​People with a COMPETENCY CONFLICT STYLE, also known as the methodical style, respond to conflict by taking a problem-solving approach, focusing on objectivity, rationality, logic and reason. They have an unemotional approach, focusing "on the matter". They value cognitive efficiency, analysis and getting things done as opposed to what they see as ‘irrationality’ expressed in emotional reasoning.
 
Although efficiency is an effective problem-solving strategy, avoiding or denying emotions can have detrimental consequences. When people with a competent conflict style go into problem-solving mode they may come across as cold and lacking empathy, especially if others have an emotional responses to the situation.
 
The Competency pattern consists of Enneagram types 1, 3, and 5 and they all have different ways of relating to systems and rules.
 
Enneagram type 1’s place emphasis on being competent by being correct and sensible, calling on higher moral values and integrity.  They manage feelings by repression, channeling their feelings into activity. Enneagram type 1’s work within their belief systems, valuing moral law and ethical fairness. They want to follow the system and can get upset with those who don’t. They are especially dismissive of others if they transgress some deep ethical rule they may have about life or if others’ behaviour directly impacts them negatively.
 
Enneagram type 3’s place emphasis on competency by being efficient, effective and outstanding. They manage feelings by ignoring them and focusing on tasks and goals. Work ethics are very important to them. Enneagram type 3’s mainly want to resolve chaos smoothly without impacting their own or others’ opinions of them, as long as they come out looking good.  Enneagram 3’s have little patience for rules that may not suit them. 
 
Enneagram type 5’s place emphasis on having information and answers to everything, thereby demonstrating their competency. They manage feelings with  detached objectivity, staying cerebral. They value deep reflection, seek knowledge and strive for a complex understanding and higher perspective of the problem. They often move outside of the systems and group norms, working alone.
 
If competency is your dominant conflict style, remember that dealing with feelings, instead of denying or repressing them, increases our empathetic connection, helping to develop a better and deeper connection with others. People feel heard, seen and validated when their emotions are taken into consideration, especially the intense reactive conflict style types.
 
The Enneagram Conflict styles / Harmonics Patterns comprise a person’s defense or coping mechanism in response to stressful situations, whether faced with conflict, obstacles, difficulties or disappointment. It is an emotional regulation pattern for coping with unmet needs. 

People may have different patterns in different situations or contexts, whether at work or in interpersonal relationships.  Even if it is not their dominant response, other Enneagram types might be connected to a specific conflict style through the wings or the inner connecting lines and express themselves in this manner in specific triggering situations.
 
#Enneagram #personality #personalitypatterns #patterns #archetypes #ego #persona #shadow #consciousness #unconscious #motivation #assumptions #worldview #paradigm #selfawareness #innerobserver #observingself #innergrowth #pscyhological #emotion #conflict #conflictstyles #harmonics #selfregulate #stress #crisis #conflict #loss #disappointment

Shamanism is the path of direct revelation. Its purpose is to serve the highest good of humanity.  It is the practice of communicating with Spirit through Resonance. It operates on the understanding of the interconnectedness between all things within Nature/Cosmos and between the seen and unseen worlds (dimensions beyond the ordinary state of consciousness).
 
Why is there such a renewed interest in Shamanism? Current mythologies are losing their numinosity. They no longer serves as a guiding vision of life on Earth. Jungian analyst, Thomas Singer’s ask the question “What myth now?” (1). He writes that, at critical junctures in human history, competing mythologies would tear at the fabric of our existence until a new dominant myth emerges. The Andean Shamans, known as the Laika, believe we are living in the time of “The Great Upheaval”. 
Perhaps it is time to search for deeper answers rather than “being told” what the ‘truth’ is. For centuries, the great patriarchal religions believed they held the answers and tried to quash indigenous beliefs systems through a colonization of the minds of people.
 
Jerome Bernstein (2) describe the emerging paradigm of reciprocity which is in actual fact an ancient view and a basic tenet of all forms of Shamanism. He describes reciprocity as a psychic force which “is a deep spiritual knowing that all life is sacred and, given that tenet, that a healthy life force requires respect for all species and living in balance with all its forms.” He is not referring to an external belief, but a deep “knowing from within the self and between humans and non-human life forms.” This is what Thich Nhat Hanh calls “Interbeing” (3) and the polar opposite of what Charles Eisenstein (4) dubbed as the myth of separation causing havoc in our world.  
 
