A Consideration of Addiction and Shadow in Seven Enneagram Authors
I have noticed in reading about the Enneagram that some authors reference “addiction”
and “shadow.” I have also noticed that other do not. And I have wondered why this is.
What I have concluded is that it is helpful to take into account these two words, and the
concepts that lie behind these words, in order to develop a sound appreciation of the
Enneagram.
And while I believe it is possible to present a satisfactory exposition of what the
Enneagram is about without referencing either addiction or shadow, it is my feeling that a
better account of what the Enneagram is about can be arrived at if attention is paid to
addiction and shadow.
I say this because, after reading many Enneagram authors, I am persuaded that addiction
and shadow—and the confusing realities these words point to—are at the core of what the
Enneagram is attempting to deal with.
Which is not to say that Enneagram books that do not specifically utilize the concepts of
addiction and shadow are false, incomplete or not worth reading: Obviously, I think it is
fair to say that skilled Enneagram authors can conceptually deal with what addiction and
shadow encompass without using these two words.
However, it seems to me if you want to know how Enneagram knowledge can be of
benefit in your life, I recommend taking a thoughtful look at addiction and shadow, and
the influence both have in our lives. And I am also recommending keeping in mind
addiction and shadow when investigating any writing on the Enneagram.
What I am suggesting is that authors who choose to write of addiction and shadow as
they set forth their presentation of the Enneagram, these authors seem to get to the crux
of Enneagram more deftly (if more somberly) than those who ignore or lightly tread
around any consideration of addiction and shadow.
Further, when I keep it in mind that the Enneagram seems to be largely about dealing
with addiction and shadow, I have found this approach to be helpful when considering
traditional enneagram concepts such as essence, and the false self.
At this point, I do want to say that I want to be sensitive to Susan Rhodes’ writing and
what she has to say in her book, The Positive Enneagram, and to be sensitive to what she
has to say in her various articles that have appeared in The Enneagram Monthly. Her
view that Enneagram books can be too dark, too vice-centered, and too ego-negative is a
valid observation, in my opinion. Yet, it is interesting to note, that even Susan Rhodes in
her second book, Archetypes of the Enneagram, speaks of the Addict archetype and
incorporates shadow considerations (referencing Carl Jung and James Hillman) into her
thoughts regarding the 27 subtypes.
Yet, we are still left with this twin phenomenon, most simply and accurately described as
addiction and shadow, jerking around our individual egos: Egos which are doing their
best, but egos confounded by addiction and shadow and, therefore, egos that are
continually mystifying us. Additionally, and more importantly for those who have come
to the Enneagram as a possible aid to living a better life, these seekers may drift away
from Enneagram exploration because it is not being pointed out to them that addiction
and shadow must be acknowledged and dealt with.
So, let us take a look at addiction and shadow as laid out by authors who place the
concepts of addiction and shadow at or near the center of their enneagram writings.
As a preface to what follows, I want to say that I will be adding some of my own
comments regarding the passages I have chosen to focus on. I hope my observations will
be helpful regarding two considerations: First, I want to convey to the reader why the
authors I am quoting feel it appropriate to say that we are all addicted—be it in nine
different ways—to the baffling influence of our ego fixations and passions. And
secondly, I hope to convey why an appreciation of the role shadow plays in our lives can
help us to develop beyond our false, compulsive selves to our true, essential selves.
We are all addicted:
Kathleen Hurley and Theodore Dobson:
The core of each Enneagram pattern is a psychological addiction to a point of view
called a prime
addiction: prime because the inappropriate reactions are root causes for
the pain and confusion that we experience; addictions because the Enneagram reveals
that our responses to most situations are unfree, unthinking, and inappropriate.
The Enneagram revels that every person carries within both ecstasy and struggle. The
struggle is caused by psychological addictions and illusions that obscure reality and lead
to internal paralysis and to habits of inappropriate reaction. We feel the ecstasy
whenever we glimpse the marvelous potential hidden within each of our compulsive
qualities, for addictions are but the strengths that are overused and thus misused!
The Enneagram portrays the nine prime addictions in terms of motivations that
underlie each person’s thinking, feeling, and behaving. As we awaken to the
Enneagram’s challenge and recognize the prime psychological addiction that drives our
lives, we begin to understand how predictable our reactions are, how limited our freedom
is.
The above three passages appear on pages 13 and 14 in Kathleen Hurley and Theodore
Dobson’s book, What’s My Type. As to the appropriateness of referencing addiction
when speaking of the Enneagram, Hurley and Dobson indicate on page 6 that “The word
addiction is not used lightly here…This addiction is so psychologically blinding that it
causes a distortion in perspective—reality appears as illusion and so we are not
compelled to deal with it; illusion masquerades as reality and entices us into collusion
with it.” Lest it be thought that this book focuses only on the darker side of human
nature, I do want to point out that the ongoing metaphor of this book is the re-telling of
Hans Christian Andersen’s story of the Ugly Duckling, which is a classic story of
transformation.
