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The Enneagrams of the Fixations: The Original Teachings
- GenresPsychology
Paperback
Published December 14, 2023
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About the author
Oscar Ichazo
78 books21 followersÓscar Ichazo was an early developer of the Enneagon or Enneagram of personality, and founded the Arica School in 1968.
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February 20, 2024
This book presents the original teachings that Oscar Ichazo presented publicly in 1969 to a professional group of psychologists and physicians. Claudio Naranjo taught parts of this material to some Jesuit priests, leading over time to what became widely known as “The Enneagram”. Over the past 54 years, a wide range of authors have presented their own interpretations of what Naranjo taught. It is clear from this book that Naranjo taught a very small fragment of what Ichazo had presented. As a result, the many authors who have been inspired by Naranjo have no knowledge of the Integral Theory with which Ichazo developed his analysis of the human psyche.
This book contains 20 different enneagrams in order to discuss the aspects of Integral Theory needed to understand the 9 Ego-Fixations that Naranjo had taught without explanation. The first part of the book describes how the human ego process becomes fixated in one aspect of each of three centers of attention (Conservation, Relation and Adaptation), forming a “Trifix”. This results in 81 different possible combinations of the 9 Fixations, with one of the three centers of attention becoming fixated first (the primary fixation).
The second part of the book is a set of detailed descriptions of the 9 Fixations, in 24 sections that cover the initial perceived trauma in childhood, the ego-projections and ego-positions that develop and the characteristics manifested by the Fixation. It presents the potential for each Fixation: degradation into personality disorders, or spiritual transcendence. The experience of reading these descriptions can be humorous or unsettling, depending on how you assimilate the difference between how you see yourself and what others see. I laughed in recognition when I read that I see myself as joyous and humorous but others will see my skepticism and doubt.
The final part of the book describes how an individual can discover their Trifix, and use this knowledge to transcend it. It describes why it is necessary to have a formal process with a guide in this discovery. Having been through this process, I can attest that guidance is essential in this process of developing an internal Witness in order to recall our childhood and see how our ego became fixated.
This book is a solid introduction to the Integral Theory as it relates to the 9 Fixations, and provides a basis for digging deeper with other books by Ichazo which focus on the results of transcendence, such as “The Enneagrams of the Divine Forms: Perfect, Eternal, Unchanging Truths”.
This book contains 20 different enneagrams in order to discuss the aspects of Integral Theory needed to understand the 9 Ego-Fixations that Naranjo had taught without explanation. The first part of the book describes how the human ego process becomes fixated in one aspect of each of three centers of attention (Conservation, Relation and Adaptation), forming a “Trifix”. This results in 81 different possible combinations of the 9 Fixations, with one of the three centers of attention becoming fixated first (the primary fixation).
The second part of the book is a set of detailed descriptions of the 9 Fixations, in 24 sections that cover the initial perceived trauma in childhood, the ego-projections and ego-positions that develop and the characteristics manifested by the Fixation. It presents the potential for each Fixation: degradation into personality disorders, or spiritual transcendence. The experience of reading these descriptions can be humorous or unsettling, depending on how you assimilate the difference between how you see yourself and what others see. I laughed in recognition when I read that I see myself as joyous and humorous but others will see my skepticism and doubt.
The final part of the book describes how an individual can discover their Trifix, and use this knowledge to transcend it. It describes why it is necessary to have a formal process with a guide in this discovery. Having been through this process, I can attest that guidance is essential in this process of developing an internal Witness in order to recall our childhood and see how our ego became fixated.
This book is a solid introduction to the Integral Theory as it relates to the 9 Fixations, and provides a basis for digging deeper with other books by Ichazo which focus on the results of transcendence, such as “The Enneagrams of the Divine Forms: Perfect, Eternal, Unchanging Truths”.
June 10, 2025
Type descriptions differ quite a bit from Naranjo’s and Riso & Hudson’s.
Here are the types according to Ichazo, or what he calls the Fixations/domains:
1. perfectionist. Domain of sentiments. Resentful, critical, seeks perfection, high standards of self and others, isolated, acts callous yet is touchy/sensitive, self-righteous, meticulous, suspicious, stubborn. Adjusts to others and needs their love (25). Distant, cold (60), organized, conscientious, angry, strict, picky, self-righteous, intolerant, rigid, distrusting, manipulative, believe they have a compassionate understanding (61). Jealous. Ranges from cold to overly sensitive (62). Lusty, systematic, scrupulous, practical, decisive, feels unappreciated, tend to dominate in relationships (63). had unloving/distant/rigid/cold mom (61). Cope with toxicomania (addiction to drugs or similar substances) (64). Obsessive compulsive disorder (65).
