Enneagram Class 7

CLASS 7 FINAL

Struggling with 7's.  It's a conscious choice not to spend time with negative people.  Life is an adventure- like awareness practice.  It's good to see  egocentrickarmicconditioning/self-hate  is like being with a negative person. I keep watching to be free and enjoy my adventure. R/L

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Well stated! Egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate is EXACTLY like being with the world’s MOST negative person! It’s a non-person and it epitomizes negative. And, you’re right, without egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate we are free to enjoy our great Life adventure. Gassho

 

When my sister's son died at the age of 8, the pain was unbearable and I shut down. When my friend was diagnosed with ALS, I went into deep denial. After the denial, I feel guilty and keep doing things to help and appease self-hate that accompanies guilt. Gassho R/L

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Hopefully with awareness practice, Recording and Listening, and the assistance of the Mentor you’re learning how NOT to let self-hate be a controlling force that shuts you down, puts you in denial, and produces guilt. We can never “appease” self-hate. It’s an insatiable hungry ghost. The more we give it the more it wants, and what it wants is our attention/life force. Gassho

 

I relate most to the Seven desire to keep options open, and the fear that pursuing their aims with true devotion requires narrowing options.  Living in the present moment allows for all possibilities, including delightful surprises. R/L

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Exactly so! There’s the crucial insight—Life is way better than anything ego can come up with. PERIOD. Gassho

 

Egocentrickarmicconditioning/self-hate has been telling me I'm not a 7 and should be more like one as they are "fun". Ha!  So good to see that all the types are just different ways we are separated from authenticity. Reading "Closing down options is like being tapped"... an aha moment! Gassho R/L

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Yea! We were hoping the insight that “all the types are just different ways we are separated from authenticity” would be the takeaway from this email class. Very helpful to realize the voices of egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate, being focused on separating a human being from authenticity in order to get attention and siphon off life force, will yammer about anything that’s “wrong” and/or “not enough.” We’re learning to “pay them no mind.” (What a great phrase; never saw it like that before!) Gassho

 

Relating to seven's avoidance of confronting what's painful.  Very painful content right now and the allure of distraction... anything to pull attention away from pain of right here wins out sometimes... usually television or sweets.  Neither supports the human. Now seeing how turning to recorder is way more supportive. R/L

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YES! We have tools to assist us to choose Life rather than ego in painful times. There’s someone struggling with painful life circumstances, and the voices of self-hate offer sweets and television. Yikes, huh? When we turn to the Mentor, we’re given all the support, lovingkindness, wisdom, and understanding we need to make it through anything and come out the other side stronger and more compassionate. Grab that recorder and don’t turn loose. Oh, and, yes, stick with Sangha! Gassho

 

Avoiding what is painful keeps me in motion, not stopping to feel and digest the emotion.    This perpetuates illusion of separation in relationship, something wrong.   Compassionate communication with recorder softens the body, and contraction arises with other when other does not hear.  R/L

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Hmm…. I was right with you until the last piece of that last sentence. I think you’re seeing that avoidance is what’s keeping you in busyness, keeping you from what you’re feeling. That constant motion fosters a belief that there’s something wrong, and that belief keeps you separate in relationship—everywhere actually, but you recognize it’s happening in relationships. When you talk with the Mentor via Recording and Listening, you can feel the body softening—an indication that you’re HERE. And, you’re seeing that the tension returns—followed by a return to the get moving/feel separate/something wrong—when someone else doesn’t hear you? Yes? Maybe? I hope you’re realizing it does not matter if nobody ever hears you as long as you hear you. Yes. Truly. Gassho

 

I often get caught in seeking pleasant feelings or zoning out when given the opportunity to do something productive or that I longed to do. It is the falling asleep while meditating, because well, sleep is so nice. Beyond that though, it is looking for safety/ease as suggested by egocentrickarmicconditioning/self-hate.

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And it seems from what you’ve written that you’re on to it? Can’t really tell. Sleeping when meditating is not “so nice,” except for the ego maintenance system that will suck the life out of you as you sleep through meditation! Do you have an R/L practice? It would serve you well. It would go a long way toward stopping the victimization ego has you caught in. Gassho

 

Distraction! American culture says “do 3 things at once!”, yet I realize I'm not fully present in any of them. Encounter resistance to just doing 1 “boring” thing like dishes –egocentric karmicconditioning tells me I’ll never get everything done or I’ll miss out if I mindfully do one thing at a time.

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Have you heard the rumor that egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate lies? It’s actually true. It does. What it’s trying to get you to believe is that being present with the Intelligence that animates is boring. Being in the presence of God is boring. You’ll miss out on something if you’re “at one with all that is.” Hmm. I don’t think so, do you? Got an R/L practice? Get one and you will 1) never be bored again, and 2) realize that rather than missing out, presence is the way to “have it all.” Gassho

 

I remember when I started "living" a rich fantasy life to survive my environment. I see an opportunity to hold the hand of the little one that needed to hide/escape. And to come back to thisherenow. Thisherenow seems especially rich as I welcome in lost parts. R/L

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A word of encouragement: All we need is presence. Everything is embraced in thisherenow. No one is lost, left out, or needy. As we slip into the nonseparate reality that is thisherenow, we realize all that ever needed to happen was the removal of attention from the “I.” Gassho

 

See seven’s avoidance/aversion in constant planning for what to do next. Then the next thing is here and I don’t know how to be here for it. Also noticing the belief that life should be full of adventures, adventures that are always better some where else that the ones Here.  R/L

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What a scam, huh? The thing you said that will change the life of anyone who gets it is: “Then the next thing is here and I don’t know how to be here for it.” That’s it! That’s why practicing to be in thisherenow is the whole deal. We have sayings such as, “The way to guarantee a happy future is to have a happy present.” Same thing. If we can’t have it NOW, we will never have it. Simple as that. Great catch! Gassho

 

Wow.  So all this leaving the moment to "live in possibility" may be 7 Enneatype egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate....  I THOUGHT I was living in possibility (a good thing); but see I was leaving the moment to do so.  Hmm, what, then, is "living in possibility?" Gassho.  R/L

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Where would “living in possibility” happen if not in thisherenow? (Your koan should you choose to accept it.) Gassho

