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Enneagram Type 6: The Loyal Skeptic
Definitions used in describing each type
“Lost” essential quality:
Faith in self, others and the universe.
belief: The world is dangerous, threatening. People can’t be trusted. You must seek or defy security, avoid or face danger.
Becoming vigilant, questioning or doubting. Scanning for what can go wrong. Seeking certainty either by defying security and facing danger (the counter-phobic style) or by seeking security and avoiding danger (the phobic style).
Trap: Seeking certainty for which there is never enough proof.
Driving energy: Fear associated with all the possible dangers or hazards.
Avoidance: Becoming helpless and defenseless, avoided either by aligning with authority (the phobic style) or by defying it (the counter-phobic style).
Strengths: Spotting hazards, heightened intuition, loyalty, thoughtfulness.
Seeking too much certainty in an uncertain world creates more uncertainty and anxiety.
Path of development:
Reclaiming trust in yourself, others and the world, and living comfortably with uncertainty.
- Accept insecurity as part of life
- Develop inner faith in self, others and the world
- Recognize that both flight and fight are reactions to fear
- Observe fear and calm it
- Move ahead in spite of fear
More on Enneagram Type 6:
Enneagram Type Six Practices
for Growth | Enneagram Type 6 Key Themes
Next: Enneagram Type 7
Tour the types: Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4 Type 5 Type 6 Type 7 Type 8 Type 9
Registered? Learn how type 6 differs from all other Enneagram types
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