2. independent. Domain of health and security. Proud of helping others, wants to be independent but depends on others for approval; flatters others, considers themself unique/special (79), accommodating, organized; not caring about others; fears being abandoned; refuses to admit mistakes/shortcomings (80). Had controlling dad (76). Wants “to control and convince others of their pov thru emotional connections” (26). Active in society, gracious, flattering, try to impose their own style, norms, and values onto others (26). Preoccupied with freedom (30). Doesn’t want to be controlled (31). Tries to gain friends by being helpful (76). Often lives alone and grows accustomed to it (76). They think they are agreeable, polite, confident, supportive, spontaneous, free spirited, and open minded, but they are proud, selfish, militant, narcissistic loners (77). But they speak their minds (78). Intolerant, quick tempered, bossy (79). Jovial in success (79). Seductive, sexually dominant (78). Range from organized to disorganized (77-78). Cope with stress by over eating and imagining they have health problems they dont (80). Narcissistic personality disorder (80).
3. efficient/displayer. Domain of creativity (91). Impatient. Wants prestige, power, attention. Blames others for failures. Efficient, leaders, expressive, dramatic (90). Creative, pretentious (91). Enthusiastic, overachieving hedonistic, flirtatious, vain (92). Manipulative (93). Imitates/Identifies with others, fictional or real, individual or group (94). They believe they are honest but they are deceitful (91). “Deceit here means being caught up in make-believe and being dishonest with themselves and others” (93). Was ignored by father. They get angry when ignored, so they over display themselves to get attention and relationships (26). Felt ignored by distant, disinterested dad (75). Disorder: histrionic (91, 94).
4. reasoner. Intellectual domain. Melancholy, anxious, seeks soulmate & approval, envious of others’ happiness and relationships; reflective, questioning, want to understand the reasons and learn through experience, to avoid emotional pain; expresses self through art; dramatic, feels alienated and special; full of self-pity; discouraged by the critical attitude of others & the world. Ranges from superficial/shallow to argumentative/sophistry. They intellectualize and rationalize their emotions; self-conscious, anxious, melancholy, disappointed about their own way of living, envy others’ lives (26). Cautious, analytical, timid, critical, envious, want stable predictable relationships (86). Ichazo said 4’s domain of consciousness was the intellectual domain (p.5), but he said the head types were 5-7. Was criticized by father. Had dad who was distant, mysterious, critical, unpredictable, enigmatic, dangerous, overpowering, willful (75, 83). Type 4s want to understand their dad who represents the world (82). They try to figure out why people do things and analyze their own actions too (82, 83). They develop vivid imaginations and powerful intellects (83). They are melancholy, expect the worst, and wish for a better society (84). They believe they are rational, smart, and witty debaters, but they are argumentative, shallow, critical, moody, envious, and illogical (84). They range from argumentative and rational to superficial and shallow (85). Uncertain, bored, unstable, impulsive, reckless, may be suicidal or self-harming (88). Envy can develop into Narcissism, but their personality disorder is borderline (87).
5. observer. Domain of social interaction. “Alienated and not participating, they have a lack of doing” (27). Curious, passionate about life and social interaction, like dionysus. They see themselves as charming, witty, social, humanitarians, but they are fearful, cynical, greedy, and antisocial (99). Analyzing, reflective (100). Stingy, withdrawn, sensitive to social judgment, obsessed with social rank and climbing the social ladder (101). Collect gossip, knowledge, and material things (102). Disappointed by people/society and become apathetic (102). Ranges from nosy socialite to quiet loner (100). Others made them feel alienated and unrecognized as a child (99). When stressed, they become fearful or childish (102). “They absorb themselves in and internalize the attributes and personalities of others by assimilating their behavior, emotions or characteristics as a coping mechanism” (102). Personality disorder is antisocial or schizoid (103).
6. adventurer. Domain of work and activities. Fears the unknown, being useless. They are Adventurous, risky (28). Pushy, disorganized, dont know how to work things out (110). Felt that others prevented them from learning about their environment (111). They feel useless and having no control over anything (111). They expect the worst (112). Unstable sexually, panic, has a temper, takes risks, persevering (113). They believe they are brave, innovative, loyal, determined, achieving, but they are cowardly, paranoid, fearful, insecure, pushy, workaholic worrywarts who fall into periods of inactivity (111). The cowardliness is about “doing in the world” and “the difficulties of life” (113) and expecting danger (114). Range from hyperactive workaholic to lazy procrastinating quitter (112). When stressed, they panic and take out their emotions on others (114). Disorder is paranoid (115).
