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Enneagram Instinctual Variants: the Depths of Personality

by

Margo Plater

inEnneagram Test
5 minutes read
Enneagram Instinctual Variants

Unlocking the Secrets of Enneagram Instinctual Variants for Personal Growth and Self-Discovery

Explore the different instinctual variants of the Enneagram to gain a deeper understanding of your personality. This can help you to foster personal growth and self-discovery. Unleash the power of understanding your unique instincts through this comprehensive guide.

Introduction: Unveiling the Hidden Dimensions of Personality

Personality is a complex tapestry woven with various threads that make each individual distinct. The Enneagram, a profound system of personality typing, offers many benefits including profound insights into our core motivations, fears, and desires. Among the many aspects of the Enneagram, instinctual variants play an important role in shaping our behaviors and perceptions. In this comprehensive guide, we will embark on a journey of exploring Enneagrams and uncovering their fascinating intricacies.

Exploring Enneagram Instinctual Variants: A Window into the Soul

Understanding the Core Instincts: Self-Preservation, Social, and Sexual

At the heart of the Enneagram instinctual variants are three core instincts: self-preservation, social, and sexual. People's choices often revolve around these instincts. They are a large influence on personality types, often seen as a base of personality.

They are influencing how we interact with the world and how we prioritize our needs. Each instinct brings its unique flavor, adding depth and nuance to our behaviors and decision-making processes.

Self-Preservation Instinct: Protecting Oneself

The self-preservation instinct is focused on protecting one's own well-being to ensure survival. This instinct is focused on the physical well-being of an individual's body, so fitness, diet, and exercise are all encompassed in this. This instinct is focused on routine as well as healthy habits and self-regulation to be the best version of yourself.

Self-preservation includes the most basic survival skills that a person needs to thrive in situations they are placed in. It requires the knowledge to know how to solve a task and the patience to take the correct steps to get there. Self-preservation also focuses heavily on the desire to make things that are good for oneself permanent and stable.

Social Instinct: Seeking Connection and Belonging

The social instinct revolves around the desire for connection, community, and a sense of belonging. Individuals with a dominant social instinct thrive on building relationships, collaborating with others, and contributing to the greater good. This instinctual variant often manifests in behaviors such as networking, seeking approval, and actively participating in group activities. The social instinct aims to create bonds with all humans.

The social instinct is rooted in the need for belonging and safety that a group provides. This can be found in a family setting as well as in a strong, tight-knit group of friends. It can also be found in community organizations, really anywhere where you feel safe in a group of other people. The base of this instinct is the need for safety which throughout history is achieved with more success in groups.

Sexual Instinct: Seeking Intimacy and Intensity

The sexual instinct also referred to as the one-to-one or intimate instinct, centers around actively seeking intense connections. Individuals with a dominant sexual instinct crave deep emotional bonds and thrive in situations that evoke strong sensations. This instinctual variant often manifests in behaviors such as intense focus, competitive drive, and a drive for heightened experiences.

Key Takeaways: Embracing the Depth of Personality

Exploring Enneagram instinctual variants unravels the complex layers of personality. It sheds light on core instincts and the impact they have on our lives. By delving into the depths of our dominant variant, we can gain valuable insights into our motivations, fears, and desires. This newfound self-awareness empowers us to navigate our personal and professional lives with greater truth, understanding, and growth.

As you embark on your journey of self-discovery through exploring Enneagram instinctual variants, there are important notes to remember. Firstly, each variant brings its own strengths and challenges. Embrace the diversity within yourself and others, appreciating the unique perspectives and contributions that different instinctual patterns offer.

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