[Blue Screen of Feels]

I've been so enthusiastic about typology in the past few months that it has managed to creep into most of my daily life activities, thought process, and other such things. Well, I have managed to regulate it compared to what it was a month ago.) I was talking about it with a friend last night and she told me that I should stop. Stop visiting this forum, even. She thinks I tend to look at things from perspectives I shouldn't.

She thinks I play the English teacher:


I don't really think I do because I have always looked at things from different view-points but even more so after reading much on PerC and Typology/Psychology in general.

I don't know what percentage of the total population in the world (total population = those who have the luxury to access the internet, have access to books, etc.) have taken an interest or use typology but it seems like a lot of them have gotten along just fine.

Even though MBTI and Enneagram have helped me understand myself and be a little more relaxed and understand my motives, and justify/reason my actions, anxiety, fears it has probably opened up too many doors for my own good. It has definitely made life more 'interesting' but is that always the best thing? My friend told me I should discover myself naturally and by myself and not by such theories, etc.



So, is this sort of a short-cut to understanding yourself? Is that short-cut always good?

[Spades]

Oh good, I was looking for a thread to make 2 posts in as to retire with 2200 posts. I was actually just heading over here to comment on one of yours =P

In all seriousness, there are infinite paths to take; some more efficient than others, some more enjoyable than others, some more effective than others, and so on. While MBTI and JCF stopped being useful to me, Enneagram has surprisingly exceeded my initial expectations.

If the cost-to-benefit ratio is not worth it for you, there are certainly other paths you could take. (Excuse the nonsense, it's 04:30) ;)

[Spades]

Unintentional double post ;)

Or is it =P See you when (if) I return, PerC.

[Blue Screen of Feels]

Haha, it has definitely helped me quite a lot. Acceptance. I just wonder if typing is really better than understanding yourself without such tools. Those ancient philosophers, Buddha (the whole enlightenment thing), etc. didn't use any of these, no?

Now I wonder if Buddha really did take this test, would it have helped him?

EDIT: Gave you a dopamine release!

[Bumblyjack]

I never really used any of this stuff to understand myself. I think understanding has to come first. For me MBTI, JCF, and Instinctual Variants were a way of understanding others, seeing our similarities and differences, improving my interactions with them, and learning how to more effectively communicate with them and relate. Enneagram was about owning up to things that I already knew were true but either didn't want to deal with or was in denial about.

None of this was really about figuring out who I am, it was about putting that self-knowledge into perspective and context, considering what that meant and looking at implications, and entertaining new ideas of how I can change and grow to become more healthy, complete, and fulfilled both personally and in my relationships.

[Boss]

As far as Enneagram goes, it has everything to do with learning to overcome your insecurities and negative behavioural patterns, understanding how your unconscious motivations and fears influence you and learning to transcend them. The Enneagram works on explaining how the ego's agendas and illusions keep us from living in the moment. The Enneagram shows you the trap you're stuck in. It's not a positive "Oh yeah let me pick a cool label" system. It's not a way of experiencing life. It's a way of overcoming your neuroses and getting past them.

You experience life when you transcend the barriers posed by your Type,the negative patterns that bind you. Your friend is right. These theories are just tools, and your life should not revolve around them. Obsession with these things is not productive, and it's not unhealthy. Keep a detached stance. Learn, but don't cling.

And, not for a second, were these theories intended to "justify" behaviour. These are tools for self-understanding and transcendence. Treat them as such, and you'll benefit.

[Blue Screen of Feels]

As far as Enneagram goes, it has everything to do with learning to overcome your insecurities and negative behavioural patterns, understanding how your unconscious motivations and fears influence you and learning to transcend them. The Enneagram works on explaining how the ego's agendas and illusions keep us from living in the moment. The Enneagram shows you the trap you're stuck in. It's not a positive "Oh yeah let me pick a cool label" system. It's not a way of experiencing life. It's a way of overcoming your neuroses and getting past them.

You experience life when you transcend the barriers posed by your Type,the negative patterns that bind you. Your friend is right. These theories are just tools, and your life should not revolve around them. Obsession with these things is not productive, and it's not unhealthy. Keep a detached distance. Learn, but don't cling.

And, not for a second, were these theories intended to "justify" behaviour. These are tools for self-understanding and transcendence. Treat them as such, and you'll benefit.

I can fall in love with the way you write, you know? Your thoughts and everything. I have such a glorified image of you in my mind.