Richard Rohr:
We are all addicts. Human beings are addictive by nature. Addiction is a modern
name and honest description for what the biblical tradition called “sin,” and medieval
Christians called “passions” or “attachments.” They both recognized that serious
measures, or practices, were needed to break us out of these illusions and entrapments; in
fact the New Testament calls them in some cases “exorcisms”! They knew they were
dealing with non-rational evil or “demons.”
Mere mental belief systems split people apart, whereas actual faith puts all our parts
(body, heart, head) on notice and on call, and offers us a new broadband station, with full
surround sound, instead of a static filled monotone. Honestly, it takes major surgery and
much of one’s life to get a head, heart, and body to put down their defenses, their false
programs for happiness, and the many forms of resistance to what is right in front of
them. This is the meat and muscle of the whole conversion process.
Even most addiction counselors recognize that many addicts are “all or nothing
thinkers.” I call this dualistic thinking, and the normal labeling, rational mind that is
good for things like science, math, and turning left or right. But it is at a complete loss
with the big five of God, death, suffering, love, and infinity,
The above passages appear on pages xxii, 9, and 98-98 of Richard Rohr’s Breathing
under Water, Spirituality and the Twelve Steps. Rohr’s asserts on page xxiii that “By
definition, you can never see or handle what you are addicted to. It is always “hidden”
and disguised as something else.” Rohr along with Andreas Ebert in their book,
Christianity and the Enneagram, offer their thoughts on dealing with disguised thinking,
feeling, and behaving.
Mary E. Mortz:
The task of letting go of the darkness in your life does not happen simply by willing it
in your head, in your head, or in your gut. You have to admit how much the defect or
habit or trait is part of you; how much it operates you, before Step One can happen.
When this awareness dawns, your journey begins. When you see where you have
focused your attention, you are ready to take a big “gasp of surprise,” to surrender, to “let
go,” to get going on the conversion path.
In this chapter, only the basic characteristics of each Point will be presented. If you
recognize some of your own personal traits, remain open to the possibility of growth.
Stay open to the insights that will show how much the compulsion of this Point does in
fact hold you out of balance, not whole, not sane.
This step (step 10) is unique. You might expect that you would make a list of all those
who have harmed you and then go and beat them up, or focus on trying to forgive them.
This is not the direction you take in the Twelve Steps or in the Enneagram. Your task is
to observe yourself and “your side of the tennis court,” so to speak. Somehow the
miracle that evolves is when you clean up your messes, you find yourself forgiving the
injustices, the harms done to you, much more easily.
The above passages appear on pages 21, 23, and 119 of Mary E. Mortz’ Overcoming our
Compulsions, Using the Twelve Steps and the Enneagram as Spiritual Tools for Life.
Mortz indicates on page 23 that “The Enneagram helps you see what you pay attention
to…” And what she says we are often paying attention to is the “log” in someone else’s
eye. Mortz, in my opinion, perceptively integrates Enneagram concepts into each of the
Twelve Steps. In so doing she helps us all see the log in our own eye, and she describes
how the Enneagram and The Twelve Steps can help us to do something about this log in
our eye.
Shadow is everywhere
Susan Reynolds:
Your shadow is that part of your psyche that contains unconscious, unexpressed
aspects of your personality that you either strongly dislike (negative shadow) or don’t
know you possess (positive shadow). Shadows grow in intensity inversely proportional
to your knowledge of it—the less you know the denser it becomes. If you have a weak or
ineffective ego, the shadow may muscle its way into prominence. People often project
their shadow material onto someone else—viewing your husband as controlling when in
fact you are the controlling partner; or viewing your husband as brilliant when in fact you
are brilliant but almost completely unaware of it. A large part of unveiling your essence,
or true self, involves claiming you negative shadow and your positive shadow and all of
its projections. You have to first claim your shadow to change it. Oddly enough,
particularly if you came from a dysfunctional, destructive family, you may have greater
difficulty owning your positive shadow.
Threes love the fact that they are multitalented, organized, creative, and decisive, and
that they know how to tackle problems and get the job done. They love being
exceedingly focused and efficient, as well as very creative with strong marketing skills.
They make loquacious and effective salespeople and love being leaders.
A Three shadow hides insecurity, insincerity, and dishonesty. Although they do
everything to hide or deny it, they assess other people’s feelings and vulnerabilities for
the primary purpose of exploiting them. Since they mask extreme insecurity with
posturing, they view even minimal objective criticism as insulting and often retaliate with
verbal, emotional, or physical abuse. When dysfunctional, they become classic
narcissists.
