Zen and the Enneagram: We Are All Nine Types
Sunday, August 6
Class 3
Practicing with the orientation of Enneatype 2 reveals the extent to which we are conditioned to seek conditional love and acceptance. We learn how labels such as selfish and selfless have been co-opted by egocentric karmic conditioning/self-hate to serve it at the expense of the human incarnation. Practice assists us to turn attention from what divides the world into self and other, and toward more awareness of what is compassionate for all.
Let’s move to Enneatype 3
Type Three – The Performer
Worldview: Life is about presenting a successful image.
Beliefs: I am my accomplishments. I am the image I present. I can change my image to fit the circumstances. Everybody wants to be known as a winner.
Focus of Attention: Approval for productivity or image
Characteristics
People of this personality type need to be validated in order to feel worthy; they pursue success and want to be admired. They are frequently hard working, competitive, and highly focused in the pursuit of their goals. They know how to present themselves, are self-confident, practical, and driven. Threes have a lot of energy and often seem to embody a kind of zest for life that others find contagious. They are good networkers who know how to rise through the ranks. But, while Threes tend to succeed in whatever realm they focus their energies, they are often secretly afraid of being or becoming "losers."
Threes can sometimes find intimacy difficult. Their need to be validated for their image often hides a deep sense of shame about who they really are, a shame they unconsciously fear will be unmasked if another gets too close. Threes are often generous and likable, but are difficult to really know.
Because it is central to the Performer to require external validation, they often, consciously and unconsciously, attempt to embody the image of success that is promoted by their culture. Threes get in trouble when they confuse true happiness, which depends on inner states, with the image of happiness that society has promoted. If a Three has a "good" job and an "attractive" mate, they might be willing, through an act of self-deception which is also self-betrayal, to ignore the inner promptings that tell them that neither their job nor their mate are fulfilling deeper needs. Even the most "successful" Threes, who generally appear quite happy, often hide a deeply felt sense of meaninglessness. The attainment of the image never quite satisfies.
Exercise
How are you an Enneatype Three? How do some of the qualities, processes, and characteristics of the Performer show up in you? How does the focus on meeting “external expectations” stop you from following your heart’s desire?
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, Wednesday, August 9. Submissions received before 9:00 a.m. PDT, Wednesday, August 9, 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