7. idealist. Domain of position and authority. Plans, enthusiastic, disappointed, nervous; engages in a lot of material pleasures, hides their anger at the one they’re angry at and takes out anger on someone else. Was inferiorized/frustrated/overpowered by siblings/others when trying to get something done (105). Obsessed with work and hierarchies. They plan how things should be done, want recognition for their plans and abilities, they feel inferior when not recognized but act as if they are superior (28). Plan, productive, in charge, feel superior, smart, resourceful, insightful, clever, optimistic (105). They are gluttonous (for success, pleasure, approval), immature, impractical (105, 107). Flirty, ambitious, promiscuous, fantasize about improving things (107). Manipulative (108). Range from feeling superior to inferior (106). Disorder is schizotypal (109).
8. justice/moralist. Domain of laws and morals. Judgmental, ambitious, assertive, want to dominate others, self-righteous, feel abused, act pompous to hide sadness, imagines better rules and ways of conduct (25). Preoccupied by moral justice (54). Self-controlled, yet hedonistic; critical of self and others (55). Vengeful, dutiful, like to be in charge (56). Self-assured, excessively sexual, talkative, affectionate, luxurious. At best, loyal, honest, trustworthy (57). At worst, betraying to self and others (57), defiant, intolerant, negativistic, passive aggressive (58). Caused by unjust abusive domineering mother (54). “Moralists would like to believe and have others believe that they have high standards of decency and ethics, that they are responsible, honorable and possess great integrity. The reality of the Fixation, however, is recognizable by the ego-projections of an imposing person, critical, cruel, and lustful, who indulges in endless hypocritical sermonizing” (54).
9. non-conformist/seeker. Spiritual domain. Timid/shy (72). Withdrawn, Lack a sense of being, feel abandoned, apprehensive of others (25). Dissatisfied, Don’t know who they are, easily change lifestyles (67). Seek their self and spirituality (68). They see themselves as kind, attentive, joyful, humorous, dedicated, goodhearted. Skeptical, gullible, aloof, idle, complaining. Self-pitying, sensual (68). Ranges from gullible to skeptical (69), haughty and egotistical to patient and pleasant (70). Confident in their sexuality, lack self-motivation, sarcastic, curious, lazy, apathetic (70). Felt abandoned by mom (50). When stressed, they cope with sensuality. Compensate with failures in one area by achieving in another area (71). Avoidant or dependent personality disorder (72).
The order of the types works like this:
Example: Type 3 starts by claiming freedom (2) until he finds that he needs good reasons (4), so then becomes efficient (3).
CHAPTER 1 PROTOANALYSIS
“Because of a first perceived trauma, one area of interest (Domain) becomes affected, fixating in our consciousness that particular area of interest. This is known as our major Fixation. This sensitive Domain of one Instinct is the beginning of all the psychic man- ifestations of our ego-personality that together with two other fixated Domains (one for each of the other two Instincts), form the three Fixations of what is called our ‘Trifix’ producing the restricted ego-personality. The three fixated Domains dominate all the expressions of our ego-personality to such a degree that they input their own marked tendencies as recognizable cyclical patterns of behavior.”
“The Trifix is the product of three fixated Domains that are imbalanced. The interests of these imbalanced Domains then strive to fulfill the Instincts to which they belong.”
“The Fixations of the Trifix that were the cause of maladaptive behavior” (17).
The Infant starts out pure, perfect, complete. It experiences trauma between birth and age six which causes the fixation (29) or personality traits which become habit (30). This is inevitable and unconscious, and you can’t choose your personality (38).
Protoanalysis is a method to transcend the cycle of personal suffering and instead engage in a process of internal growth that ends in final liberation and the State of Enlightenment (18).
The entire pattern of the ego-personality or Trifix is nothing but a series of defense mechanisms for avoiding reality with the strategies by which the Fixations of the Trifix defend themselves (19).