 

Avoidance/denial keeps ego so busy! There are a million things that "need" doing. "Doing" never relieves the tension. The avoided thing looms larger, stuck, and then over time recedes to the background. A regret that lingers. Fodder for egos beatings, forever! R/L

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Ego is an endless loop of beatings and suffering, isn’t it? It gives people the “thing to do” that will be the solution, and of course it isn’t! What’s left? Beatings and suffering. You’re seeing it. Seeing it, you will see where to put those “snips” in the loop. Have you heard of “karma nippers”? This is a job for karma nippers. You see the karma of avoiding come up, and you grab those nippers for a quick snip, snip. Cut it off. Karma nippers and recording devices go well together, and the Mentor is a premier karma nipper. Gassho

 

Notice competing with friends over who is having the most fun, a process that’s decidedly not fun! When identified, “fun” is really more of a distraction, perhaps fun but rarely satisfying. From presence, fun is both fun and satisfying, quelching any need for comparison. R/L

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Simple. Straighforward. Clear. Kind. Compassionate. Fun. Satisfying. You make a marvelous case for living in thisherenow. Thank you. Gassho

 

I've never looked here before.  I can't stand feeling low and habitually avoid those feelings. I'm learning to be present to them.   I'm pretty sure that snacking and seeking sugar is related to the avoidance strategy and scrolling internet news (although that doesn't always make me feel better!) Gassho R/L

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But those things make ego feel better! That’s the piece you’re catching on to. The voices of egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate start in with what will make you feel “low.” Then they tell you that you can’t feel that way; it’ll be horrible, unbearable in some unspecified way. Then a solution is offered. Have a snack; find some sugar to munch while you poke around on the internet. THAT is a program of unconsciousness, and ego thrives in human unconsciousness!  I was speaking with a neighbor a couple of doors up about “karma nippers.” You might choose to avail yourself of that suggestion. You’re seeing what’s going on, and you’re ready to employ them.  Gassho

 

Planning for that future trip/ experience is the reward for this "hard" life says egocentric karmicconditioning/self hate. Know that being present to this life is the reward. R/L

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That’s huge, isn’t it? Egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate is angling night and day to make perfectly fine lives miserable, then offers avoidance and distraction as the solution to the supposedly miserable life it’s orchestrating, then sucks the rest of the life force out of the hapless human via stories of disappointment and hopelessness. AND THERE’S NOTHING WRONG!!! As you’ve noted, being present to one’s life IS the reward. Throw in the joy and gratitude that IS presence, and we’re in a blissful trajectory over the moon! Well done! Gassho

 

The voices tell me to avoid sadness because it will lead to a bottomless pit of despair. The bamboozle is the loss compassion for myself and others and loss the rich, present moment. The conditioned behavior is to chase adventures, plan vacations and stay bright, sunny and kind of empty.

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More than “kind of” empty, would you say? There just isn’t any adventure or vacation or bright and sunny that will compensate us for the life we’ve been robbed of. I project what you’re seeing is a willingness to explore sadness.  What if this “thing” you’ve been threatened with all your life turns out to be a gift, a blessing, a way to connect with compassion for all beings? Now there’s a “what if” we want to get with, huh? Gassho

 

Tend to have very big dreams, get very excited about them, & think at times that I can achieve them.  (Wonder if this is a 7 subpersonality.)  The "reality" of events often disappoints --> low opinion of self (another sub).  Less identified with this in recent years, but still can be.  R/L

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It might be helpful to let go attempting to see processes as “people.” We can get caught up in a process such as “big dreams,” which, under the direction of egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate, will distract us from the present. That process is followed by another process in which the big dreams don’t come to the fruition ego had promised. This is followed by a process of disappointment as ego most likely blames the human being for 1) getting caught up in pipe dreams, and 2) being the failure that couldn’t make it happen. Something like that. Seeing those as conditioned processes rather than “people” (subpersonalities) “doing” those things can assist in streamlining the stepping back (disidentification) process. See what I mean?  Gassho

 

Distraction is huge to conditioning. I’m supposed to believe that life is so awful that I need to distract from it. But don’t worry, says ego, because it’ll be great in the future when I get what “I want.” What do “I” want? Anything, as long as it’s not now. R/L

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Would it be safe to say you have seen through the con? That’s so powerful! All ego wants is an imaginary future in which it can appear to exist. Anything other than the present, where it most assuredly does NOT exist. As we know the cure for all stories of “life is so awful” is regular doses of gratitude! Well done! Gassho

 

Resentment process. Reaction from an identified place/ Anger. 7 shows up as a way to distract from the pain, never wanting to check the reality. Through R/L was able to accept/ validate the victim. Relief. Seperately 7 shows up when ordinary tasks are involved/wants to postpone them. Not exciting. R/L

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And you’re seeing that what’s NOT exciting is ego, yes? Ego wants suffering, the more the better! What’s going to cause suffering? Listen to and believe stories of resentment, anger, disappointment; never check anything out; avoid the person and the situation; distract, feel bad, believe guilt, should, shouldn’t, can’t stories; and ABOVE ALL, never be present for any wisdom and guidance from Life. Thank goodness for R/L and the Mentor! Great job. Gassho

 

Relate to fear of missing-out/loosing options and discomfort arising when I face dark emotions and ego piles on top fears about what these emotions mean about life. Class is helping w/shift from what I need to fix about ME, to many kinds of karma I can choose to drop moment-by-moment.

