Enneagram Type 7
The Epicure
Epicures believe you must stay upbeat and keep your possibilities open to assure a good life. Consequently, Epicures seek pleasurable options, and are optimistic and adventurous; they also avoid pain, and can be uncommitted and self-serving.
Type 7 on the Diagram
- Primary Center: Head
- Wings: 6 and 8
- Security Point: 5
- Resource Point: 1
Focus of Attention
Multiple options and idealized future plans
Life Lesson
To reclaim and accept all of life, the pleasures and the pains, in the present moment
Speaking Style
Sevens are exuberant, fast-paced, spontaneous, analytical and idea-oriented. Others may perceive Sevens as quickly shifting topics, making excuses, self-absorbed and indifferent to others’ input.
Psychology
As movers and forward thinkers, Sevens usually are optimistic and positive with an interest in many topics and activities. They avoid limits and prioritize fun in travel, adventure and intellectual pursuits. They can be critical, frustrated or bored when reality doesn’t meet their idealized vision. Sevens find it challenging to focus in depth or to stay the course in work and relationships. Slowing down, being in the moment, and learning to tolerate their own and other people’s suffering can bring needed balance.
Basic Proposition
You can avoid pain and frustration by inventing options, opportunities and adventures.
Strengths
Adventurous, playful, imaginative, energetic, optimistic, quick-thinking
Challenges
Self-absorbed, dispersed, uncommitted, impatient, unrealistic
Defense Mechanism
Rationalization – staying in the head, or explaining away or justifying feelings and behaviors in order to avoid pain or accepting responsibility
Sevens use rationalization to avoid suffering and to maintain a self-image of being OK. They tend to see life through rose-colored glasses, reframing everything positively. Thinking of new options and possibilities allows Sevens to leave the present moment with its limitations and live in a seemingly boundless future.
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:
- How am I distracted by new and exciting ideas and activities?
- How do positive options and opportunities absorb my attention and energy?
- In what ways do I forget others’ feelings or needs?
- How do I respond to challenges or obstructions to my plans, ideas or actions?
- In what ways do I avoid distress, pain or negative feedback?
- How am I insatiable?
Relating to Sevens
- Join them in having fun and envisioning new possibilities.
- Appreciate their stories and positive ideas.
- Let them know what you want or need from them.
- Support them to move into painful situations and commitments.
- Listen to their suggestions and avoid insisting on one way of doing things.
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LEARN MORESpirituality
Type Seven’s journey is to welcome all of life as it exists in the present moment – fear, pain, sadness, boredom and limitation, as well as pleasure, joy, excitement and options. Their tasks are to simplify their lives, delay gratification, empathize more with others, and steady their attention in the here and now.
Path of Integration
Mental: Planning > Work
Emotional: Gluttony> Constancy
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 Sevens, take a moment to reflect on the following principles:
- Uncomfortable or “negative” emotions are an integral, valuable and unavoidable part of being human.
- Noticing hunger for stimulation and gratification is a reminder to return to the present.
- When we stay on the surface, we miss the depth of experience and pleasure.
- Feedback and criticism are opportunities for learning and growth.
- There is a difference between a real feeling and the idea of a feeling.
The Enneagram and Spirituality
LEARN MORESomatics
As mental types, Sevens’ energy and attention tend to go up into the head and out into the world. Physically loose and flexible, their body armor is less about muscular tension and more about patterns of avoidance as seen in the upper chest and shoulders. Sevens retreat from sad or painful feelings into their minds; their challenge is to stay grounded in their bodies.
If you are a Seven…
Your task is to balance your tendency to move up with turning inward and down into your body and feelings. Breathe into your belly, notice physical sensations in your lower body, and feel your feet on the ground. When you notice you have left your body for the pleasures (or worries) of the mind, practice dropping back down to your belly and feet. Although this may not feel like fun at first, it will become more pleasant over time as you open up a whole new realm of experience, focus priorities, feel your feelings, and develop your capacity for emotional intelligence.