Instincts:
891 feelings (in abdomen) - like, dislike, conservation instinct. “Understands the world by direct empathy or intuition” (22). Being group asks “how am i?” (23). “They want to be appreciated, understood, and liked” (23). has the existential attitude of horror of death, depression; “sadness about being judged by others and losing their approval” (14). “The Fixations of this Group are actually distortions of being, closely related to perceptions of their mother whose function was to cover, preserve and give ‘being’ in the sense of giving life (24). “Moved mainly by feelings of sadness and depression about themselves, others and the world” (24). The mother is the source of conservation (46). The conservation instinct is associated with the abdomen; when in a stressful situation, pain will be felt in the gut (136). Because these types know sadness, they can empathize with others who are in sad situations (137).
234 emotion (in chest) - love hate, relation instinct. “Understands the world by way of comparisons or analogies” (22). Living Group asks “who am i with?” (23). “They look for acceptance or rejection from others” (23). has the existential attitude of terror of enslavement, anxiety about not knowing whether we’re loved or hated (138); “anger of never being adequate in our relations with others and not receiving their attention” (14). These feelings are felt in the chest (including lungs, heart, and throat) (137). The father is the source of the relation instinct (46). Preoccupied with living with and relating to others but lack the ability to make friends or avoid enemies (75).
567 thoughts (in head) - right, wrong, adaptation instinct. “Understands the world by analyzing the facts of reality in terms of right or wrong” (22). Doing Group asks “Where am i?” (23). “They want to be recognized and question if their actions will be seen as right or wrong” (24). Has the existential attitude of fear of conflict, stress, adaptation, “fear from thinking that others are not appreciative of what we are doing” (14). Afraid of not fitting into the world, and try to use analysis to fit in (27). Preoccupied with work, money, action (27), play, activities (98). “The Adaptation Instinct involves the child’s selection and organization of things and their own doing in relationship to siblings, others or the world” (46). “The basis for the Adaptation Instinct is the child who learns to discriminate between what is right or wrong with respect to their siblings, others and their environment. This primary sense of self is based on a child’s first Awareness of being an individual separate from their mother and father. The Center of Attention here is directed … toward Thoughts about learning and evaluating what is right or wrong for oneself. Thus, the Adaptation Instinct is represented by the child in relation to siblings or others in a child’s early life” (98). Believes “that their ability to act and do things has been restricted by what they perceive as indifferent, suppressive or dismissive siblings and others. The child sees these as interfering with their natural spontaneity, ability to carry out plans, and later in life to work for their survival and be productive” (98).
Thus, the Trifix manifests as a habitual pattern of conduct and behavior, starting with our major Fixation and moving clockwise in a cycle around the enneagram.
There’s the major Fixation and two minor Fixations, one for each Instinct (31). So this is the same as tritype. But the order is different; in tritype, it goes from most like you to least like you. In trifix, it’s moving clockwise around the enneagram starting from the major fixation (140).
“The first perceived trauma in an Instinct becomes our major Fixation. When the other two Fixations of the Trifix have been established, our ego in itself, our ‘I,’ becomes a composite of three independently fixated egos (one Fixation for each Instinct)” (118). “The Trifix appears in the order of first our major Fixation and then the other two Fixations, and they have to be considered in this order” (129). “Our memories from infancy and childhood are the most accurate method for recognizing our major Fixation and the other two Fixations of our Trifix” (135). Mother and father traumas can also be metaphorical; home life (including poverty or wealth) symbolizes the mother, and social status of the family symbolizes the father; our toys, games, and activities symbolize our work, success, and accomplishment (135). Our first sadness, anger, or fear was our first trauma (135-136). “The Conservation Instinct Fixations are felt as a lack of being because of Feelings of sadness projected onto our mother, the Relation Instinct Fixations as a lack of living because of Emotions of anger projected onto our father, and the Adaptation Instinct Fixations as a lack of doing with Thoughts of fear projected onto our siblings or others” (136). (I disagree with this. What if your dad made you fearful, your mom made you sad, and your siblings made you angry?)
Unlike MBTI which says the personality doesn’t solidify until the teenage years, your enneagram type is solidified in childhood. In Ichazo’s enneagram, all you need to determine your type is to figure out your traumas and the order they occurred. “To complete and reaffirm the recognition of our own Fixation, we also have to carefully study the other points of recognition proposed by Autodiagnosis which consist of our inner desires, fears, major avoidances, wishful fantasies, and cognitive ego-positions” (140).
Example questions:
Who were you most traumatized by: mom, dad, or someone else?
What relationship did you have with your mom, dad, siblings, or others?
This indicates conservation type: sadness in relation to your mom, you had strong likes/dislikes
This indicates relation type: Angered by the relationship with your dad, anger/anxiety dominated emotional state.
