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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.
Compensating
belief: The world is dangerous, threatening. People can’t be trusted. You must seek or defy security, avoid or face danger.
Attention/coping strategy:
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.
Paradox:
Seeking too much certainty in an uncertain world creates more uncertainty and anxiety.
Path of development:
- 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
Ultimate task:
Reclaiming trust in yourself, others and the world, and living comfortably with uncertainty.
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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