What is good about enneagream type 9?

[Simo]

I used to type myself as a five but after more research I am convinced that I am a nine (which I don't really like), so I was trying to figure out how a nine would be like at his best, and to be honest I couldn't come up with anything

it seems the only good thing about nines is that their accepting attitude make them able to see where others are coming from so it is easier handle conflict between others which make them good as mediators, but being a mediator sounds boring to me

it is sort of strange that I can easily think of how each of the other eight types can be at his best, yet can't think of one reason why my own type is as valuable

so any ideas? how a nine would be at his best? what value does it add? or what is good about?

[maniac]

All types are at their best when they arent their types... enneagram isnt "this is what is good with you", its "this is what is bad with you and this is your made up illusions"

What I like about some 9s is that they're in touch with their bodies and are often very intellectual and intelligent, grounded and "aware", i dont know how else to describe the aware part. And how they are able to take alot of shit without externally overreacting (so being emotionally stable), but this can be a bad thing because usually they just appear to be stable and inside there is chaos. A thing that i have noticed is they dont tell me when things bother them alot, and then all of a sudden they explode and Im like where did this come from?

They calm me down but not necessarily in the things they say. Its more like an intuitive thing and it's in their body, as gut types.


As for how they are online they can either be super assholey and stand-offish as a way to take out their inner anger, or they are as they are in real life, innocently peaceful like Adam Strange.
The third option is for when they have been enlightened about their 9 ways and is some middle ground.

[Pallas]

I used to type myself as a five but after more research I am convinced that I am a nine (which I don't really like), so I was trying to figure out how a nine would be like at his best, and to be honest I couldn't come up with anything

it seems the only good thing about nines is that their accepting attitude make them able to see where others are coming from so it is easier handle conflict between others which make them good as mediators, but being a mediator sounds boring to me

it is sort of strange that I can easily think of how each of the other eight types can be at his best, yet can't think of one reason why my own type is as valuable

so any ideas? how a nine would be at his best? what value does it add? or what is good about?

Apparently 9s are literally Buddha or something. Unless you just interpret 9s like a more low-key version of 7s I'm really not sure. Interpreting 9s as just wanting to enjoy themselves in a low-key way seems to be pretty common on these forums, but on most sites they don't talk like that at all and there really aren't any redeeming traits. The most direct enneagram site just makes it like "I have no mouth, and I must scream" but instead of not being able to scream, you're not aware of your own mental states in favor of physical states due to an irresolvable characteristic of your psyche. All your mind is a lie, your body is all that there is. If you believe in a non-materialist metaphysics, you are epistemologically cut off from spirit or ideas in favor of the material, while 8s and 1s are not. If you believe in materialism, you are incapable of taking action in the material world due to having to reset yourself mentally to maintain equilibrium all the time, and you might as well wait to die. How do you feel about that?

On top of the downright awful literary, artistic, and musical analysis, some types being objectively better than others in the mainstream community is one of the worst things about enneagram. And E9 is not just "sort of pointless", it's basically an inherent, ontological, insurmountable self-negation in favor of the environment. Have fun. But as I said above, E9 = like E7 but wanting to relax instead of party is common on this forums even if you won't find resources for that, but this forum is anti-resources in the first place.

[ashlesha]

What I like best and could probably attribute to 9-ness in the one I'm close to is feeling like I'm unconditionally accepted for who I am and they see the best in me. But I guess this is the kind of "boring" stuff - bullshit, though. I wish I could paint a picture of this feeling and show you because the experience of being fully accepted and taken as you are is not boring at all. It's very intimate; facing that kind of receptivity can make people feel like they're loved even if they're not, so there's an underestimated power in that ability.

Also as a 6 i have also learned to be less emotionally volatile after prolonged contact with this person, partly because they have a naturally soothing personality, partly because they see some of my more reactive behavior as absurd - so it doesn't escalate + what they see gets reflected back at me creating self awareness, and partly because they refuse to engage (for better and worse...), which forces me into calmer alternative strategies and creates space for reflection.