This indicates adaptation instinct: Childhood was full of fear and thoughts of right/wrong (141).
What do you desire?
What is your fantasy?
What do you fear?
What do you avoid?
How do you react in stress?
The other way to find your trifix is to think about how you react in stress (127).
What he calls the Passions (10, 51):
Anger/immaturity
Pride/ill will
Deceit/dishomesty
Envy/narcissism
Avarice/apathy
Fear/denial
Gluttony/ambivalence
Excess/betrayal
Laziness/alienation
Doesn’t make sense 1 is anger but anger is the existential attitude of 234.
Divine principles that each type wants to defend (31):
No effect
No dependence on others
No change (universe is unchangeable)
No difference (all reality is one and the same)
No limits (the state of the divine is endless)
No contradiction (everything is a manifestation of the same substance)
No position (= no attachment)
No time
All-consciousness
“Besides the Instincts, there are two other central egos that correspond to the fundamental Drives that produce survival externally. They are the Sexual Drive and the Individuation Drive, which are the Drives to do or act in order to survive as an individual” (48).
Ichazo assumes all kids have traumas, and develop the same personality because of that trauma. I think its a flaw of a typology system to assume personality traits are based on certain traumas. People can respond in different ways to the same trauma, and their responses are because of an already inborn personality.
Like most typology theory creators, Ichazo doesn’t explain how he reached his conclusions about the different types and their traumas.
Ichazo assumes everyone dislikes themselves (118) and doesn’t know themselves or their negative traits (117, 119).
Usually the instinctual variants are known as self-preservation, sexual, and social, and can be applied to any enneatype. But Ichazo says the instincts are conservation, relation, and adaptation, and each one is specific to only three enneatypes (118).
Interesting:
“Intelligence can be found not only in mammals but also in birds, reptiles and fish and even in the genera of insects, and it has been proved that a mechanism for learning exists at the level of flies” (44).
Here are the types according to Ichazo, or what he calls the Fixations/domains:
1. perfectionist. Domain of sentiments. Resentful, critical, seeks perfection, high standards of self and others, isolated, acts callous yet is touchy/sensitive, self-righteous, meticulous, suspicious, stubborn. Adjusts to others and needs their love (25). Distant, cold (60), organized, conscientious, angry, strict, picky, self-righteous, intolerant, rigid, distrusting, manipulative, believe they have a compassionate understanding (61). Jealous. Ranges from cold to overly sensitive (62). Lusty, systematic, scrupulous, practical, decisive, feels unappreciated, tend to dominate in relationships (63). had unloving/distant/rigid/cold mom (61). Cope with toxicomania (addiction to drugs or similar substances) (64). Obsessive compulsive disorder (65).
2. independent. Domain of health and security. Proud of helping others, wants to be independent but depends on others for approval; flatters others, considers themself unique/special (79), accommodating, organized; not caring about others; fears being abandoned; refuses to admit mistakes/shortcomings (80). Had controlling dad (76). Wants “to control and convince others of their pov thru emotional connections” (26). Active in society, gracious, flattering, try to impose their own style, norms, and values onto others (26). Preoccupied with freedom (30). Doesn’t want to be controlled (31). Tries to gain friends by being helpful (76). Often lives alone and grows accustomed to it (76). They think they are agreeable, polite, confident, supportive, spontaneous, free spirited, and open minded, but they are proud, selfish, militant, narcissistic loners (77). But they speak their minds (78). Intolerant, quick tempered, bossy (79). Jovial in success (79). Seductive, sexually dominant (78). Range from organized to disorganized (77-78). Cope with stress by over eating and imagining they have health problems they dont (80). Narcissistic personality disorder (80).
3. efficient/displayer. Domain of creativity (91). Impatient. Wants prestige, power, attention. Blames others for failures. Efficient, leaders, expressive, dramatic (90). Creative, pretentious (91). Enthusiastic, overachieving hedonistic, flirtatious, vain (92). Manipulative (93). Imitates/Identifies with others, fictional or real, individual or group (94). They believe they are honest but they are deceitful (91). “Deceit here means being caught up in make-believe and being dishonest with themselves and others” (93). Was ignored by father. They get angry when ignored, so they over display themselves to get attention and relationships (26). Felt ignored by distant, disinterested dad (75). Disorder: histrionic (91, 94).
