This series is focusing on the ‘vice grip’ of our types. This edition focuses on the body triad. The next edition will focus on the heart triad- types 2, 3, 4.
In the last edition of Enneabites I mentioned the Passion/Vice of type. Passions/Vices are the emotional motivation of type.
And the Passion/Vice is EVERYWHERE, all the time.
The Passion/Vice is the ego’s effort to reclaim that which was lost early in our life. In the absence of noticing and observing ourselves we will be unconsciously showing up in our days driven by our passion/vice.
8- Lust- passion for intensity, excess
This passion is directed at all things the individual is focused on- money, flavours, conversation, material wealth, those who are vulnerable, sports, sex, and so on. In the grip of lust it is very hard to do things half measure or less, to slow down, to be still, to not do things intensely or excessively.
In the grip of lust, some behaviours you might see are:
- Speaking quickly
- Difficulty listening
- Coming to a decision quickly and authoritatively
- Finding yourself in a leadership position even if you don’t want to
- Angering or feeling frustrated easily
Questions to ask yourself if you see yourself exhibiting any of the above behaviours:
- What do I believe about others’ abilities?
- How could I inadvertently be disempowering others?
Suggestions for loosening the grip of lust:
- Stop- now- mid-sentence– take a slow long inhale and a longer exhale- smile at the person, at yourself. Speak from this smiling energy.
- Going into your next conversation/meeting include 2 more questions than you’d normally ask. And not ‘did you do this?’ ‘why not?’ but generative curious questions- how do you propose we go forward? Can you tell me more about your ideas?
9- sloth, laziness
This passion is directed at how the individual falls asleep to themselves. In the grip of sloth, the person is operating on autopilot, numbed out to inner thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. As a result, the person can’t state preferences, wishes, and opinions.
In the grip of sloth, some behaviours you might see are:
- Agreeing with whatever the other person says
- Saying ‘yes’ automatically
- Not being able to answer when someone asks your opinion
- Having difficulty making a decision
- Quietly not doing the thing you said ‘yes’ to
Questions to ask yourself if you see yourself exhibiting any of the above behaviours:
- What am I afraid of if I state my opinion?
- When was the last time I knew what I wanted?
Suggestions for loosening the grip of sloth:
- Ask a trusted person to keep inviting you to your opinion. Ask that they give you time to come to it.
- When you find yourself wavering with expressing your thoughts and feelings try some body-centred poses such as a yoga pose- warrior, or straightening your spine feeling it grounded, feet with roots through the earth, fresh air coming into your head. Now from this grounded place, convey your thoughts/feelings.
1- anger, resentment, frustration
This passion is directed at imperfections in self, others, and situations. It is a chronic sense of grief at the disparity between perfection/ideal and the reality. As Ones don’t often fully express their anger, it shows more through strong opinions and judgements, frustrations, and tenseness.
In the grip of anger, some behaviours you might see are:
- Analytical objective unfeeling statements conveying how something could be improved
- A sense of virtuousness or martyr-like position
- Controlling the process and outcome
- Holding high if not unrealistic standards for self/others
- Doing everything they can to be above reproach
Questions to ask yourself if you see yourself exhibiting any of the above behaviours:
- What else could be going on in that person’s life such that they couldn’t show up with the same standards I have?
- What is good enough about this that I can relax a bit?
Suggestions for loosening the grip of anger:
- Show up imperfect- clothes not perfectly put together, contribution incomplete, make fun of yourself (not criticizing but playfully)
- Hold off on sharing your opinion of perfection and take on the other’s approach and let it unfold with an open mind and heart