[GuavaDrunk]

You do know that you are allowed to have a personality outside of your self-typings?

Re: calming people - I've also been told that people find me calming to be around, even if I'm not particularly feeling calm myself, and grounding, even if I'm not particularly grounded in an absolute sense. It's some weird body voodoo shit One friend of mine (e4) explicitly appreciates my dubious look and vague aura of judgement at some of their more extreme overreacting. On other days, I love overreacting right along with them for fun. It balances out.

For what it's worth, I feel similarly to you about all the "nines are MEDIATORS" descriptions. I'm good friends with another 9 irl, and I genuinely appreciate their capacity for slightly clumsy kindness. It's not expressed all the time, and they certainly have other things going on for them, but it's certainly one of their better qualities. I'm also pretty sure they'd feel like you if they were shown their enneagram description.

I guess it might be hard for e9s to appreciate the notion of being calmed, as it is more often of a swamp of death for this type. However, people with a compulsion towards internal movement might find it a previous jewel in a jungle of feelings, or an oasis of acceptance (cough indifferent lack of reaction cough) in the middle of a desert of self-judgement. E9s don't *add* to your turmoil*, that can be enough in itself: therapists get paid handsomely for that kind of skill.

*Much generalisation. Such lack of specifics.

[ashlesha]

I guess it might be hard for e9s to appreciate the notion of being calmed, as it is more often of a swamp of death for this type. However, people with a compulsion towards internal movement might find it a previous jewel in a jungle of feelings, or an oasis of acceptance (cough indifferent lack of reaction cough) in the middle of a desert of self-judgement. E9s don't *add* to your turmoil*, that can be enough in itself: therapists get paid handsomely for that kind of skill.

*Much generalisation. Such lack of specifics.

Yeahhhhh, this.

[Samson]

I have this feeling too, which isn't a surprise as a major part of 'being a 9' is devaluing one's existence, (broken line to 3).

Type 9 is the crown of the Enneagram, with THE best view on the other types, on the other perspectives. Being able to see where another comes from is an invaluable skill to possess, even if it may seem boring to you. (Hint: seeing it as boring is part of the lie that 9 tells you in order to maintain the position of not seeing its value. Recount all the ways this asset has helped you in your life and all of the experience you've gained through all of it. I am confident that at least one aspect of this is something you can consider good.)
The 9 ends up synthesizing these opposing perspectives and in this way can see the world in a more complete color palette. Imagine the power this gives to any person if they choose to turn this wisdom into action.

Type 9 listens to the ebb and flow of life, it has its finger on the pulse of the earth. When the 9 learns to balance the struggle for autonomy with the compulsion to give way to another, they will become a beacon to others that celebrates the vibrancy of freely expressed and unlimited willpower. Just think about it, if all of the energy that gets spend on numbing one's experience and on being stubborn gets released into free action... what you will have on you hands is nothing short of a force of nature.

[Simo]

All types are at their best when they arent their types... enneagram isnt "this is what is good with you", its "this is what is bad with you and this is your made up illusions"

I sort of disagree with you here, it is true enneagram point out the bad, fear or limitation so for you to be at your best you need to do something about that bad thing, for example 9s fixation is "Indolence" so fix it and reach their best by continually taking action but that doesn't mean they aren't 9s anymore.

What I like about some 9s is that they're in touch with their bodies and are often very intellectual and intelligent, grounded and "aware", i dont know how else to describe the aware part. And how they are able to take alot of shit without externally overreacting (so being emotionally stable), but this can be a bad thing because usually they just appear to be stable and inside there is chaos. A thing that i have noticed is they dont tell me when things bother them alot, and then all of a sudden they explode and Im like where did this come from?

I think the explode part can be explained by them avoiding getting angry however there is always a limit to how long you can hold anger inside. personally I don't like to be consumed by anger and I rarely get angry but my mother says that I look very frightening

They calm me down but not necessarily in the things they say. Its more like an intuitive thing and it's in their body, as gut types.