4. reasoner. Intellectual domain. Melancholy, anxious, seeks soulmate & approval, envious of others’ happiness and relationships; reflective, questioning, want to understand the reasons and learn through experience, to avoid emotional pain; expresses self through art; dramatic, feels alienated and special; full of self-pity; discouraged by the critical attitude of others & the world. Ranges from superficial/shallow to argumentative/sophistry. They intellectualize and rationalize their emotions; self-conscious, anxious, melancholy, disappointed about their own way of living, envy others’ lives (26). Cautious, analytical, timid, critical, envious, want stable predictable relationships (86). Ichazo said 4’s domain of consciousness was the intellectual domain (p.5), but he said the head types were 5-7. Was criticized by father. Had dad who was distant, mysterious, critical, unpredictable, enigmatic, dangerous, overpowering, willful (75, 83). Type 4s want to understand their dad who represents the world (82). They try to figure out why people do things and analyze their own actions too (82, 83). They develop vivid imaginations and powerful intellects (83). They are melancholy, expect the worst, and wish for a better society (84). They believe they are rational, smart, and witty debaters, but they are argumentative, shallow, critical, moody, envious, and illogical (84). They range from argumentative and rational to superficial and shallow (85). Uncertain, bored, unstable, impulsive, reckless, may be suicidal or self-harming (88). Envy can develop into Narcissism, but their personality disorder is borderline (87).
5. observer. Domain of social interaction. “Alienated and not participating, they have a lack of doing” (27). Curious, passionate about life and social interaction, like dionysus. They see themselves as charming, witty, social, humanitarians, but they are fearful, cynical, greedy, and antisocial (99). Analyzing, reflective (100). Stingy, withdrawn, sensitive to social judgment, obsessed with social rank and climbing the social ladder (101). Collect gossip, knowledge, and material things (102). Disappointed by people/society and become apathetic (102). Ranges from nosy socialite to quiet loner (100). Others made them feel alienated and unrecognized as a child (99). When stressed, they become fearful or childish (102). “They absorb themselves in and internalize the attributes and personalities of others by assimilating their behavior, emotions or characteristics as a coping mechanism” (102). Personality disorder is antisocial or schizoid (103).
6. adventurer. Domain of work and activities. Fears the unknown, being useless. They are Adventurous, risky (28). Pushy, disorganized, dont know how to work things out (110). Felt that others prevented them from learning about their environment (111). They feel useless and having no control over anything (111). They expect the worst (112). Unstable sexually, panic, has a temper, takes risks, persevering (113). They believe they are brave, innovative, loyal, determined, achieving, but they are cowardly, paranoid, fearful, insecure, pushy, workaholic worrywarts who fall into periods of inactivity (111). The cowardliness is about “doing in the world” and “the difficulties of life” (113) and expecting danger (114). Range from hyperactive workaholic to lazy procrastinating quitter (112). When stressed, they panic and take out their emotions on others (114). Disorder is paranoid (115).
7. idealist. Domain of position and authority. Plans, enthusiastic, disappointed, nervous; engages in a lot of material pleasures, hides their anger at the one they’re angry at and takes out anger on someone else. Was inferiorized/frustrated/overpowered by siblings/others when trying to get something done (105). Obsessed with work and hierarchies. They plan how things should be done, want recognition for their plans and abilities, they feel inferior when not recognized but act as if they are superior (28). Plan, productive, in charge, feel superior, smart, resourceful, insightful, clever, optimistic (105). They are gluttonous (for success, pleasure, approval), immature, impractical (105, 107). Flirty, ambitious, promiscuous, fantasize about improving things (107). Manipulative (108). Range from feeling superior to inferior (106). Disorder is schizotypal (109).
8. justice/moralist. Domain of laws and morals. Judgmental, ambitious, assertive, want to dominate others, self-righteous, feel abused, act pompous to hide sadness, imagines better rules and ways of conduct (25). Preoccupied by moral justice (54). Self-controlled, yet hedonistic; critical of self and others (55). Vengeful, dutiful, like to be in charge (56). Self-assured, excessively sexual, talkative, affectionate, luxurious. At best, loyal, honest, trustworthy (57). At worst, betraying to self and others (57), defiant, intolerant, negativistic, passive aggressive (58). Caused by unjust abusive domineering mother (54). “Moralists would like to believe and have others believe that they have high standards of decency and ethics, that they are responsible, honorable and possess great integrity. The reality of the Fixation, however, is recognizable by the ego-projections of an imposing person, critical, cruel, and lustful, who indulges in endless hypocritical sermonizing” (54).
