B+PC Creative Team Podcast: Talking Through An Exploration of Definition Through the Enneagram
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Part 1 Highlights
Welcome to today’s podcast! In this segment, our team talks with Marisa Buhr-Mizunaka, author of the June 2020 article “An Exploration of Definition Through the Enneagram.”
Marisa is responsible for the amazing original art for our banners, and the edition description each month. But that’s not all, she’s amazing about keeping us heading in an edgy, thoughtful and relevant direction each month with her input and suggestions.
In her own right she’s a photographer and wordsmith as well works in tons of mediums such as painting, graphic design, and writing. We’re thankful to have her on the team.
Marisa, welcome.
How did you become interested in the Enneagram?
I love personality tests...and when everyone was like “It knew me. I’ve never felt so known.” I was like, “Hmmm….We’ll see about that.” Sure enough, when I read the forward description for each type, I knew immediately which one was mine. And ever since they its been a really amazing tool on the journey of self-knowledge and compassion for others.
What is the enneagram, how should we think about it?
It is an ancient personality typing mechanism from a long time ago. It was brought to the Americas from Francisician monks. They used it in their own spiritual practice. It was a secretive thing- to know someone's type is very intimate.
The way that I have come to know it and how it’s been most fruitful for me is a lens that we look at our inner motivation and we are able to see the ways that we learn to cope with the world. So when we were kids there was a way that each of us learned how to live and survive in the world that we were born into. The enneagram just sort of shines a light on what that means for us and not how we came to see it that way, but how our experience of the world drives our inner motivations and the way that we in turn act out of them.
Type Runthrough
Ones are called the Perfectionist, the Reformer or the Improver. They need to be good, and to align themselves and the world with their higher values. A One’s one would be someone like Ned Stark or Spock. I love the example of Ned Stark because he was literally willing to die before saying a lie--and ended up dying anyway, but--it’s very much this type’s greatest strength and weakness.
"You think my life is such a precious thing to me, that I would trade my honor for a few more years... of what?"
Twos are the Helper. We in the church know and love them, their life’s blood is to help, to serve, to kill themselves in saving another… A big part of a two’s struggle against their own nature is to shed the NEED to be loved. To love apart from the fear that they will be unloved if they don’t serve and love others. Sam of Lord of the Rings is a perfect example of a two’s extraordinary love and compassion,
“Come, Mr. Frodo!' he cried. 'I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you.”
Threes are the Achiever or Performer! They are heavily image conscious and oriented to success. They fulfill the need to be valued by chasing admiration and great goals. Hugely capable of productivity, Jerry Maguire is a great example of a three--He is chasing the vision of success his whole life, only to find he is actually empty when his job crumbles.
“I will not rest until I have you holding a Coke, wearing your own shoe, playing a Sega game *featuring you*, while singing your own song in a new commercial, *starring you*, broadcast during the Superbowl, in a game that you are winning, and I will not *sleep* until that happens.”
Fours are the Individualist or Romantic. They feel they have a piece of themselves missing and seek to fulfill that missing piece by being uniquely significant. Amelie or Edward Scissorhands or dandruff girl from The Breakfast Club.
Fives are the Investigator. Seen as one of the most intelligent types on the enneagram because of their natural tendencies towards intellectualism and sometimes obsessive development of skills and ideas. Because of this, they often have problems coming outside of their internal landscape and being an active contributor to their community. Sherlock Holmes gives us a great picture of an extreme Five, extremely intelligent and excellent in his field, but severely lacking in social skills and understanding the minds and hearts of even his allies.
John Watson: There are lives at stake, Sherlock! Actual human live— Just, just so I know, do you care about that at all?
Sherlock Holmes: Will caring about them help save them?
John: Nope!
Sherlock: Then I’ll continue not to make that mistake.
Book: “My mind," he said, "rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense, then, with artificial stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation. That is why I have chosen my own particular profession, or rather created it, for I am the only one in the world.”
Sixes are the Loyalists. Both security and self conscious, sixes often create the feeling of safety by imbedding themselves into structured and trustworthy teams, groups or organizations. They are steadfast and loyal members of their communities, but a big part of the Six’s journey is to learn to trust themselves instead of turning to outside voices for assurance. Chidi from The Good Place is a six in his worst self-doubt, turning to thousands of years of moral philosophy to arrive at the right answer, only to end up at the same place.
“Well, I've narrowed it down to two possibilities: yes and no”
Sevens are the Enthusiasts. Spontaneous and scattered, their attention is drawn everywhere. They seek freedom and happiness through curiosity and consumption. With larger than life positive energy, their minds are constantly racing to find the next adventure or to avoid the last failure. My favourite example of a seven is Chris Traeger from Parks & Rec; there is nothing more encapsulating of the seven’s fatal struggle than his quote,
“If I keep my body moving and my mind occupied at all times, I will avoid falling into a bottomless pit of despair.” Bonus round! “I take care of my body above all else. Diet, exercise, supplements, positive thinking. Scientists believe that the first human being who will live 150 years has already been born. I believe I am that human being.”