As for how they are online they can either be super assholey and stand-offish as a way to take out their inner anger, or they are as they are in real life, innocently peaceful like Adam Strange.
The third option is for when they have been enlightened about their 9 ways and is some middle ground.

well I guess that can be true, I don't think I was ever "super assholey" but "a bit annoying" can be true

[Simo]

Apparently 9s are literally Buddha or something. Unless you just interpret 9s like a more low-key version of 7s I'm really not sure. Interpreting 9s as just wanting to enjoy themselves in a low-key way seems to be pretty common on these forums,

I wouldn't have typed myself a 9 if I interpreted 9s as a low-key version of 7s

but on most sites they don't talk like that at all and there really aren't any redeeming traits. The most direct enneagram site just makes it like "I have no mouth, and I must scream" but instead of not being able to scream, you're not aware of your own mental states in favor of physical states due to an irresolvable characteristic of your psyche. All your mind is a lie, your body is all that there is. If you believe in a non-materialist metaphysics, you are epistemologically cut off from spirit or ideas in favor of the material, while 8s and 1s are not. If you believe in materialism, you are incapable of taking action in the material world due to having to reset yourself mentally to maintain equilibrium all the time, and you might as well wait to die. How do you feel about that?

well I guess I am a bit confused to be honest

[Simo]

What I like best and could probably attribute to 9-ness in the one I'm close to is feeling like I'm unconditionally accepted for who I am and they see the best in me. But I guess this is the kind of "boring" stuff - bullshit, though. I wish I could paint a picture of this feeling and show you because the experience of being fully accepted and taken as you are is not boring at all. It's very intimate; facing that kind of receptivity can make people feel like they're loved even if they're not, so there's an underestimated power in that ability.

I see your point and I guess being accepting type is good in building relationships but what about in a work environment? I don't see being an accepting person to be of much value there
maybe the calming effect is good when there is some sort of emergency or disaster scenario, but that is not your everyday work life

[ashlesha]

I see your point and I guess being accepting type is good in building relationships but what about in a work environment? I don't see being an accepting person to be of much value there
maybe the calming effect is good when there is some sort of emergency or disaster scenario, but that is not your everyday work life

Riding out workplace politics without getting burned?

[Simo]

You do know that you are allowed to have a personality outside of your self-typings?

I thought that would be a violation of the international typing law

Re: calming people - I've also been told that people find me calming to be around, even if I'm not particularly feeling calm myself, and grounding, even if I'm not particularly grounded in an absolute sense. It's some weird body voodoo shit One friend of mine (e4) explicitly appreciates my dubious look and vague aura of judgement at some of their more extreme overreacting. On other days, I love overreacting right along with them for fun. It balances out.

As I said to lungs how can calming people be helpful in work environment?

For what it's worth, I feel similarly to you about all the "nines are MEDIATORS" descriptions. I'm good friends with another 9 irl, and I genuinely appreciate their capacity for slightly clumsy kindness. It's not expressed all the time, and they certainly have other things going on for them, but it's certainly one of their better qualities. I'm also pretty sure they'd feel like you if they were shown their enneagram description.

yeah I don't like much of 9s descriptions especially since they are written about nines who are feelers or that's how I see it

I guess it might be hard for e9s to appreciate the notion of being calmed, as it is more often of a swamp of death for this type. However, people with a compulsion towards internal movement might find it a previous jewel in a jungle of feelings, or an oasis of acceptance (cough indifferent lack of reaction cough) in the middle of a desert of self-judgement. E9s don't *add* to your turmoil*, that can be enough in itself: therapists get paid handsomely for that kind of skill.

*Much generalisation. Such lack of specifics.