The above three passages appear on pages 61 and 120 of Susan Reynolds’ The
Everything Enneagram Book. I have chosen to highlight Enneagram Point Three as this
seems to be universally regarded as the Enneagram Type of the United States. In the
wake of the recent election, it is perhaps instructive for us all, regardless of our
Enneagram Type, to be particularly aware of the waters we all swim in. It is not my
intention to single out Threes for undue scrutiny. In the same vein, it seems to me,
people who live in France would be well advised to understand point four on the
Enneagram. Reynolds indicates that she “is a Four (creative seeker) with a heavy Five
(masterful hermit) wing.”
Michael Goldberg:
The counterclockwise wing is the rejected part of the self, what Jung called the shadow.
The shadow is the part of ourselves of which we say, “Good Heavens, I am not that!”
The shadow may appear as comical or contemptible. These are our dangerous or
distasteful feelings and desires, our snotty judgments, our guilty secrets. But the shadow
can also hold excellent parts of ourselves that we have disowned. Frequently we project
our shadow material onto others; an ambitious Four disdains Threes for their tacky
materialism.
Owning the shadow as part of ourselves allows us to gain access to and channel the
enormous power and energy that we might spend running from it. For example, Sevens
keep constantly upbeat and on the move, worried that their fears (at Six) will catch up
with them. The beginning of wisdom for Sevens is to know that they keep their fear in
their Shadow Point; once conscious of it, they need not flee from it.
The above three passages appear on page 14 of Michael Goldberg’s The 9 Ways of
Working. I am aware that not all who are interested in the Enneagram are in agreement
with Goldberg’s description of how shadow can be accounted for and how it operates in
the Enneagram. That said however, his acknowledgement of shadow as something
central to the Enneagram is worth noting.
Margaret Frings Keyes:
Point 2
Special Gift: Warmth and the ability to help people feel comfortable
Self-Definition: “I’m helpful.”
Shadow Issue: Parasitic Pride
Rejected Element: One’s own needs
Addiction: Service/manipulation
Point 3
Special Gift: The ability to get things done
Self-Definition: “I’m successful
Shadow Issue: Lying
Rejected Element: Failure
Addiction: Efficiency
Point 4
Special Gift: The ability to create beauty
Self-Definition: “I’m unique. I conform to standards of excellence.”
Shadow Issue: Envy
Rejected Element: The “commonplace”
Addiction: Superior standards with contempt for lesser standards
Point 5
Special Gift: Knowing “what’s so”
Self-Definition: “I’m perceptive.”
Shadow Issue: Miserliness
Rejected Element: Meaninglessness
Addiction: Knowledge
Point 6
Special Gift: Care and concern for the Group
Self-Definition: “I’m loyal. I’m cautious.”
Shadow Issue: Cowardice or counter-phobic reckless courage
Rejected Element: Originality
Addiction: Security
Point 7
Special Gift: The ability to create pleasure and make things happen
Self-Definition: “I’m fun. I see the bright side of life.”
Shadow Issue: Gluttony
Rejected Element: Pain
Addiction: Easy Optimism
Point 8
Special Gift: Care for the Underdog
Self-Definition: I can do. I’m Powerful.”
Shadow Issue: Lust—use of others as objects
Rejected Element: Weakness
Arrogant justice
Point 9
Special Gift: Peaceful awareness
Self-Definition: “I’m easygoing.”
Shadow Issue: Laziness
Rejected Element: Conflict
Addiction: Indecision/Inaction
Point 1
Special Gift: A vision of balance and completion
Self-Definition: ‘I’m right. I’m hardworking
Shadow Issue: Wrath
Rejected Element: Direct expression of anger
Addiction: Perfection
The above listing of Enneagram characteristics is from Emotions and the Enneagram,
Working through Your Shadow Life Script by Margaret Frings Keyes. I am presenting
this information from Margaret Keyes’ writing as the final author to be cited because, as
you can see, Keyes views the naming of both addiction & shadow as basic to her
understanding of the the Enneagram. In Keyes article, Dante and the Tasks of
Individuation (accessible via Google) she states that “As a psychotherapist, I have found
that people come with pain and feel paralyzed but block themselves from seeing options
and possibilities that are open to them because they are not available to them in their
models of the world.”
Summing up, I would like to thank Kathleen Hurley, Theodore Dobson, Richard Rohr,
Mary Mortz, Susan Reynolds, Michael Goldberg, and Margaret Keys whose work has
helped people see new possibilities for growth.
Essay by Steve Walsh, swalsh1401@comcast.net