9. non-conformist/seeker. Spiritual domain. Timid/shy (72). Withdrawn, Lack a sense of being, feel abandoned, apprehensive of others (25). Dissatisfied, Don’t know who they are, easily change lifestyles (67). Seek their self and spirituality (68). They see themselves as kind, attentive, joyful, humorous, dedicated, goodhearted. Skeptical, gullible, aloof, idle, complaining. Self-pitying, sensual (68). Ranges from gullible to skeptical (69), haughty and egotistical to patient and pleasant (70). Confident in their sexuality, lack self-motivation, sarcastic, curious, lazy, apathetic (70). Felt abandoned by mom (50). When stressed, they cope with sensuality. Compensate with failures in one area by achieving in another area (71). Avoidant or dependent personality disorder (72).
The order of the types works like this:
Example: Type 3 starts by claiming freedom (2) until he finds that he needs good reasons (4), so then becomes efficient (3).
CHAPTER 1 PROTOANALYSIS
“Because of a first perceived trauma, one area of interest (Domain) becomes affected, fixating in our consciousness that particular area of interest. This is known as our major Fixation. This sensitive Domain of one Instinct is the beginning of all the psychic man- ifestations of our ego-personality that together with two other fixated Domains (one for each of the other two Instincts), form the three Fixations of what is called our ‘Trifix’ producing the restricted ego-personality. The three fixated Domains dominate all the expressions of our ego-personality to such a degree that they input their own marked tendencies as recognizable cyclical patterns of behavior.”
“The Trifix is the product of three fixated Domains that are imbalanced. The interests of these imbalanced Domains then strive to fulfill the Instincts to which they belong.”
“The Fixations of the Trifix that were the cause of maladaptive behavior” (17).
The Infant starts out pure, perfect, complete. It experiences trauma between birth and age six which causes the fixation (29) or personality traits which become habit (30). This is inevitable and unconscious, and you can’t choose your personality (38).
Protoanalysis is a method to transcend the cycle of personal suffering and instead engage in a process of internal growth that ends in final liberation and the State of Enlightenment (18).
The entire pattern of the ego-personality or Trifix is nothing but a series of defense mechanisms for avoiding reality with the strategies by which the Fixations of the Trifix defend themselves (19).
Instincts:
891 feelings (in abdomen) - like, dislike, conservation instinct. “Understands the world by direct empathy or intuition” (22). Being group asks “how am i?” (23). “They want to be appreciated, understood, and liked” (23). has the existential attitude of horror of death, depression; “sadness about being judged by others and losing their approval” (14). “The Fixations of this Group are actually distortions of being, closely related to perceptions of their mother whose function was to cover, preserve and give ‘being’ in the sense of giving life (24). “Moved mainly by feelings of sadness and depression about themselves, others and the world” (24). The mother is the source of conservation (46). The conservation instinct is associated with the abdomen; when in a stressful situation, pain will be felt in the gut (136). Because these types know sadness, they can empathize with others who are in sad situations (137).
234 emotion (in chest) - love hate, relation instinct. “Understands the world by way of comparisons or analogies” (22). Living Group asks “who am i with?” (23). “They look for acceptance or rejection from others” (23). has the existential attitude of terror of enslavement, anxiety about not knowing whether we’re loved or hated (138); “anger of never being adequate in our relations with others and not receiving their attention” (14). These feelings are felt in the chest (including lungs, heart, and throat) (137). The father is the source of the relation instinct (46). Preoccupied with living with and relating to others but lack the ability to make friends or avoid enemies (75).
567 thoughts (in head) - right, wrong, adaptation instinct. “Understands the world by analyzing the facts of reality in terms of right or wrong” (22). Doing Group asks “Where am i?” (23). “They want to be recognized and question if their actions will be seen as right or wrong” (24). Has the existential attitude of fear of conflict, stress, adaptation, “fear from thinking that others are not appreciative of what we are doing” (14). Afraid of not fitting into the world, and try to use analysis to fit in (27). Preoccupied with work, money, action (27), play, activities (98). “The Adaptation Instinct involves the child’s selection and organization of things and their own doing in relationship to siblings, others or the world” (46). “The basis for the Adaptation Instinct is the child who learns to discriminate between what is right or wrong with respect to their siblings, others and their environment. This primary sense of self is based on a child’s first Awareness of being an individual separate from their mother and father. The Center of Attention here is directed … toward Thoughts about learning and evaluating what is right or wrong for oneself. Thus, the Adaptation Instinct is represented by the child in relation to siblings or others in a child’s early life” (98). Believes “that their ability to act and do things has been restricted by what they perceive as indifferent, suppressive or dismissive siblings and others. The child sees these as interfering with their natural spontaneity, ability to carry out plans, and later in life to work for their survival and be productive” (98).