Eights are the Challengers. Bursting with confidence, strength and charisma, they shield their vulnerable humanity with their independence and ego. Known for their insistence on their own way, they forge new paths and can easily burn old ones without chagrin. Toph from The Last Airbender is our eight,
“There's No Different Angle, No Clever Solution, No Trickity Trick That's Gonna Move That Rock. You Gotta Face It Head On.”
Nines are the Peacemakers.
Struggle with being themselves. Apt to meld. Hate conflict And can live in denial of feelings rather than face conflict. Best example is Winnie the Pooh.
“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.”
Team Introduction
Very telling- it helps us understand these characters and why they respond the way they do. Speaking of characters...let’s introduce the rest of the Bible + Pop Culture team here today:
Sabeth is our Director of Community Relations- the one working behind the scenes to help us develop community by providing opportunities for us to interact. You see her each month hosting our Coffee w/B+PC and interacting on our Facebook and Instagram accounts.
I scored highest as a 2 but I’m going to talk about my 3 wing.
Ayla is both our graphic designer (think the covers each month on social media and on the site) as well as is our Social Media Director- she’s the one responsible for the posts you see everyday and she also interacts with our community on Facebook and Instagram.
I am a cross between a type 4 and 6, but lean more towards a loyalist (6).
Shawn is our media guy- he edits our video and podcasts- his absolute favorite words are “um and like”- just kidding. He helps us package everything we present to you.
I’m a 2...empathetic, sincere, warm hearted. Love people and want to help- sentimental but also been known to be a people pleaser.
Marisa is a 4,
Mia, I’m our CEO and Curator- helping to pull all of the elements of B+PC together. I’m a 1 and learned through Marisa’s article another name for the Reformer, the Perfectionist. It nailed me.
So let’s jump in and see what exploring the Enneagram meant to our team.
What enneagram type resonates with you, what pop culture icon represents that to you?
Thank you for joining us for an introduction to the enneagram and getting to know our Bible and Pop Culture Team. Join us in Part 2 where we dive deeper into what living into the enneagram means as how it applies to our relationships. We’ll also explore our faith-journey and a blessing for being your best you.
Part 2 Highlights
God, Ourselves, Others
The most important part of any tool is application: How has the enneagram helped you to (love God/love others/love yourself) better?
What are ways that the enneagram helps you to pinpoint areas of growth and to move from your easiest self to your true self? Or, to identify your shadow self and move towards light?
Where do you see God in the Enneagram?
How does this help you love people better? Where do you see Jesus in the Enneagram?
What is the ultimate point of the Enneagram? Connection, growth, serving others
Self-awareness in the Christian: Your true self vs. your easiest self
Blessing of the Types
In the conclusion of this exploration, I wanted to offer some messages of healing for each one of you:
For my perfectionists, there is grace for your failures, a grace that requires nothing from you--You aren’t responsible for fixing the world, but your presence and contribution make a big difference.
For helpers, you are loved. Not for what you can do, but for who you are--you are not defined by your contribution to your family or community. You are enough as you are: Sit and let your heart be heard.
For the achievers, it’s okay to stop. To pause. To rest. To be seen. You are wanted, not for your performance, but for your true self. You are capable of being authentic, present, and sincerely loved.
For romantics, you are not an outcast; you are not a stranger; you are not alone. You can be understood, and that is okay; you can be both broken and healthy. You are seen. You are known. You are not found lacking.
For my observers, there is more. There is abundance. Energy will return, resources will replenish. Lean a little bit into what is not known and what cannot be quantified--Because knowledge will pass away, language will pass away, but love is of unending return.
For our loyalists, it’s okay to be afraid, but don’t let it consume you. You are not as alone as you think you are, and reality is not always what you believe it is--The truth is that your needs will be met, you are safe, you are more.
For the enthusiasts, it is okay to confront your darkness every so often; the light within is indefatigable, and pain is not final. Your freedom is not compromised by dependency. You will not miss out on what is meant for you.
For challengers, true strength is found only in vulnerability and giving up some aspects of control; surrendering control is different than losing it. Innocence is not beyond your reach.
For the peacemakers, you make a difference; your presence is not optional: Your perspective is needed. Your contribution to your world is a gift to those around you.
For us all, let us remember where we have been and appreciate how far we have come. Still, our journey is not yet done. In the tension of growth between surrender and attack, I hope we have the courage to simply show up with hope in hand and love in mind.
Listen Here
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Depending on how a gem is held, light refracts differently. At B+PC we engage in Pop Culture topics to see ideas from a new angle, to bring us to a deeper understanding. And like Pastor Shane Willard notes, we want “…Jesus to get bigger, the cross to get clearer, the Resurrection to be central…” Instead of approaching a topic from “I don’t want to be wrong,“ we strive for the alternative “I want to expand my perspective.”
So, we invite you to engage with us here. What piqued your curiosity to dig deeper? What line inspired you to action? What idea made you ask, “Hmmm?” Let’s join with our community to wrestle with our thoughts in love in the Comment Section! See you there!