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That’s great!  Yes to dropping the belief that you’re the problem that needs to be fixed and seeing the moment-by-moment opportunities to drop karma. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the Mentor and R/L will assist you in ways you cannot currently imagine. Gassho

 

5 and 7 in a karmic energy dance: Swept up into hyperactivity when 7 in control of the calendar--participating in everything possible with no down time. Exhausted and overwhelmed, 5 grabs the calendar and retreats into isolation. Wow--this dance has gone on my entire life! R/L Gassho

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AND NOW YOU SEE IT! Isn’t that marvelous? Now you have choice. Now you can use the tools awareness practice provides to free the human being. Oh, happy day! Oh, happy blessed day! (Visit your neighbors right beneath you who are having similar insights, please.) Gassho

 

Distraction promises excitement, color, vibrancy. When identified, I'm told presence is "boring." I'm seeing the irony that when I'm actually in presence, my experience is of a richness, aliveness, and a flow of energy. The distraction, on the other hand, is a static program that always ends in suffering. R/L

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We need drum rolls and crashing cymbals for these kinds of insights! We are in a “vortex of insight” here! It’s so fun when a bunch of similar “lit up with awarenesses” responses come in together. It’s as if we hit some sort of tipping point. Let’s celebrate, shall we? I’m going to make a “call and response” THANK YOU recording, employing as many languages and using as many variations in emphasis as I can manage. Perhaps those of you enjoying such clarity will call Project Joy or Open Air and tell us about your celebrations?  Gassho

 

See much attention on pleasant future options like upcoming vacation. “Can have fun then--,” indicating I’m not having fun now! Focus on future ignores human suffering now, subjected to “low grade” suffering that had become normal, background, unnoticed. No longer! Urge to escape now recognized as signal I’m identified. R/L

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Well done! You have officially joined your neighbors in the “insight vortex.” Those are insights such as “see what egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate is doing, committing not to fall for the bamboozle any more, going to use ‘urge to escape’ as a signal I’m identified—that will bring me back to center.” I added that last piece but I’m sure you agree! Gassho

 

Strong 7, similar process to 3-Achiever: thoughts drift towards ideal futures and expectation to achieve vision. Notice vision changes frequently. When feeling sad/confused/frustrated turn to, “How can I fix this?” or “What am I gaining from this?” Know I think highly of myself, but difficult to see unfounded entitlement.

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Possibly, the clearest example for all of us of “unfounded entitlement” is the assumption that we should have the life we want, the assumption that our life should be different from the way it is when we’re not getting what we want. I’m going to project we have similar lives, and if that’s the case we are among a very small percentage of the world population living such lives of privilege. Do we often question that privilege? Most people don’t. Most privileged people just complain about the few small things that don’t go the way they want. Know what I mean? Gassho

 

Contemplating 7 brought tears, especially idea of power in negative states of mind because egocentrickarmicconditioning/self-hate works so hard to keep them at bay. Stimulation-seeking, focusing on strengths and discounting flaws, blind to other’s pain, etc., are daily experience. Aspire to adventure, possibility, and fun but experience is often hollow. R/L

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Are you sensing the tears are coming from relief at the possibility of not being subjected to egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate’s manipulative machinations? Were you seeing a possibility that you could have a life of adventure, possibility, and fun from center? If that’s the case, you’re absolutely correct. That life is ours to have as soon as we bring attention back from ego and give attention to Life. That’s where awareness practice comes in, yes? Gassho

 

I see 7 where I am a "joiner". Particularly with fitness activities, I can't "just do it." I "have to" tread about it, study it, sign up for teacher trainings, and immerse myself. It lasts several years then on to the next. Never saw it before. Gassho.

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Helpful to see, isn’t it? Now please don’t let egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate turn that into a “something wrong with you that needs fixing.” If you do, you’ll have to go through the process you described for several years, and you really don’t need to do that! Just enjoy the insight and remember you don’t need to let ego behaviors control you. An excellent way to be able to remember these insights (the only one that doesn’t drag you around until you get another chance to see it at god knows what future date) is Recording and Listening. Do yourself an enormous favor and start that practice, please.  Gassho

 

The busy enthusiast paints over loneliness and being without “the expectation of an all fulfilling mate”.  Coping for lack of self-love and negative voices with business and escape.  Avoid the beauty of the here and now with “shadow comforts” and addiction to stuff the void. R/L

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It sounds as if that’s something you used to do a lot of and now not so much? Seeing all those beliefs and behaviors as part of one “syndrome” is immensely helpful. When you see any of them—busy, enthusiastic (in a rather manic way?), expectation, escape, shadow comforts and addiction to stuff—they can become signals to get attention on thisherenow. Looking for love and a lack of hateful voices in Presence seals the deal. Gassho

 

Seeing that I can be a 7 by a) fleeing negative emotions through activity: cleaning, worrying that I’m not “doing” something at the moment, escaping to drinking alcohol b) stuck in cycle of wanting to start side business but can’t execute on one idea, get distracted by voices of better idea

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Sounds mighty 7-ish, doesn’t it? I bet by now you’re anticipating this question, but I have to ask it anyway: Do you have a Recording and Listening practice? I PROMISE you that having 24/7 access to wisdom, love, and compassion via the Mentor will end all those suffering places. Not a single one of those issues is insurmountable, and certainly not worth giving a perfectly fine life for. Give it a go? Gassho

 

Seven seems to be the enneagram that I relate to the least. Interesting to see this: that as a six, seven traits seem somewhat scary.  Fearful of that "out of control" ness. More to see here! Perhaps that is it, that fleeing from, that I am sensing? R/L

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Good place to look! What’s there right before that message of “too scary/out of control” takes over? When we’re paying close attention in that way, we can see the impulse from Life that’s followed in a fraction of a second by ego’s “NO!” It may not yell the “no,” but the message is clear. Gassho

 

I employ distraction through busyness, multi-tasking, reading, tv watching, afraid of being stuck alone with ego and unpleasant emotions. Husband claims I have a decade-at-a-glance calendar, another way out of the present moment in favor of an alternative future. Mentor: Let’s try the adventure of exploring here and now. R/L.

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No kidding! Great encouragement from the Mentor—as always. Attempting to avoid ego and unpleasant emotions by engaging in mindless distracting activity is like attempting to get rid of blackmailers by giving them money! Those behaviors give ego a clear signal that, “This one is onboard, fully with us.” To make it worse, every moment we spend “feeding” egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate weakens us and strengthens it. So, yes, time to get with the Mentor and start building your choosing-freedom muscles.  Gassho

 

After years of escapism, I now rarely read fiction or watch TV/movies.  I still seek novelty in day to day life, need distraction to not be alone with ego.  Eventually I run out of distraction and ego starts tearing me down. I turn to doing to shut it up.