Thus, the Trifix manifests as a habitual pattern of conduct and behavior, starting with our major Fixation and moving clockwise in a cycle around the enneagram.
There’s the major Fixation and two minor Fixations, one for each Instinct (31). So this is the same as tritype. But the order is different; in tritype, it goes from most like you to least like you. In trifix, it’s moving clockwise around the enneagram starting from the major fixation (140).
“The first perceived trauma in an Instinct becomes our major Fixation. When the other two Fixations of the Trifix have been established, our ego in itself, our ‘I,’ becomes a composite of three independently fixated egos (one Fixation for each Instinct)” (118). “The Trifix appears in the order of first our major Fixation and then the other two Fixations, and they have to be considered in this order” (129). “Our memories from infancy and childhood are the most accurate method for recognizing our major Fixation and the other two Fixations of our Trifix” (135). Mother and father traumas can also be metaphorical; home life (including poverty or wealth) symbolizes the mother, and social status of the family symbolizes the father; our toys, games, and activities symbolize our work, success, and accomplishment (135). Our first sadness, anger, or fear was our first trauma (135-136). “The Conservation Instinct Fixations are felt as a lack of being because of Feelings of sadness projected onto our mother, the Relation Instinct Fixations as a lack of living because of Emotions of anger projected onto our father, and the Adaptation Instinct Fixations as a lack of doing with Thoughts of fear projected onto our siblings or others” (136). (I disagree with this. What if your dad made you fearful, your mom made you sad, and your siblings made you angry?)
Unlike MBTI which says the personality doesn’t solidify until the teenage years, your enneagram type is solidified in childhood. In Ichazo’s enneagram, all you need to determine your type is to figure out your traumas and the order they occurred. “To complete and reaffirm the recognition of our own Fixation, we also have to carefully study the other points of recognition proposed by Autodiagnosis which consist of our inner desires, fears, major avoidances, wishful fantasies, and cognitive ego-positions” (140).
Example questions:
Who were you most traumatized by: mom, dad, or someone else?
What relationship did you have with your mom, dad, siblings, or others?
This indicates conservation type: sadness in relation to your mom, you had strong likes/dislikes
This indicates relation type: Angered by the relationship with your dad, anger/anxiety dominated emotional state.
This indicates adaptation instinct: Childhood was full of fear and thoughts of right/wrong (141).
What do you desire?
What is your fantasy?
What do you fear?
What do you avoid?
How do you react in stress?
The other way to find your trifix is to think about how you react in stress (127).
What he calls the Passions (10, 51):
Anger/immaturity
Pride/ill will
Deceit/dishomesty
Envy/narcissism
Avarice/apathy
Fear/denial
Gluttony/ambivalence
Excess/betrayal
Laziness/alienation
Doesn’t make sense 1 is anger but anger is the existential attitude of 234.
Divine principles that each type wants to defend (31):
No effect
No dependence on others
No change (universe is unchangeable)
No difference (all reality is one and the same)
No limits (the state of the divine is endless)
No contradiction (everything is a manifestation of the same substance)
No position (= no attachment)
No time
All-consciousness
“Besides the Instincts, there are two other central egos that correspond to the fundamental Drives that produce survival externally. They are the Sexual Drive and the Individuation Drive, which are the Drives to do or act in order to survive as an individual” (48).
Ichazo assumes all kids have traumas, and develop the same personality because of that trauma. I think its a flaw of a typology system to assume personality traits are based on certain traumas. People can respond in different ways to the same trauma, and their responses are because of an already inborn personality.
Like most typology theory creators, Ichazo doesn’t explain how he reached his conclusions about the different types and their traumas.
Ichazo assumes everyone dislikes themselves (118) and doesn’t know themselves or their negative traits (117, 119).
Usually the instinctual variants are known as self-preservation, sexual, and social, and can be applied to any enneatype. But Ichazo says the instincts are conservation, relation, and adaptation, and each one is specific to only three enneatypes (118).
Interesting:
“Intelligence can be found not only in mammals but also in birds, reptiles and fish and even in the genera of insects, and it has been proved that a mechanism for learning exists at the level of flies” (44).
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