Subtypes Introduction

This body of work was first taught by Claudio Naranjo who was a Chilean psychiatrist. The 27 subtypes are basically 3 versions of the 9 types and what they pay attention to and how they unconsciously behave.

Subtypes are based on behaviours developed as a result of coping strategies which we used to cope with our life circumstances. It is sometimes called the body Instinct/Intuition/Gut Instinct.

We have all 3 instincts. In childhood, one of these instincts was ‘damaged’ or needed attention. So, we focused on it unconsciously so that our needs were met. The other is secondary, with the third, a repressed instinct that is quite absent from our lives.

SELF-PRESERVATION

It is the instinct of self-protection. Our body is the source of life and a focus on this helps us cope, sustain and preserve ourselves in the long haul. Survival, safety, financial needs, food, and comfort are the focus.

SOCIAL

Focused on creating and maintaining relationships within a group, tribe or community to build a sense of personal value, accomplishment, and community. This happens at a slightly more mature stage of childhood and if this was affected, the adult will find it to be an area of emphasis.

SEXUAL (ONE-TO-ONE)

This instinct is focused on attraction and seduction, companionship & reproduction. There is an attraction to finding one-to-one interactions with a single person and maintaining that “sizzle” between another and themselves. A relationship where we depend habitually on a single person for safety and comfort.

Why Is It Important?

Sometimes, the Types are not described clearly enough because there are certain nuances within a type that will result in distinct qualities. Hence, certain characteristics and behaviours can look quite different within the same type. We would sometimes think that the Wings are what made certain types look different from each other, but the Subtypes offer a much clearer understanding of why people within a type can behave quite differently.

There are aspects which all 3 subtypes within a type will share and there are aspects where they will diverge. The Subtype is the alchemical fusion of your Enneagram type and Subtype, through which you will discover a deeper nuanced version of your type.

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