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First, please read what I just wrote to your neighbor. Trying to get away from ego is a really, really bad plan. Second, if you want to get to the other side of this, PLEASE, develop a Recording and Listening practice, including a relationship with the Mentor. I PROMISE that if you do you will no longer choose distraction, ego will no longer be able to “tear you down,” and you will not need to turn to “doing” to shut it up. Feeding ego is never going to make it go away! Gassho

 

I relate to cramming in as many experiences as possible. Egocentrickarmicconditioningselfhate again takes a human capacity (for adventure) and builds separateness. Distraction/planning essentially run most meditation sessions. It feels more anxious than exciting, but perhaps it's the same duality. Grateful to see that avoiding confrontation of what's painful prevents compassion. R/L

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That is good to see, isn’t it? Now you get to question that premise. How do you know that what’s being avoided is so painful it would overshadow compassion? (I can promise you it isn’t.) You have to find out for yourself, don’t you? Here’s a suggestion: Explore what has been designated “too painful” from compassion. First, go to compassion, then bring in the “what’s painful.” Next suggestion: Watch to see if what’s painful is an experience or a story. With me? Gassho

 

Seeing how ego clings to multi-tasking and distractions.  In Presence, there is acceptance and gratitude.  In conditioned mind, there is that belief about even bad things being good and I see it’s a set-up.  Looking to Life I am filled with encouragement and the unconditional, friendly and unafraid.  R/L

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We are reading a lot about “multitasking” as one of egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate’s favorite scams. Why would that be such a favorite with ego when scientific types who study such things say multitasking doesn’t work, isn’t possible. The very simple answer is that it’s a favorite with ego because it doesn’t work. It’s not supposed to “work;” it’s meant to make people urgent and inattentive—and it does that! So, yes, ego will cling to all things that feed it and our job is to cut it off. Quite simple and straightforward really.   Gassho

 

Seeing how the restless “Zest for life” was an a way of blocking discomfort, but it kept me on the run, leading to anxiety and depression. The belief: “You can’t handle the darker emotions”.  Fact: In connection with Life: I’m adequate to the spectrum of emotions and life. R/L

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Yes! What emotions are darker than anxiety and depression!? When we are HERE, present with what Life is actually unfolding, we find we are perfectly adequate to everything that actually IS. What we’re not equal to is ego’s imaginary world of “everything that could go wrong will go wrong all at once.” No one could be adequate to that, and no one needs to be because it’s imaginary. Well done! Gassho

 

Fleeing from anger, fear, boredom, I often reach for a book or social media. I am looking for something inspiring, something to uplift. Actually, egocentrickarmicconditioning/self hate is looking to distract me from what is. From this moment, where everything is possible. R/L

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You got it! Egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate is ALWAYS looking to distract us from what IS. It wants people in that faux “reality” of “Oh, no, you’re going to feel something you can’t stand; come with me into a world of unconscious distraction from which I can suck the life force out of you and you won’t notice.” We get into THIS moment, thisherenow, and all is possible, and we are equal to what Life gives us. Gassho

 

We are all types dropped in when I strongly identify with 7. Practice showed me the way through negative emotions and opening for compassion for this human. Now I want to help training for presence that's where pleasure and adventure resides. R/L

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Which argues for saying YES, doesn’t it? Once you choose to be in compassion, for “this” and all beings, the way is clear to receive all the pleasure and adventure Life offers. Keep up the good work, and, should you choose, “pick up the pace.” Gassho

 

Ego definitely avoids darker emotions. This seems to manifest primarily in intellectual pursuits (like a 5) but I can also see how my kayaking/ language learning/ salsa dancing/ traveling arose in part out of the ego's 7-like grasping for external salvation! Nonetheless, thanks to practice, this being experienced life!

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Excellent! There’s nothing unavailable to us with presence, is there? We can enjoy any activities we choose from center! I think this is your point: First embrace what egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate calls “darker emotions,” so the human being is freed from fear, and then, VOILA! JOY! Gassho

 

Today I feel excited about EVERYTHING! I want to do it all! And I could--I'm good at it. Where to begin?? What does this excitement mean I should do?! Rats--now that feeling's gone--I didn't get around to anything. Aware I should remove the "should" from the process. R/L

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Uh huh, and what we’ve been enjoying via Project Joy is asking Life, “what now?” not “what’s next.” That takes us out of the moment. “What does this excitement mean I should do?” is a very quick trip out of excitement, isn’t it? You saw it! That’s how ego siphons off the energy. Now what you get to practice is keeping attention on the excitement as you allow awareness to expand so when Life drops in the answer to “what now?” you’re there to receive it. Got it? Excellent! Gassho

 

Nothing about this sounded like me, but is exactly like a good friend.  Then I realized it used to be me, and I moved so far into planning activities to distract myself, that all that's left are the activities. I'll replace activities with being present. R/L

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Paying attention is SO rewarding, isn’t it? Good to realize we can have both presence and activities. In the pseudo reality of egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate, we must always “decide” between two sides of a duality. Active OR sitting at home “being present.” Not at all. We can be present in each moment, fully engaged with Life. Way more fun, huh? Gassho

 

CLASS 7 BATCH 6 added to 5

I see a pattern of substances used to avoid anger, sadness, depression and also a pattern of not seeing others pain, but instead wanting to distract them or fix the negative state.  Compassion working with 'negative' emotions - mine and others -is a practice that is relatively new for me. R/L

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I appreciate the quotes around ‘negative.’ We’ve been heavily conditioned to believe there are positive and negative emotions, keeping in mind that everything in the dualistic world of egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate is presented as opposites. We’re supposed to chase the positives and avoid the negatives at any cost. But what are we really talking about here? When we look closely at what “emotions” are, we can only find sensations in the body and stories in the head about the sensations. That’s it. What’s the huge advantage to realizing this? As soon as we stop believing the sensations in the body are dangerous, and stop being afraid of what the voices in the head are going on about, we don’t need to be afraid of anything labeled “negative” emotions. What a deal, huh? A practice well worth pursuing! Gassho

 

I see times when I have a lot to do in my project that I avoid with TV or reading something interesting. I have also difficulty for finish projects and I jump from one to another -the next one is really great-. Same for relations. R/L

