Type 8 — Enneagram In Relationship

1 (13).png — Enneagram 8

The Protector
Wings 7 & 9
Arrows 2 & 5

Type Eight

Daring, confident, direct, and courageous. Eights are passionate truth-tellers who have fighting spirits that are drawn to helping the underdog and protecting the innocent. In a world that they perceive as hard, they don’t like to allow themselves to feel the “soft” emotions, as that would leave them susceptible to being taken advantage of or hurt. Eights are action-takers who take a no-nonsense approach to getting things moving and if unaware can find themselves overpowering others along the way. While their honesty is admirable, the bluntness of it can get them into trouble. Eights have easy access to their anger, and that intense energy is felt throughout their entire body. They are prone to exploding and then forgetting about it, leaving those around them left wondering what just happened. They have an all-or-nothing way of being, and trust their gut knowing more than anything else.

Overview of Type 8

Core fear: To feel vulnerable, powerless, betrayed, and be without control

Core desire: To feel self-protected and be in control of their own life

Focus of attention: Power and injustice - taking control in situations, getting things moving, and fighting perceived injustices by protecting the weak or innocent

Limited belief: I’m not able to show “weakness” (emotional need) in such a hard and unjust world, so I must become tougher

Liberated knowing: I am able to embrace my vulnerability, knowing that it is a sign of true strength, and that the world isn’t as hard as I have perceived it to be

Strengths: Bold, decisive, energetic, straight-talking, protective, resourceful, resilient, passionate

Blind spots: Intrinsic power and self-tenderness

Three part defense system:

Defense mechanism: Denial - refusal to identify with the softer feelings inside or acknowledge the impact your behavior had on others
Avoidance pattern - Vulnerability
Idealized self-image - "I am strong"
Enneagram Eights use the defense mechanism of denial to avoid vulnerability and maintain the idealized self-image of being "strong". The idealized self-image is who our type structure believes we need to be, and we can unconsciously or consciously avoid anything that challenges this image. As an Eight learns to be vulnerable, and knows that vulnerability can actually be strength, it deepens connection within themselves and with others.

Mental healing & growth:

Moving from habit of mind to holy idea - vengeance to holy truth

Vengeance - Rectifying hurts through thoughts of anger, blame, proving wrong, or getting even
Holy Truth - Knowing that your truth isn’t the only truth, which allows you to surrender and open up to the world with gentleness

Emotional healing & growth:

Moving from passion to virtue - lust to innocence

Lust - Need for intensity, impact, and immediate fulfillment of desires which overpowers the underlying tender or “weak” feelings
Innocence - A willingness to meet the world without having to protect yourself, which allows you to experience life with a childlike aliveness