From Political Frustration to Transformation Using the Enneagram: An Introduction

Talking about politics is depressing because the conflicts can seem intractable and the problems too complicated to solve. Studying the Enneagram can do a lot to fix that. The Enneagram integrates an understanding of human psychology (why we are the way we are) and spirituality (how to grow in wisdom) without requiring the adoption of any kind of religious belief, political ideology, or worldview. If we use the Enneagram to inform our political discourse and action plans, it becomes very clear what is currently going wrong and how we can move forward, within a framework that is communicable across political, cultural, and religious divides.

This essay is an introduction to a series in which I will describe how each of the nine Enneagram types manifests at a societal scale (i.e. in politics and culture). I will assume that the reader is already familiar with the manifestation of the types at the individual level. I use the terminology of the Enneagram Institute in talking about the negative expression of an Enneagram point as its “trance state” and the positive expression as its “essence.”

I subscribe to the theory posited by the Enneagram Institute that national character is dominated by three points on the Enneagram. I am writing as a U.S. citizen, focused on American politics, so I will start my series with the three Enneagram points dominant here: Seven, Three, and Six.

At the individual level, every person manifests at least a little bit of all nine Enneagram points, though one will be dominant and others more or less prominent. Similarly, at the societal level, three are dominant, but there is some manifestation and potential for growth along all nine points/lines. And it’s important to note that when we talk about the “trance” of each type being manifest in society (causing problems) this is not meant to blame the individuals within that nation who could be identified as that type. All members of society tend to manifest the trance of the culturally dominant types — and we all have the potential to manifest the essence of that type more fully, as well.

The way growth tends to occur at the individual level is either through intentional effort and practice over a long period of time, or being forced into change by a crisis. Both of these strategies are also available at the societal level. And it seems clear that we are in the midst of an era of unrelenting crises. Like the individual who has been in a downward spiral of addiction and neglected responsibility, we are heading toward our societal rock bottom (though, if climate predictions are accurate, we are nowhere close to the nadir). So, we have some opportunity for growth.

My suggestions will include advice to leaders and followers (since we are all both leaders and followers, even if our circles of influence are small). And I will look at problems and directions toward growth at three levels of society: government, culture, and spirituality. Each represents a different level in the way that appropriate behavior can be promoted. These levels correspond roughly to the lower, middle, and upper levels of psychospiritual health. Government intervention is needed to curb the most highly disordered behaviors. Popular culture can encourage positive attitudes and habits for people at about the average level of functioning. Spiritual leaders can demonstrate the highest levels of self-expression.

To acknowledge my own bias, I write as a “radical centrist,” deeply committed to discerning the value in both/all sides of a political controversy. I was raised in a libertarian home and I tend to lean that way, but what I really appreciate about using the Enneagram as a framework for political discourse is that it points away from the notion that there is an ideal system. When we look at things from an “Enneagramatic” perspective, it becomes clear that the goal is not to create a utopia which expresses the perfect order of some philosophically enshrined principles. Rather, the goal is to become increasingly honest and self-aware (as a society) so that the natural gifts of each Enneagram “compass point” will more freely flow into action.

That might sound a bit “woo-woo” but that’s kind of how spirituality is. And what the Enneagram brings to the discussion is spirituality without cosmology (i.e. the path to transformation without a bunch of stuff you’re supposed to believe). In the same way that individuals must discover the process of allowing a higher power to lead them or allowing the universe to unfold or (the) Spirit to do its work (whatever), likewise, our society can learn to trust in the cultural and political growth process and allow what needs to emerge to do so. That doesn’t mean disengagement (as we’ll explore when we talk about type Nine); it means being increasingly present, which naturally flows into action.

So, without further ado, I will share my thoughts on politics and Enneatype Seven.