Enneagram Type 4w5 and Religion (Thomas Merton)

[@mditt7]

Thanks Jessica. You have a lovely disposition and delivery. I find your videos very helpful and easy to listen to.

[@letahanson9491]

I think religion also helps alleviate the basic fear of 4 "I have no identity or personal significance", and their basic desire "to find themselves and their significance". From the Christian standpoint, faith provides an identity (child of God) and significance (heirs with Christ); in addition to a purpose (make disciples of men). Faith provides a 4 with a framework of reference to something greater then themsleves; a standard or moral compass which often aligns with their ideology and preference for the intuitive. But that's just my thought.

[@stevepeterson5943]

Great! Thanks, that presentation by Rohr is one I had previously watched over and over, so, yeah, very good reference. It's one of my favorites. There's some real stinkers when it comes to those limited stereotypes, ugh! I identify closest with 4/w5. Seen a few of your videos, I had forgotten your Catholic background, a religious upbringing can contribute to a stable foundation, even if minimized later in life, I believe. Im in the category of spiritual, not religious (but not anti-religiius, or "anti" anything, which is counterproductive anyway). Glad for the teachers who've shown up along the way which includes enneagram. (Also infj, walking paradox, ha) Life is a gift and any progress is due to Grace : ) Even curiosity or inspiration about such things is of Divine origin. Appreciation and recognition of beauty everywhere is a good indicator : ) May you find assurance in your journey.

[@Jessicaunarex]

Thank you for your thoughtful comment.

[@trilllllllian4468]

I'm a 4w5 who can't accept religion but chose philosophy for a similar reason. Hermann Hesse's writing reminds me of another example of the kind of 4w5's you're discussing-at least from what I read in Narcissus and Goldmund. Possibly Dostoevsky too, not that we know his enneagram.

[@Jessicaunarex]

I think both Hesse and Fyodor were both 4s.

[@sezjamaelstrom9696]

I'm actually here because of a comment you made on another video, and I wanted to say you're a very wise and remarkable person. I hope this finds you well and you have a fantastic year :)

[@Jessicaunarex]

Aw, thank you so much! That is so nice of you to say. I very much appreciate it.

[@donagh1954]

Helen Palmer says the Four longs for whatever is distant, absent and unavailable. God is distant, absent and unavailable. Ergo, Fours long for God. There isn't much of a difference between romantic longing and spiritual longing.

[@Jessicaunarex]

That sounds about right.