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Enneagram Type 7: The Epicure
 Definitions used in describing each type
“Lost” essential quality:
The full spectrum of possibilities experienced freely and deeply through sustained concentration.
Compensating
belief: The world limits and frustrates people, and causes pain that one can escape from.
Attention/coping strategy:
Planning for pleasurable, positive possibilities. Imagining and engaging in appealing activities and experiences. Focusing attention on multiple options and opportunities.
Trap: Keeping life up and idealized, believing one can avoid suffering.
Driving energy: Gluttony for interesting ideas and pleasurable experiences, now and in the future.
Avoidance: Frustrations, constraints, limits, getting enmeshed in suffering.
Strengths: Playful, optimistic, inventive, life-loving.
Paradox:
Seeking the positives of life and avoiding the dark side is limiting. Trying to avoid pain creates pain.
Path of development:
- Realize it is limiting to seek only the positive
- Make and fulfill commitments
- Simplify, live in the present moment
- Learn to become more aware of others
- Allow pain and uncomfortable emotions
Ultimate task:
Recognizing the escapism in the pursuit of experience and idealized future plans. Reclaiming and accepting all of life in the present moment: pain, fear and limits as well as pleasure, joy and options.
More on Enneagram Type Seven:
Enneagram Type Seven Practices
for Growth | Enneagram Type Seven Key Themes
Next: Type 8
Tour the types: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
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