1) Self preservation instinct - guiding our relationships with home, food, security, family, and warmth in personal relationships. 2) One to One instinct - fueling our personal vitality, sexuality, intimate relationships, and our experience of spiritual union. 3) Social instinct - forming our friendships, our participation in groups and community, and our social identity. Every person has all three instincts, but one of them becomes more central in our daily lives and relationships - this primary instinct determines our Enneagram subtype. There are 27 subtypes, three variations of each personality type. These 27 profiles hold the key to understanding our path in life and our role in the community: How do we spend our time and energy in daily life? What are our important projects? How do we participate in home, neighborhood, politics or religious activities? What do we need to feel secure? What is the role of instinct and emotion? In our relationships with friends, colleagues, and intimate partners, subtype differences (or similarities) can be as important as personality type! In this workshop we will explore the issues for all 27 subtypes, including: Making informed choices about our personal priorities and major projects. How subtypes affect our relationships at home and at work. How to balance work, home, and intimacy. Managing the emotional habits of our type. How to live with authenticity while adapting to a rapidly changing culture. The Narrative Tradition panel method helps us to appreciate each person's story and build community. The format will include nine type panels as well as presentations, guided inner practices, and small group discussion. Beginners to the Enneagram are welcome. If you don't know your subtype, you will likely discover it during the workshop.
Here is an article with more information about subtypes. Peter OHanrahan is a leading teacher and author on the Enneagram subtypes. A counselor and body therapist for 35 years, he has been studying the Enneagram since 1978 and applying it in his personal life and professional practice. He teaches workshops on the Instinctual Subtypes, the Embodied Enneagram, communication and leadership in the U.S., Europe and China. He is an associate trainer for the Palmer/Daniels Enneagram Professional Training Program (EPTP). More information on the subtypes as well as other topics can be found at EnneagramWork.com and EnneagramWorldwide.com. The Instinctual Subtypes: Building Better Relationships Advanced Enneagram workshop with Peter O'Hanrahan The Enneagram is a powerful tool for creating more successful relationships with the people in our lives. Knowing how nine personality types think, feel and behave in very different ways allows us to increase our empathy and communication, reduce unnecessary conflict, and build bridges with one another. Understanding the instinctual subtypes takes this to a whole new level.
The primary subtype focus shows up in our relationships in three vital areas: 1) security issues reflected in personal warmth, finances, health and family; 2) social belonging and recognition through group participation, social duty, and friendships; 3) a quest for union in one-to-one connections, sexual intimacy or spiritual practice.
Subtype in a primary relationship is as important as personality type when it comes to daily life, where relationships are largely shaped by instinct and emotion. What do we expect of our partner for personal time and attention, and how does this fit with her or his priorities? Who initiates physical contact and how much? Who cooks and cleans? Who takes care of the finances? How do we include friends and family?
Understanding subtypes is a way of bringing this to our awareness and having a language to describe it. We can develop new skills to negotiate subtype differences (and similarities) in relationship. We are better able to meet our partner's needs for security and identity. We can manage the rhythms of contact and withdrawal without taking it all so personally. And we learn how to balance all three instincts, each of which plays an important role in both work and family life. In this workshop we will explore: How subtype affects our relationships at home and at work. How the development of instincts in early childhood impacts our adult relationships. How our defenses and emotional habits affect our subtype behavior. The challenges and the blessings of the six subtype combinations in primary relationships. Using the intelligence of all three centers - head, heart, and body - for successful relationships. | 