An underlying belief in all Shamanic approaches is that we are “Dreaming” our collective reality into being and that our perceptions of reality are a mirror of unconscious programs and beliefs. The Shaman believes that illness or adversity is a potential initiation into our deepest being and true healing is the awakening to a vision of our true spiritual nature beyond our programming.
 
The word “shaman” comes from the Evenki, a Siberian people.
In Russia, the Evenks are recognised as one of the indigenous peoples of the Russian North.
 
A post I wrote for @jungsouthernafrica 
 
Image credit: Artist: ‘Shaman’ - Kolesnikov Sergey (2017)
https://www.russianpaintings.net/artists/artist_kolesnikov_sergey_246953/shaman_250001/
 
References
1) https://reinventinghome.org/what-myth-now/
2) Jerome Bernstein. (2020). The Cultural Complex and Addiction to Dominion -
Psychic Evolution Cannot Be Thwarted in Cultural Complexes and the Soul of America - Myth, Psyche, and Politics (Edited Thomas Singer). London: Routledge
3) https://www.garrisoninstitute.org/blog/insight-of-interbeing/
4) https://charleseisenstein.org/video/separation-vs-interbeing/
 
#jung #carljung #jungpsychology #jungianpsychology #depthpsychology 
#analyticalpsychology #unconscious #consciousness #archetypes #shadow #religiousinstinct #instincts #spirituality #religion #meaning #purpose #divine #god #gods #religio #spirit 
#shamanism #shamanicpath #directrelevation
#capetownliving #capetownlife #southernafrica

What is your conflict style?

People who are eternally cheerful and optimistic approach conflict with a POSITIVE OUTLOOK CONFLICT STYLE. They focus on happiness and positivity. They don’t sweat the small stuff, always looking at the best possible outcome and framing challenges into a broader context. In conflict situations, they bring our attention to what is right, how the problem may not be that bad or how there is a lesson in adversity.

People who use the positive outlook conflict style might minimize difficulties or downright deny that anything is wrong. In their avoidance of pain and over-focus of the positive emotions, they might not be in touch with their own negative emotions or those of other people.  This pattern is also known as the avoidant or escapists style - focusing on making the conflict go away or escaping the impact. People with this pattern tend to disengage themselves quickly from the problem situation. They might find it difficult to hear about other people’s unhappiness or suffering, especially if they play a role in it. They need to learn to acknowledge and face conflict.

Enneagram types 7, 9, and 2 all put emphasis on being positive, while avoiding acknowledging their negative reactions, especially if these are a shadow aspect for them.
 
Enneagram type 7s habitually focus on happiness by bringing an energetic, lively uplifting energy into any environment. They actively avoid negativity by making life fun, but in the process may create some chaos for momentum and distraction since they fear being stuck in boredom and the mundane.  
 
Enneagram types 9 maintain their tranquility throughout any ordeal, acting as a soothing, grounded presence for others and bringing a calmness into any environment. In their quest for harmony and peace, they avoid turbulence, big waves and disturbances. They are very conflict-avoidant.

Enneagram type 2s place emphasis on their own positive self-image and on maintaining a cheery disposition by focusing on the goodness in themselves and others, amplifying their lovable aspects. They tend to keep people close by being a good giving person, but may neglect their own needs in the process.
 
People with a Positive Outlook pattern need to be mindful that they tend to overlook the problem, sometimes even denying that it exists. They need to realize that sometimes it’s necessary and beneficial to face a problem (without putting a positive spin on it) and that their avoidance of problems and conflict may actually contribute to the problematic pattern.
 
If this is your pattern what would like to say to your partners/family/friends/work colleagues/bosses if you were free to say anything. How can you frame it in a direct, honest, non-violent, non-accusatory manner? 

How can you develop strategies that draw on the strengths of the competency and reactive patterns to help you with the best outcome? It is the combination of all three Conflict styles that gives us the freedom to respond in an optimal manner to conflict and difficulties. 
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#Enneagram #personality #personalitypatterns #patterns #archetypes #ego #persona #shadow #consciousness #unconscious #motivation #assumptions #worldview #paradigm #selfawareness #innerobserver #observingself #innergrowth #pscyhological #emotion #conflict #conflictstyles #positiveoutlook #harmonics #selfregulate #stress #crisis #conflict #loss #disappointment