Striving to Feel Detached (Enneagram Type Five)

In this episode of the Awareness to Action Enneagram podcast, Mario Sikora, María José Munita and Seth "Creek" Creekmore speak with Sali Honess-Ondrey, a clinical social worker and enneagram trainer, to discuss Enneagram Type Five. The name of this strategy, “Striving to Feel Detached,” typically gets pushback for its perceived negative connotation, but detachment is a required element of existence. Sali explains the role being a Type Five plays into her life and shares why a yucky truth is better than a sweet lie.

“It’s only negative when it’s being done in a maladaptive way, but the reality is that life requires emotional detachment for all of us.” -Mario [09:28]

“It’s not like I’m indifferent, but it’s that I’m just approaching it as this is the situation and we’re going to figure this out.” -Sali [15:05]

“I’ve seen Fives use that ‘Striving to Feel Powerful’ by using their knowledge to eviscerate people.” -Creek [28:01]

“I couldn’t help thinking about this information and how it may look different for different subtypes of the Five. Like a different tone, but also a different topic.” -María José [37:54]

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01] Intro

[00:10] Today’s guest, Sali Honess-Ondrey

[03:34] Who Sali works with

[09:03] About the Enneagram Type Five

[13:07] How Sali discovered the Enneagram

[16:13] The language Sali uses with the Five

[18:19] How the ATA approach influences how she teach

[20:36] Maladaptive and adaptive ways

[26:21] The connecting points

[29:51] How the connecting points show up

[37:55] Difference in the way these navigate