Paths of Integration (1, 2, 3, 4)
This is part of the collaboration with @tvandenneagram. Visit their blog for more information about the Enneagram!
Enneagram 1 Path of Integration: 7
The rigid and principled 1, integrate into healthy 7s, when they learn to overcome the stringent rules and demands of their superego. They learn to become malleable and inviting of the external world like healthy 7s, and responding to life with positivity and spontaneity. They realize they don’t need to recoil themselves against the world and its reality, and thus begin to let go and relax. Integrating 1s will look past their own opinions and views of the world and are more oriented towards learning and integrate others’ thoughts and ideas. Like 7s, they begin to develop a more open, curious and optimistic attitude towards life. In this process of integrating, the superego is likely to launch a fierce attack against the 1, as they fear they’re losing control of themselves and marring their integrity as a result. They become fully aware of their own anger and all their repressed impulses, and realize the only way to challenge their superego is with complete self-acceptance.
Enneagram 2 Path of Integration: 4
During the process of integration, 2s that are naturally attuned to the states of others, begin to turn that emotional sensitivity towards themselves. They become more aware of their own needs, desires and emotions, and learn to respond to it as they would others’. 2s find themselves more willing to voice out their own emotional concerns and are able to reach out to others for their help and guidance. Like healthy 4s, they learn to immerse themselves in different modes of self-expression (music, art and dance). This allows them to discover themselves and expand their self-knowledge. 2s, thus, listen to themselves more and begin foster their self-revelation and creativity, putting themselves on the path of real self-knowledge. In identifying themselves as independent entities, the 2s alert their superegos and invite accusation of “selfishness” and “self-absorption.” They counteract this by quieting the voices in their mind and learning to listen to the real voice of inner guidance.
Enneagram 3 Path of Integration: 6
Integrating 3s, like healthy 6s, find deep satisfaction and fulfilment when they begin to commit to something larger than themselves. 3s, who usually work and perform to enhance their self-image, find freedom, purpose and worth in working with others and sharing responsibility. They shed their need to impress others and learn just be. They communicate more easily, be more straight-forward, and thus feel more accessible to those around them. They become more selfless, more meaningful in their actions. Used to experiencing themselves as alone, they start to have more solid, stable relationships with others like 6s. They realize they don’t have to go at it alone and begin to reach out to others, accept and provide support, and therein begin to build a community. This process us usually triggers their inherent feelings of being inadequacy, but once they overcome this, they find they possess real self-esteem, existing outside of what they achieve, and as result, appear more authentic to both themselves and others.
Enneagram 4 Path of Integration: 1
4s moving into 1 learn two very important things—one, to recognize and accept reality, and two, to rise above their subjective emotional experiences. The first is key as it allows them to let go of the past and come to terms with the present. This leads them to accept themselves for who they are, forgiving themselves for their flaws and mistakes, and develop a sturdy, lasting sense of self-worth. It allows them to remove themselves from their idealized world, built up full of unrealistic expectations for others and give up the idea that they need to be rescued. This in turn, not only means they can have real, satisfying relationships with other, but also means they finally start to see themselves as having value. In the process of integration, they learn to engage more creatively with the world as they learn to stay in the present. The second is significant, as it helps them become more objective in their perception of things and like healthy 1s, be more committed to their principles. They realize to distinguish between self-expression and indulgence, and thus, become more disciplined in their work. This awakens them to deeper truths that exist in the world and helps them discover their true identities as they have finally become a participant in their own lives.