I really like the analogy, but still I don't plan to be a therapist

[Simo]

I have this feeling too, which isn't a surprise as a major part of 'being a 9' is devaluing one's existence, (broken line to 3).

well even though I devalue my own contributions many times, I wouldn't go as far as to say I devalue my existence. one of the reasons I started this thread is because I think the descriptions of 9s devalue them, so I wanted to see the value of the type. I might see myself as a very intelligent person but intelligence is not type related in my opinion, so I want to find something that can be attributed to being a 9

Type 9 is the crown of the Enneagram, with THE best view on the other types, on the other perspectives. Being able to see where another comes from is an invaluable skill to possess, even if it may seem boring to you. (Hint: seeing it as boring is part of the lie that 9 tells you in order to maintain the position of not seeing its value. Recount all the ways this asset has helped you in your life and all of the experience you've gained through all of it. I am confident that at least one aspect of this is something you can consider good.)

I guess I can't imagine myself without this skill

The 9 ends up synthesizing these opposing perspectives and in this way can see the world in a more complete color palette. Imagine the power this gives to any person if they choose to turn this wisdom into action.

The problem here is if you couldn't synthesize these opposite perspectives, yet you see the truth in each then you end up paralyzed & can't commit to one because that would deny the truth of the other perspective, so you don't take any action

Type 9 listens to the ebb and flow of life, it has its finger on the pulse of the earth. When the 9 learns to balance the struggle for autonomy with the compulsion to give way to another, they will become a beacon to others that celebrates the vibrancy of freely expressed and unlimited willpower. Just think about it, if all of the energy that gets spend on numbing one's experience and on being stubborn gets released into free action... what you will have on you hands is nothing short of a force of nature.

I like this part

[Simo]

Riding out workplace politics without getting burned?

well even though 9s (well talking about myself here so not sure if it applies to all 9s) can be calm that doesn't mean they don't get burned by workplace politics, personally I hate them and I can be stubborn about personal values or principles that conflicts with those politics which get me into trouble.

^I am curious if other 9s agree or have another perspective on this

[GuavaDrunk]

I thought that would be a violation of the international typing law

As I said to lungs how can calming people be helpful in work environment?

yeah I don't like much of 9s descriptions especially since they are written about nines who are feelers or that's how I see it

I really like the analogy, but still I don't plan to be a therapist

I get the impression that a lot of nine descriptions are written from the outside while wearing particularly rosy glasses.

Regarding your question: You remain human, if you don't like your behaviour then change it.

Otherwise, 'calm behaviour' can lead people to under-estimate you (useful for Impressing With Your Hitherto Hidden Skills, plotting and backstabbing), or to regard you highly for your self-control and professionalism (useful for a good reputation, influencing people with your opinion).

[Simo]

I get the impression that a lot of nine descriptions are written from the outside while wearing particularly rosy glasses.

I think that's the reality not just your impression

Regarding your question: You remain human, if you don't like your behaviour then change it.

I know that (even though I don't always do it), but what I want is something that applies to 9s in general

Otherwise, 'calm behaviour' can lead people to under-estimate you (useful for Impressing With Your Hitherto Hidden Skills, plotting and backstabbing), or to regard you highly for your self-control and professionalism (useful for a good reputation, influencing people with your opinion).

I know both of those types

[flames]

They won't bother you and they always act normal no matter how fucked up they could be inside. (Some people need to desperately learn how to be the same)

[Stellafera]

However, people with a compulsion towards internal movement might find it a previous jewel in a jungle of feelings, or an oasis of acceptance (cough indifferent lack of reaction cough) in the middle of a desert of self-judgement.

*cough cough* TYPE 6*cough cough*

Anyhow... Doesn't let pointless stuff affect their dealings with others; when healthy, can be actively pleasant and make their environment more functional/enjoyable. Is naturally pulled towards contentment rather than some state of deliberately induced negativity (a la any of the reactive triad 4/6/8). Finds reasons to be OK with things rather than not okay with them... wait, from a 9 perspective that's probably more of a drawback. But it's something a lot of non-9s can learn from.