Zen and the Enneagram: We Are All Nine Types
Thursday, August 3
Class 2
In the first class, we saw how suffering is created and maintained when the focus of attention is on “what’s wrong.” All of us were able to identify with the Perfectionist personality in some way. This assists us to see how egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate is not personal. Anyone identified with ego sees the world through the “something wrong” lens. Our opportunity when we feel resentment, judgment, and criticism is to practice unconditionally accepting the perfection of life as it is.
So let’s continue our exploration that “we are all types” by turning our attention to Enneatype Two.
Type Two – the Helper
Worldview: My love makes the world go around.
Beliefs: I am indispensable to my loved ones, employer, client, etc. I sense what people need and give it to them. I can help others achieve their highest potential. I don’t really have needs.
Focus of Attention: Approval of self as helper
Characteristics
Helpers are worthy insofar as they are helpful to others. Love is their highest ideal. Selflessness is their duty. Giving to others is their reason for being.
Helping others makes Twos feel good about themselves; being needed makes them feel important; being selfless makes them feel virtuous. Much of a Two's self-image revolves around these issues, and any threat to that self-image is scarcely tolerated. Twos are thoroughly convinced of their selflessness, and it is true that they are frequently genuinely helpful and concerned about others. It is equally true, however, that Twos require appreciation; they need to be needed. Their love is not without ulterior motive.
Because they have extended themselves for others, they begin to feel that gratitude is owed to them. They can become intrusive and demanding if their often unacknowledged emotional needs go unmet. They can be bossy and manipulative, feeling entirely justified in being so, because they "have earned the right" and their intentions are good.
The darkest side of the type Two personality appears when the Two begins to feel that they will never receive the love they deserve for all of their efforts. Under such circumstances, they can become hysterical, irrational and even abusive.
Because Twos are generally helping others meet their needs, they can forget to take care of their own. This can lead to physical burnout, emotional exhaustion and emotional volatility.
--- Excerpted from www.ecelecticenergies.com & Everyday Enneagram by Lynette Sheppard
Exercise
How are you an Enneatype Two? How do some of the qualities, processes, and characteristics of the Helper manifest in you? How do seeking approval and the need to receive appreciation at the expense of taking care of yourself show up in your life?
In 50 words or fewer, write to us about your process. Here is the link to use:
https://www.livingcompassion.
Submit your response after 9.00 a.m. PDT on Sunday, August 6. Submissions received before 9:00 a.m. PDT Sunday will not be accepted.
All submissions and responses will be posted as Cheri finishes with them. As we begin posting Cheri’s responses for each class, we will send a notice. All of the assignments can also be found here.
https://www.livingcompassion.
NOTE
When writing your responses, please pay attention to spelling and punctuation. This will help Cheri to more easily discern your meaning.
We recommend recording the class, listening to it, responding, and recording your response before submitting it. Remember to include “R/L” with your response to indicate that you are Recording & Listening.
Gassho