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I sense you’re seeing that this egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate bamboozle is not serving you. True? And you’re taking steps to turn that around? The Mentor is assisting? Gassho

 

7 is hidden ego-identity. Secretly hold a high opinion of self, no flaws, don’t recognize “my” pain let alone others’. Definitely can use alcohol to defend against/distract from negative emotions, leading to depression. When ask, “is that true?” and/or “who says so?” I open to Life’s compassion for all. R/L

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Very good! We have to be open to seeing what’s going on if we’re going to have a hope of having the life we choose. If we don’t ever question what egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate is doing to us, if we just assume what it’s saying is true, we’re stuck and stymied. As soon as we step back to question the authority of that voice in the head, we’re able to move into the compassion that let’s us end all fear. It’s a practice, isn’t it? And so worth it!  Gassho

 

7: Could so relate to avoiding what is painful. The outfall of this identification is a harsh attitude towards others of "get over it."  The only getting over it is facing it. In the facing of it I soften and find compassion. R/L

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Beautiful! You’ve articulated that process so succinctly and, for anyone open to the possibility, so encouragingly. We don’t want to be harsh and cruel. Ego certainly is fine with that, but that’s not what we want. Proving that to ourselves is such a giant step toward the freedom from ego suffering we long for. Gassho

 

I am definitely afraid of dark/ negative emotions. Scared they will swallow me whole. Use physical activity/exersice to keep them at bay. The words "feel panic" keep arising in this class whenever I see a process and consider looking closer. I am seeing that it is egocentric karmic conditioning/self hate's MO.

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Yes! Do you have a Recording and Listening practice? Please start one if not. When we see that we’re being gripped in an orientation to Life that we don’t choose, we get the courage to go up against the bully in the head. That’s the encouragement to engage with the Mentor and R/L. We need all the support we can get when we take on the bully—and the Mentor is the bully-buster par excellence!  Gassho

 

Our fun vacation was threaten yesterday and Ego attacked. So many issues to focus on. Tears turned attention to fears and stories dropped. Fun is available again today and going with flow. So grateful and upping practice. R/L

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Yea! That’s how it happens. We do the practice. We pay attention and see how life works. We realize egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate is not our friend, that the voices lie, that there’s nothing to fear, and we start making different choices. When we reach that point in practice, when gratitude and having fun become our experience, we’re ready to “up” our practice. Practice works and, wanting our lives to work, we choose practice. Very good! Gassho

 

Turning away from "unpleasantness"  distracts me from the gift of that moment. When I am there for it, each moment is a gift, even the unpleasant ones. Gassho R/L

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And when we realize each moment is a gift, we realize there are no unpleasant moments, true? We see things that we wish were different, and we can contribute to making the changes we’d like to see happen for the world, while realizing that each moment brings us the opportunity to choose compassion and lovingkindness. Knowing we have that opportunity and can make that choice truly is a gift, isn’t it? Gassho

 

I saw awareness collapse completely into watching a movie - the body was gone! 7 is primary programming for this human, and I had never noticed this. I'm watching how energy is in the body when engaged in social media and other distractions. R/L

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Great point. We’re either giving and receiving energy with Life, or we’re having it siphoned off by egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate. There aren’t other choices. Again, it’s not that a person can’t be present while watching a movie—though it does require practice! Gassho

 

Egocentrickarmicconditioning/self-hate's belief that something better awaits = "when I finish 'THIS', I can enjoy life". Seeking pleasure/distraction is not essential concern; prefer being around positive/optimistic folks practicing "focus of attention determines life experience". Ego's positive future fantasies are old/fading habit. Now dropping stories for joy in present moment/THN. Gassho/R/L.

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It’s just simply a better, happier way to live, isn’t it? It’s not that we’re bad people for getting snookered by ego’s bamboozles, it’s just that realizing the empty promises for what they are, we choose something better. Once we know the truth of “the quality of our life is determined by the focus of our attention,” we know we want attention on Life in thisherenow. Simple. Thank you for that. Gassho

 

While looking for 7 qualities, I saw a version of entitlement as "this is tough. I shouldn't have to deal with this." It took me quickly into conversation with egocentrickarmicconditioning about what is wrong with everything, especially me. Noticing tightness in my body brought me back to Life. Gassho. R/L

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Ooohhhh, good to see. You make a great case for being present. If you didn’t have a practice of paying attention to everything in thisherenow, you’d have missed that conversation and been plunged into suffering. But you know how to be HERE. So you caught it, saw it, didn’t fall for it, and used what ego has used to hook you as a signal to come to presence. Well done! Gassho

 

Having had experiences of depression in the past, I feel fear when or avoid having nothing fun planned.  It's something I've noticed gradually and learned to be okay to do nothing. That depression won't swallow me up when I'm not busy or excited about something. 

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You’re describing a classic egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate bamboozle. Talk a person into depression, make a person afraid of depression, promise a way to avoid depression, and then control a person’s every behavior via holding the threat of depression over a person’s head. Those are not our only choices! We don’t need to let egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate hold the #1 position in our lives. Have you read our Depression Book? If you have, you will know I have serious experience with depression, AND I will promise you a Recording and Listening practice is the way out. Do that practice and you will never fear depression again.   Gassho

 

Avoiding what’s painful shows up as ignoring “uncomfortable” body sensations by staying in motion. Ignoring takes me into my head, creates hardness toward myself and in my body. Hardness is projected outward. It’s impossible to see other’s suffering when avoiding my own. Just pausing with that awareness softens the hardness. R/L

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It’s an aaahhh moment, isn’t it, that “being with.” We cannot feel compassion or lovingkindness for others if we’re braced against it in ourselves. This is a case of failure to re-examine the original premise. We learn long ago to “ignore the uncomfortable,” and wind up in a place of “misery” trying to avoid “uncomfortable.” Not a good trade off!  Looks like it’s time to re-look uncomfortable, yes? Gassho

 

My usual pattern when thinking of something exciting to do is to begin hearing:  "you shouldn't", "you can't", and/or "it's dangerous".  Then comes,  "you'd really rather do something else like stay home and watch TV where it's safe and comfortable. R/L

