the Diagram
- Primary Center: Head
- Wings: 4 and 6
- Security point: 8
- Resource point: 7
Focus of Attention
Intellectual understanding, accumulating knowledge, and potential intrusions from others’ agendas, needs and feelings
Life Lesson
To reconnect to the vitality of your life force and your heartfelt feelings, realizing that ample energy and resources are available.
Speaking Style
Fives are content-focused, clear, analytical and wordy, but not big on “small talk.” Others may perceive Fives as emotionally disconnected, aloof, over-analytical and distant.
Psychology
With a focus on intellect and gathering knowledge, Fives are often scholars or technical experts with keen perception and analytical abilities. They need privacy and personal autonomy because they often experience other people as intrusive. Their detachment from others and from emotional pressure creates a sense of personal freedom, but also can lead to loneliness. Fives need to balance their tendency to withdraw or withhold by reaching out to others, even if this involves discomfort or conflict.
Basic Proposition
You can assure survival and gain protection from intrusion and insufficient resources through privacy, self-sufficiency, limiting desires and acquiring knowledge.
Strengths
Scholarly, perceptive, thoughtful, self-reliant, dependable, respectful, calm in crisis
Challenges
Detached, isolated, overly intellectual, withholding, hoarding
Defense Mechanism
Isolation – can be physical withdrawal from others, but also means staying in the head and withdrawing from one’s emotions
Fives use isolation to avoid experiencing inner emptiness and to maintain a self-image of being knowledgeable. Gathering information becomes a way to create safety and self-worth, yet overemphasizing the intellect prevents Fives from connecting with the life force in their bodies and the support available in relationship with others.
Awareness Practice
Observe your habit of mind or focus of attention with as little judgment as possible. Ask yourself the following questions, while noticing your feelings and how your body responds:
- In what ways do I react when I feel intruded upon?
- How do I maintain a sense of safety by erecting boundaries and limiting contact with others?
- How do I avoid emotions and stay in my head?
- When do I fall into analysis paralysis?
- How do I minimize my wants and desires?
- How am I withholding or stingy?
Relating to Fives
- Respect their need for privacy (understanding this is not rejection).
- Make it safe for them to share themselves, especially their feelings, giving them the space needed to do so.
- Approach them slowly and thoughtfully, and avoid pressuring them for immediate contact or fast decisions.
- Join them in talking about ideas and valuing the inner life.
- Don’t make assumptions about what’s going on with them. Ask them for direct communication.
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LEARN MORESpirituality
Type Five’s journey is to reconnect with feelings and move forward into life-giving energy. While everyone has concerns about the potential scarcity of emotional connection or supplies to sustain life and well being, this is the central issue for Observers. In reaction, Fives retract into the mind, detach from feelings and emotional claims, and conserve their energy by reducing needs and pursuing self-sufficiency. Their path of integration involves reversing this process. By expanding into feelings, experience and connection, more life energy naturally becomes available.
Path of Integration
Mental: Stinginess > Omniscience
Emotional: Avarice > Non-attachment
The aspect of awareness called the Inner Observer allows us to witness the internal patterns that drive outer behavior. The practice consists of focusing inwardly and becoming aware of the thoughts, sensations and other objects of attention that arise within us. As we become more fully present, our type patterns begin to relax and we become more receptive.
For Fives, take a moment to reflect on the following principles:
- Letting go of attachment relieves suffering.
- A rich life means embracing the full range of human experience.
- Being present and engaged with others expands our available resources.
- Generosity includes receiving as well as giving.
- Knowledge is more than gathering facts and ideas; true wisdom comes from within.
The Enneagram and Spirituality
LEARN MORESomatics
As thinking types, Fives seek to develop knowledge and expertise while protecting their privacy and autonomy. They tend to stay in their heads and avoid experiencing body sensations or feelings. Sensitive to sound, touch and intrusion, Fives hold tension mostly in the gut (instead of musculature).
If you are a Five…
Your task is to connect with your body and emotions. While we all unconsciously hold our breath to avoid scary or overwhelming feelings and sensations, as a chronic defensive strategy, it constricts your vitality and keeps you in your head. This may seem safe, but being in your body offers a new kind of security. Focus on slowly expanding your diaphragm and deepening your breath. You may feel uncomfortable or even anxious at first. But take it one breath at a time, learning to tolerate increased sensation. With continued practice you will access the abundant energy of your instincts, increase your capacity for pleasure and sensation, and make better contact with other people and the physical environment.
