Behind the Scenes of Enneagram Type 9

Enneagram type nines are known as “The Peacemakers.” This type doesn’t like to rock the boat, and avoids conflict at all costs. But what else do we know about nines? Today we are going behind the scenes of enneagram type 9 to discover more about them.

The Gut Triad

Let’s start with the triad nine falls into. Type nine is in the “Gut Triad,” along with types one and eight. Each type in this triad deals with anger/ gut reactions, but in very different ways. The type nine is asleep to their anger which causes it to seep out passive aggressively. Since they avoid conflict, they don’t want to openly say when something is bothering them. This could cause a loss of connection or disruption in a relationship (which is one of type nine’s worst fears).

Nines allow themselves to float along, agreeing with whomever they are with. This in enneagram language, is known as, “merging.” If a nine is very unaware and hasn’t done any inner work, they may not know their own opinions of things. They can spend too long agreeing with everyone else’s ideas that they fail to discover their own.

The Withdrawn Stance

Numbers in the withdrawn stance, have an orientation to time towards the past. They are neither future looking, or present, but always looking back.

You’ve heard of the law of inertia:

An object at rest tends to stay at rest, whereas an object in motion tends to stay in motion.
Isaac Newton

Those in the withdrawn stance tend to stay at rest. They have a hard time actually getting going and moving into getting things done. This is called “Doing Repressed.”

For the type nine, they might look busy doing, but their doing is usually to avoid what actually needs done. For example, they might really need to call their mom, but instead of calling their mom, they notice that the fridge needs cleaned out. They will spend hours cleaning the fridge (a very productive looking thing to do) but this is an avoidance tactic. Doing repressed comes down to unproductive doing.

This repressed doing center causes nines to procrastinate until the very last second. If a nine doesn’t want to do something, they can really dig their heels in. They have a surprising stubbornness about them.

The Type Nine Superpower

One of the most amazing things about nines, is that they have a little piece of every type on the enneagram. This allows them to see everyone’s perspective and makes them incredible mediators. They are the only type that can understand all the other types so well.

Nines naturally want everyone to get along. If they are aware, they can use this passion to connect people. They are also eager to give of themselves, and sacrifice their wants and needs for others. As with all, “superpowers,” they can be a blessing or a curse. If nines aren’t careful, they will end up merging too often and sacrificing too much.

Being around a type nine is the easiest. They require little from you, and make great friends. Nines are extremely laid back (so laid back, they might take a nap)!

What Type 9 needs from us

Ask their opinion. Since nines tend to merge easily, it is important to ask them what they think, or you might never find out. They won’t speak up, or share an opinion that is different from yours easily. Asking them is an honoring thing to do and will make them feel loved.

Ease into conflict situations. We all know that conflict has to happen sometimes. Since this is so devastating for a type nine, help them walk through it as best you can. Reassure them that the relationship will be even stronger on the other side of the conflict.

Don’t pressure them. Pressuring a type nine can cause them to dig their heels in even more. They can be indecisive and slow to get moving, but trying to hurry them along will only make it worse. Be patient with them.

We love all those enneagram type nines… helping connect the world!

Thanks for reading!

Want to grab this overview of type 9 below? Click here.