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So 7 has a short run in your household? Perhaps you’re considering “fostering” the 7 energy once in a while? There’s a balance between being a hyper-thrill-seeker, which ego would call doing something new and exciting—and being a housebound couch potato—which ego would like you to be. We want to be available for the exciting life Life offers, yes? Gassho

 

 Dominant thinking about what to do that's fun with focus on the activity instead of being present. A reminder is I only want presence. A voice says you will die before you do that so you better do it now. Wanting that fun becomes suffering. Gassho R/L

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So, you only want presence, and an ego voice threatens you with “missing out”? (I just learned that’s a “thing,” FOMO, fear of missing out. Did everyone else know that?) As soon as you are 100% convinced that you’re never going to have more fun doing anything than you have being present, that fear will evaporate. “But you’ll miss out!” You just smile and move on. Gassho

 

Perfectionist at work, feel resentful, inpatient and intolerant  with supervisors. Management is self serving. My compassion minimally existent. Feel anxiety. Need more mentor R/L  on anger.  See acceptance: Work world is different. Judging doesn't work especially when it comes from egocentrickarmicconditioning /self-hate, being kind does. Gassho. R/L

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How are the characteristics of the Enneatype 7 showing up at work? Gassho

 

Currently watching distraction/avoidance have stronghold on human. Egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate does NOT want me to transcend this suffering habit. The”perceived negative experience” painted by ego leaves me falling for avoidance/distraction/multi-tasking, leaving energy low. See it, yet still choosing the karma. NO BEATINGS! Instead, R/L awarenesses, make small/doable goal & keep. R/L

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Well, of course it’s up to you. I hope you’ll read the Musings article that will come out ere long. Ceasing to indulge the beatings is not meant as permission to continue to indulge ego. The assumption, because you speak as if “you” and ego are different entities, is that the “you” speaking is not ego. It is ego. And what’s paying the price is the human being who has no voice, who lives in the low energy that results from distraction dissipation, and who must settle for a life that would never be chosen from center. It can sound as if we’re making conscious choices, when the odds are very good we are not. This might be a good time to try on one of those “values clarifications” questions: On your deathbed, are you going to be happy with the way you’ve spent your life? Gassho

 

"difficulty acknowledging other perople's pain" resonated. That's how ego feels. Recently I heard my mouth say "how can they make such a drama over their Grandma's death! She was old!". No wonder people don't come to me when they are sad. Recording over & over that it's not me.

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Excellent! Record that and listen all the time, yes? You’re seeing that your life has been hijacked by a force you don’t even approve of or like! That’s a powerful insight. Don’t let those same voices use such clarifying insights against you. You’re right, egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate is NOT you. Gassho

 

My identification with Seven is mostly on the positive side, the enthusiasm for things that light me up, having a sense of humor, especially not taking conditioning seriously, and engaging people in conversation without reservation.  R/L

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So, you’re not seeing any of the more “challenging” aspects of the 7 Enneatype? That is a rather 7-ish approach, isn’t it, to only see the “positive” side? Gassho

 

Planning for the future from an urgent conditioned place feels much different than following Life's guidance to attend to different aspects of a future plan as it drops in. There is no need with Life for a specific outcome, each moment is enough. Gassho. R/L

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True. It sounds as if you have experience with “planning for the future from an urgent conditioned place.” Has that karma disappeared, become subtler, moved to different areas of your life? No more urgency? Gassho

 

 “Someday I’ll act on knowledge, skills I’ve developed and be freed from suffering.”  That’s how conditioning gets me to believe it’s okay to indulge unhealthy behavior, to postpone spiritual practice.  Trading thisherenow (out of fear of deprivation?) for promise of satisfaction in future never equals freedom. No more! Gassho R/L

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Oh, so very wise! That’s the bamboozle—trade the wellbeing of thisherenow for a promise of wellbeing in the future, a future that, of course, never seems to arrive! We could replace “wellbeing” with any number of qualities such as joy, fun, pleasure, excitement, satisfaction, fulfillment, etc., and the sentence would be equally valid. Everything we want is right here, right now, in this, and there’s no such thing as future! Gassho

 

Seeing that working on a project, I am almost always projecting into the future.  I'm curious to see what my experience is if I do the work but with more attention on the present.  R/L

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Buckle your seat belt! If you want to be transported to a world egocentric karmic conditioning/ self-hate can’t imagine and wouldn’t want to, bring ALL attention to the present. Gassho

 

Planner, don’t want to close options, (neither focused on adventure.)  Fantasizing often assists in choosing next best step (w/ pausing to feel Life).  Girlfriend is 7, with strong influences from other types.  We’ve been struggling - class suggesting bail (to conditioning?)  Fear-”bailing” theme?  (imaginary future)  R/L

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A few fewer options in what you wrote just might give me a clue as to what you’re saying!

Being truly unsure, I’ll just go with my favorite picture of the 7’s struggle with being unable to close options. The person is at a roundabout with 6-8 roads leading in different directions. Unable to close any options, the person has to just keep driving around the circle. “Planning” for all options can start to feel like the 6’s struggle with analysis-paralysis, can’t it? Gassho

 

Recognize 7’s avoiding confronting ”negative” emotions. Ego-I says, ”I’m fine.” Then says to me, “If not, you should be. All right/good people are fine.” Projected out it has trouble with other’s ”negative” emotions. Doesn’t want to hear them, wants to fix them. I choose loving/ compassionately trusting Life, to explore them. R/L

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Owning these projections is immensely helpful, isn’t it? When identified with egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate, we assume everyone is like us—or should be! Someone is “negative” and they’ve got to be helped out of that. But they might not experience where they are as negative. They might just be going though something important for them to go through exactly like we do. Lovingly, compassionately trusting Life does seem like the way to go, doesn’t it? Gassho

 

Because of practice I am learning to respond enthusiastically (I identify most with type 6) and openly to what Life offers. I am not averse to experiencing difficult emotions; however, escaping into fantasy has been a pattern in the past and sometimes still beckons. R/L

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Very good! We see these tendencies (hopefully a class like this makes the attitudes, beliefs, behaviors more observable), and we can now recognize them as they become subtler and/or show up in different places and times. This is the way we free ourselves from suffering with egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate. Ego of course wants us to “be finished with” old ego hooks, but that’s designed to lull us into unconsciousness so when the hook bites in again we won’t have seen it coming. Solid practicing! Gassho

 

I've seen how there will be enthusiasm for travel or learning. Then the conditioned move out of enthusiasm and into the distraction of being in conversation: is that possible and if so, is it really worth it. Mentor says, "enthusiasm is great, let's just stay with that!" R/L Gassho

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More enthusiasm, less noodling. More HERE, less gone. That Mentor is a treasure, yes? Gassho

 

This type is farthest from my own experience, as I gravitate toward, not away from difficult emotions, mine and others', and experience frequent "poignancy attacks." However, I do plan for the future, get distracted, and react addictively to sensory pleasures. So 7 is confusing to me.

