Esoterica > The Work

Can personality tests and interactives aid in work upon oneself?

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Jones:
The earliest explanation I read about the enneagram as it is used for personality was that it was initially meant as a tool for self observation, not for personality typing per se as it is more popularly used these days.

My personal observations with it, admittedly without the help of a network to be sure that I was being objective about it, was that I initially formed an ego identification with one of the types.  Whether or not I am predominantly that type may or may not be true.  Perhaps ego identification with a type might serve to reinforce buffers instead of help breaking them down?  This seems to be the case amongst those that I know who also know or have chosen their enneagram type, it's like it has become a fixed mold that provides little room for or resistance against growth.  That's OK if that's their choice, but I think it may perhaps serve to work against the Work under these circumstances.

I remember reading somewhere that G said that it was a waste of time to introduce the enneagram too soon.  Perhaps he was thinking in terms of ego identification with types? 

Besides, there seem to be complexities in the enneagram some of which are beyond me at the moment, so simplifying it all down to man 1, 2 or 3 works for me for now, even though I do sometimes try to relate stuff that I learn back to what I think I know about the enneagram. 

Tristan:
As regards the MBTI I would like to contribute a little more information about it that I think you can take an approach to personality type according to Jungian psychology.
 

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO PERSONALITY ANALYSIS: THE MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR

  Among the most widely used psychological types are those developed by the Swiss psychologist Carl Jung(1875-1961). His typology emerges from his deep, holistic* philosophy about psychology and people. He viewed the ultimate psychological task as the process of individuation**, based on the strenghts and limitations of one's psychological type.
   Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katharine Crook Briggs, developed the MBTI based on jung's typology. Underlying these typologies are four personality traits, or functions:
    Extroversion-Introversion: Do you recharge your energy via external contact and activity (extroversion) or by spending time in your inner space (introversion)?
    Intuition-Sensing: Do you rely on your inner voice (intuition) or observation (sensing)?
    Thinking-Feeling: When making decisions, what do you rely on most--your thoughts or your feelings?
    Judgement-Perception: Do you tend to set schedules and organize your life (judgment) or do you tend to leave options open and see what happens (perceptions)?
    People fill out self-assesment questionnaires to determine the degree of each trait in his/her personality. The first trait defines the source and direction of a person's energy expression. The extrovert has a source and direction of energy mainly in external world, while the introvert has a source of energy mainly in the internal world. No one is only introvert or extrovert, but one side is usually dominant.
    The second function defines the method of a person's information perception. Sensing means that a person believes mainly information he receives from the external world. Intuition means that a person believes mainly in information he receives from the  internal or  imaginative world. The short quiz on sensation and intuition illustrates the differences.
--> Please see  the  attached file

   The third function defines how a person processes information. Thinking means that a person makes decisions mainly through logic. Feelings means that, as a rule, he makes a decision based on emotion.
    The fourth category defines how a person implements or uses information that he has processed. Judging means that a person organizes all his life events and acts strictly according to his palns. Perceiving means that he is inclined to improvise and seek alternatives.
    The different combinations of the traits determine a type. There are sixteen possible types. Every type has a name (or formula) according to the combination of criteria. Letters stand for each trait. For example: ISTJ is Introvert Sensing Thinking judging, or ENFP is Extrovert Intuitive (N) Feeling Perceiving.
    A type formula and a quantitative measure of expression of each criterion (strength of the preference) can be determined using the type inventory. Then a corresponding type description can be derived, as shown below.

--- Quote --- ENFP: The ENFP takes her energy from the outer world of actions and spoken words. She prefers dealing with patterns and pssibilities, particulary for people and make decisions based on personal values. Her life is flexible, following new insights and possibilities as they arise. She is creative and insightful, often seeking to try new ideas that can be of benefit to people. She may sometimes  neglect details and palnning, but she enjoys work that involves experimentation and variety, working towards a general goal.
--- End quote ---

(*)  holistic: emphasizing the importance of the whole and interdependence of the parts.
(**) individuation: Jung's term for the process of becoming a complete being who has developed all aspects of "self."
   

abeofarrell:
Gurdjieff refused to teach clearly on the Types, saying that when you reach the necessary level you will recognize them yourself (at least that is what he says in ISOTM).  In regards to personality, it is not something which we should allow ourselves to become obsessed with and waste energy on (as Anart pointed out) except for identifying our Chief Trait and fighting against it.  It is supposed to be the most difficult part of the Work so do you really think a test could show you the answer? Let alone some tool made by someone who themselves are a part of the Matrix and totally under hypnotic sleep? Who wrote the books or papers?  Who published the papers?  I am very wary of anything published, especially published in the US where all publishing is done by the same cronies controlling TV, music, newspapers, book etc.  I totally agree with Anart that the answers must be found within as you devote yourself to working esoterically.  Using such tools seems to be a cop-out to avoid the Work. Do the Work daily, hourly, moment by moment.  Remember your SELF and observe your SELF.  Network here with others who can be part of the discovery process.

I must admit it is so very tempting to find some easy tool where we answer a hundred questions and cut 10 years off our development time but that just doesn't work.  Nobody can tell you how your machine works, you need to go through the Hard Labor of esoteric work until you see it in all its grime and filth. I wish you the best in The Work.

Just my opinion, feel free to show me wrong.

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