Rumi is a 13th century Persian poet who has captivated the minds and touched the hearts of the modern day Enneagram community, among others. In this 8th blog of the series, the focus is on Enneagram type Seven, using the Rumi poem above. As for all of the Rumi poems in this series, the message, hopefully, speaks to all of us, no matter what our enneatype.

Silence is something very difficult for Sevens, an enneatype that has so many thoughts and ideas stirring at the same time that silence is foreign to them. Some very introverted Sevens may not talk much, but there is still very little silence within them, as their minds still move like a fast and vast wind transporting one thought after another in rapid succession. Highly extroverted Sevens talk so frequently, they may even talk in their sleep.

The silence referred to in the above Rumi poem refers to both internal and external silence. It is a stillness that might feel like nothing or like empty space, except it is not. Sevens shy away from this silent space, partly because it is unfamiliar, but also because in this silence, feelings emerge such as sorrow, anxiety or fear and anger. And then, Sevens imagine feeling trapped in this unfamiliar territory.

Of all the 9 enneatypes, Sevens are the most ethereal, living their physical lives in a world of pleasurable possibilities, future options, and unfettered imaginations. Most Sevens feel a refined resonance with the universal forces that are bigger than each and all of us, forces that have a bigger plan in mind for us all. It is in this space of silence, however, where Sevens can actually access the power of this universal spirit and possibility; the internal and external chatter is what keeps us away.

Ginger Lapid-Bogda PhD, the author of five best-selling Enneagram-business books, is a speaker, consultant, trainer, and coach. She provides certification programs for professionals around the world who want to bring the Enneagram into organizations with high-impact business applications, and is past-president of the International Enneagram Association. Visit her website: TheEnneagramInBusiness.com. ginger@theenneagraminbusiness.com