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No, 7 is not confusing to you. Conditioned mind is confusing to you, as it is to all of us! W e keep in mind we’re bringing awareness to this particular subject simply as a way of stepping back from egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate and getting another clearer view of what that suffering system is able to do to us and how it does that. We’re not figuring anything out, not learning anything, we’re not going to know anything when we’re finished—we’re just bringing conscious awareness to various beliefs, assumptions, and behaviors that we’re conditioned to let ego pull us into suffering over. That’s what you’re doing, and you’re doing a fine job of it. Don’t let the voices tell you different! Gassho

 

Definitely have difficulties with others' negative emotions. Intellectually know that using projection, the emotion is difficult in myself and need to not flee but stay and observe. Ego is putting up veil - I keep practicing so I can see exactly where I need to bring compassion to this human. R/L

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There we are! That’s all we’re doing. We’re practicing. Just paying attention. Seeing everything we can see. Having difficulty is just having difficulty, isn’t it? Probably no one ever died of having difficulty—especially with other people’s negative emotions! The negativity that resides inside our own head and generates the “negative emotions” can be deadly—if the process is not seen and seen through. Taking “negativity” out of ego’s ability to use and manipulate is a huge step toward freedom for the human being. Well done!  Gassho

 

Distraction is something the voices tell me I "deserve" after a hard day. I read or watch TV to zone out - not daily but at least weekly. I also sleep to avoid wallowing when I start beating myself up. I fear falling into a spiral of worry - I avoid it.

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First, “you” don’t beat up “yourself.” The voices of self-hate beat you. I bet you can see that avoidance is not nearly as good a life plan as is freedom from fear and worry. True? So, it’s not that it’s wrong to use distraction to go unconscious—there’s nothing wrong, period—it’s that going unconscious is a suffering place for a human being to be. Practicing awareness gives us the tools we need to take refuge in thisherenow. If you want to move along that path to the refuge of thisherenow, I suggest a Recording and Listening practice. The Mentor is excellent company, far more entertaining than zoning out with anything! Gassho

 

I thought fantasy and planning were the way I avoided  self-hating voices but maybe I am escaping authentic pain. I know I stuff feelings with food. Recording and Listening is a Practice tool  but wonder if I have been using it to try to escape feelings rather than for awareness.  R/L

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Those are excellent places to be looking! Egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate will use anything to further its aim of siphoning off human life force. Fantasy and planning as a way to avoid self-hate is a lot like using gasoline to put out a fire. Is there authentic pain involved? That’s actually doubtful. “Authentic pain” is readily embraced in presence and isn’t anything we want to avoid once we choose to end a human being’s suffering. “Escaping feelings” is one of ego’s favorite dodges. What does it even mean? What are feelings? You have sensations in the body and stories in the head. Drop the stories, be with the sensations, and problems dissolve. The Mentor can assist, but we must avail ourselves of the Mentor’s wisdom. Gassho

 

 

I see how I try to avoid negative emotions by planning/keeping busy. I also see how that results in anxiety/depression when I don't allow myself to feel. When I practiced R/L or meditation when the negative emotions arose, they passed through and often led to greater connection, too. R/L

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That’s the “secret” to practicing awareness—we realize it’s the way to end the suffering and have the life we’ve always known is possible. How do we know we’ve always known what’s possible? We were always dissatisfied with the life we had. We learned early on to trade authenticity for calculating what will let “me” survive. When we become aware that our ego survival strategies are killing us, we begin to “remember” what we left to follow ego’s hollow promises. Life is right here to assist us in our homecoming.  Gassho

 

Ah, yes, a tendency to imagine the bright future would take focus off the rich present. Yes, compulsively pursuing pleasure and avoiding (anyone’s) pain would stand in the way of compassion. Yes, yes, yes. Finally seeing ego’s tendencies in the light of Life rather than ego’s propaganda.

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That “new view” is very helpful, isn’t it? When we get it that no matter how cheery the tale ego is telling, it’s still a tale, we start to wonder what we’re missing. If we are fortunate enough to get even a glimpse of how rich the present is, well, we know which option we’re going to choose. Gassho

 

Same pattern as recent assignments: attention goes to someone else and how they embody enneatype, then to how I used to embody the enneatype.  As I keep watching over days, I see how egocentrikarmicconditioning/selfhate uses the framework in the moment.  For 7: finding the perfect “treats” for my “rest” periods.  R/L

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THAT IS A HUGE INSIGHT! The ego strategy you describe is being used to fool folks all the time. The longer people have been “practicing,” the more vulnerable we are. “Oh, yes, X is really like that and, sure, I used to be.” We can see and hear those hands whoosh past one another as they brush off the whole danger of seeing what’s true NOW. I’m actually projecting on X and I’m actually “doing” that behavior right now as I’m projecting! Truly powerful insight, which I hope we all take very much to heart. Gassho

 

When my illusion of having control (over that which I don’t) fails I indulge in distraction; part of my family with grandchildren moves away and I am bereaved.  Instead of grieving, I purchase a large piece of property that needs a lot of attention.  Results in anxiety, lack of presence/ feelings. R/L

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I hope realizing the presence that brings such clarity removes the anxiety. You’re seeing it. That’s the giant step toward letting go ego’s control over us. You’re right that control is a big part of this—it’s how ego controls a human being. Seeing that, we can move in a different direction—HERE. You may keep the property or not; you may decide it has served its purpose and let it go, or you may keep it and give attention to participation with it because you choose to. It has already served you well as a workshop in expanding awareness. Gassho

 

Noticing that being in the seven space feels like fun until I pause and feel the sensations and hear the stories driving the chaotic movement.  What a bamboozle!  Fun is being right here now.  R/L Gassho

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Yep. Presence is waaaaaaaay more fun than being dragged around by egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate. What a blessing to have a practice that enables us to pause, huh? Gassho

 

This anti-Seven's ego-driven process is to favor safe/understimulating over risky/ overstimulating. The perceived costs (energy, stress) of planning and participating in big experiences far outweigh the benefits. Ego sets human up by castigating in the moment: Quick! Experience this! such that I'm 'in my head' and miss it completely.

