Enneagram Movement Points

MOVEMENT POINTS

The Movement Points refer to the arrows between the Enneagram numbers. These are commonly represented by the lines that connect each type. Each Enneagram type has a “Growth” or “Security” arrow and a “Stress” arrow.

Stress / Security vs. Levels of Development

The Levels of Development theory was developed by Riso & Hudson to help individuals understand their personal health and how to grow. There are nine levels total, but they are commonly depicted in three terms: healthy, average, and unhealthy. The levels are somewhat broad, and most people fall in the center on a given day (average). These levels are often consistent throughout seasons and don’t really change day to day. Growth (or deterioration) is slow and happens over time. All types can range from very healthy to very unhealthy.

The Stress / Security arrows can best be understood as situational. So while a person might be average in their level of development, a moment of stress can cause them to tap into characteristics of their stress type. Sometimes, people do stay in their stress number for long periods of time (such as during the current crisis). When tapping into a Stress / Security number, the level of development tends to stay the same (for example, a healthy 9 can tap into healthy 6 energy).

When thinking about growth, I find that often the biggest strides forward come from moments of stress, so I tend to call the “Growth” number “Security” because it’s what we tap into when feeling secure. “Security” can refer to either the sense of being secure in who we are and in a good place or  the sense of feeling like we can let go of our personality mask (like at home with our few closest loved ones).

In either case, we can all tap into both the POSITIVE and NEGATIVE aspects of the stress and security numbers.

This post will go over the types briefly, but the rest of the week will be focused on these in greater detail.

TYPE 1

Growth / Security  → 7

+ become more open and self-forgiving; pay attention to the good in the world

- feel restless and driven to excess; overdo everything

Stress  → 4

+ see and accept gray area, tap into creativity, loosen reins on control

- internalize anger even further, lose self-esteem, believe they are unlovable

TYPE 2

Growth / Security  → 4

+ acknowledge their range of feelings and express them well; tap into self-care

- withdraw and become overcome with envy

Stress  → 8

+ say “no” to what is not theirs to do; set boundaries to protect themselves and their time

- become demanding about their needs being met; feel like people are trying to control them

TYPE 3

Growth / Security  → 6

+ commit to where they are and don’t feel the need to jump to the next thing

- become highly anxious and indecisive

Stress  → 9

+ pause and gather all information before moving forward; get consensus

- become aimless, apathetic, tired, and neglect their own well-being

TYPE 4

Growth / Security  → 1

+ apply themselves to their dreams and find the discipline they need to get things done

- become exacting, overly rigid, and judgmental

Stress  → 2

+ become more focused on others and find fulfillment in helping those around them

- rely fully on others to meet their needs and become dependent and/or jealous

TYPE 5

Growth / Security  → 8

+ find their power and feel emboldened to speak up and assert their ideas

- become really stubborn and dig in their heels

Stress  → 7

+ more open to ideas and tap into the idea that energy is always available to them

- become scattered, distractible, and disconnected

TYPE 6

Growth / Security  → 9

+ see various sides to everything, but in a way that brings peace and freedom

- see nothing beyond the status quo, become highly avoidant

Stress  → 3

+ find confidence and self-assurance to move forward without second-guessing

- become so focused on productivity that they begin to spin out

TYPE 7

Growth / Security  → 5

+ find stillness gratifying and become more thoughtful and self-reflective

- avoid responsibilities and become more focused on mental stimulation

Stress  → 1

+ become more focused and aware of others and make thoughtful decisions

- get judgmental or perfectionistic, insist that they have the only answer

TYPE 8

Growth / Security  → 2

+ okay with showing their gentler side, more open to connecting

- take offense easily and have unrealistic expectations

Stress  → 5

+ cautiously evaluate before responding; exert less energy

- isolate themselves, forget about their own physical well-being, and withdraw

TYPE 9

Growth / Security  → 3

+ take an active role in their lives and exude confidence, value, and charisma

- become overwhelmed by the projects they’ve said yes to, worry what others will think

Stress  → 6

+ more energetic and feel like they are responsible for others, in a good way

- become overwhelmed with deep anxiety, so they become indecisive and reactive