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Well stated. We’re not going for one side to the other side of the duality, are we? The choice is not between safe/understimulating and risky/overstimulating. The choice we have is to be HERE, present in thisherenow. Out of the head and into the moment is the movement we’re seeking. Gassho

 

“Afraid of negative states of mind” really resonates. Over and over, ego pushes overeating, drinking, TV, etc. as coping mechanisms, then beats me for “indulging in distractions.” Aha! The REAL indulgence is listening to ego’s endless nattering about my life! THAT distracts me from Life itself! R/L

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There’s nothing to do with what you wrote except: “Afraid of negative states of mind” really resonates. Over and over, ego pushes overeating, drinking, TV, etc. as coping mechanisms, then beats me for “indulging in distractions.” Aha! The REAL indulgence is listening to ego’s endless nattering about my life! THAT distracts me from Life itself! R/L

Gassho

 

It's fun to look at art. Ego is reluctant to let human make art. Ego is afraid to commit because it might be too much work, mess, etc. Mentor says, "Things don't always have to be easy and fun to have a great experience." R/L

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Wise Mentor. Good to keep in mind that the only point ever for egocentric karmic conditioning/ self-hate is get attention. You like art? Well then a push/pull between “want to” and “can’t” will net a fine amount of attention/suffering. If you happen to wonder why you shouldn’t be allowed to do something you want to do, there’s a ready “reason.” It might be too much work or too much mess. Is that what’s really going on? Of course not. Human will suffer in the process, and suffering gets a lot of attention for ego. Going with Wise Mentor, yes? Gassho

 

Seeing how pursuing sensational excitement robs me of what is available in the present moment.  Like planning how to get my next big adrenaline rush instead of pausing to appreciate the woodpecker outside my window.   Also, not showing up for the human and facing down the negativity together. R/L Gassho

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There’s the real point, isn’t it? When we follow egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate’s latest excitement extravaganza designed to avoid the ultimate boredom for ego—the present—we are choosing to abandon the human being. We give up the life that is possible for us, and we give that life to ego to squander and pollute. Facing down the negativity both rids us of a bullying ego and gives the human being a full and happy life. Gassho

 

"That wasn't funny." Uh-oh. Thank goodness the Mentor picked up on that process quickly. Noticing the process of depressing humor, depressing joy, seems to pull me away from Life. Life is funny inclusively (me too!). EgocentricKarmicConditioning/Self-Hate says "that wasn't funny"?  Hooray! An awesome JOY workshop! R/L

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Great catch. Egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate (no capitals needed as capital letters are meant to denote items of importance and ego is certainly not that) has absolutely NO sense of humor. None. You may have noticed that egos cannot abide being laughed at. It really is the very best approach when vanquishing a bullying ego—just make fun of it. You’re right, Life is funny and Life has a great sense of humor. Real humor. Not “reality television” cruelty given the name of humor. Real we’re-all-in-this-together joy of innocence in form. Gassho

 

Saw no connection to Sevens until I realized that my family always pooh-poohed any plan or activity that seemed silly or risky. I felt lucky to have married someone (a Five) who kept me "from going off on a tangent." Egocentric karmic conditioning/self hate exposed--spongy, enthusiasm, energy rediscovered.

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Now you’re going to enjoy Life’s enthusiasm from center, yes? I ask that because ego wants us always to swing from one side of the pendulum of duality to the other. “I’ve been kept from going off on a tangent, and now I am tangent bound!” Do you have a Recording and Listening practice? It might be a perfect time to develop one and have the Mentor as your guide through the landmines egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate puts in our path. Gassho

 

My 7 process. Anxiety goes direct to planning in external world to fatigue to self hate. Noticing the trigger of anxiety to overplan and doing more park walks with the Mentor. I want to move thru or reframe the "anxiety" label and see what the offering is. Gassho! R/L

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Very good. We can certainly learn to see the life force egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate labels and turns into anxiety as excitement, enthusiasm, passion, and wholeheartedness. Life force, when not being siphoned off by ego, is huge. We can sense how much of it there is by the level of anxiety we feel when it falls into ego’s grip. Released and allowed to flow, it moves right on past enthusiasm and wholeheartedness in to Bliss and Joy. More of those park walks with Mentor? Yes, please! Gassho

 

Nothing worse than being identified with “egocentric-karmic conditioning self-hate” in a fearful, shameful place. Total agony. Egocentric-karmic conditioning self-hate tortures me, and then promises, “if you want to avoid feeling like this in the future; you have to become a 7” addictive distraction, which leads to more pain. A serious addictive vicious-cycle with an abuser

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Get thee to the Mentor! I PROMISE YOU that developing a Recording and Listening practice with the Mentor will be the cure you’re seeking for that addiction. That ego system truly is an addictive vicious-cycle with an abuser, and what you need is an advocate and rehab! Recording and Listening is rehab that’s cheap, easy, and ever-present. You’re ready! Gassho

 

Enthusiastic for “ego appropriate” avoidance: exercise a lot, read good books, stay informed, watch “quality TV.”   Not inherently bad activities, but sometimes the motivation is a strategy to externalize.  Practice first; sit, breath, mantra, R/L; responding to life from conscious compassionate awareness is blissful.     

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You make a powerful point. Not everything that takes us away from ourselves, away from Life, is a horrible, disgusting addiction. We can get seduced by harmless, benign, even “worthy” pursuits. Again, it’s not what, it’s how. Distraction from presence is distraction from presence, regardless of the “quality” of the distraction. Gassho