This instinct is not about having sex, but kinda about everything that sex represents (except connection and intimacy, which are the territory of the social instinct). The sexual instinct has us attract and be attracted to, and act on what we find attractive. When healthy, it helps us to move towards what will help us transform and evolve. The self-preservation instinct seeks comfort and safety and this instinct says “screw that, let’s have intensity and aliveness!”
Names given to this instinct
‘Syntony/adaptation’ (Ichazo), ‘sexual’ (Naranjo), ‘the transmitting domain’ (Mario Sikora)
Names given to sexual subtypes (Russ Hudson’s)
Type 8: ‘Taking Charge’; Type 9: ‘Merging’; Type 1: ‘Shared Standards/Chivalry’; Type 2: ‘Craving Intimacy’; Type 3: ‘the Catch’; Type 4: ‘Infatuation’; Type 5: ‘This is my World’; Type 6: ‘Feisty Vulnerability’; Type 7: ‘Fascination’.
Zones of the sexual instinct
Enneagram teacher Russ Hudson has identified three zones (or sub-domains) to the sexual instinct: (1) broadcasting and charisma, (2) exploration and edge, and (3) merging. He has broken the categories down further as below.
Subdomains of the sexual instinct
Zones of the sexual instinct
Zone 1: Broadcasting and charisma
(1) Transmitting (initiating energy that broadcasts), (2) display (doing behaviours to get yourself noticed, (3) being attracted and following energy, (4) choosing / fitness (evaluating post attraction. Auditioning and being aware of being auditioned), and (5), competition/ winning.
Zone 2 – Exploration and edge
(1) Activation and arousal, (2) taking risks and having adventures, (3) getting out of comfort zone (breaking habits and feeling soggy in routine), (4) seeking stimulation, and (5) following and honouring impulses and inspirations.
Zone 3 – Merging
(1) Disappearing into something or someone (which is restorative as it gets us away from ego self), (2) intense focus and concentration applied to activity, (3) losing boundaries and sense of self, (4) spending energy (pouring self into something and giving self wholeheartedly), and (5) seeking fusion and at oneness.
When sexual is present, dominant, ‘blind’/repressed
Heart types (Types 2, 3 and 4) may mistakenly assume that they are sexual (and social!) types for reasons which become obvious as you come to know those types. But one third of these types are blind in the sexual instinct. As students, we need to develop inner clarity on what is an expression of instinct versus something psychological/emotional. Easier said than done but very possible.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE PRESENT, DOMINANT AND BLIND IN SEXUAL, ACCORDING TO HUDSON
Present, dominant, blind characteristics
Present
Attraction and magnetism: Being aware of attractions and lack of attraction. Putting energy into being attractive through highlighting strengths/features. Heightened charisma. Broadcasting a quality of energy that commands attention. We are attracted to people and things that are good for us and that evolve us.
Exploration and edge: We are more interested in experiencing life powerfully than in stability or security. Being drawn to the edges of life and discovering our own edges energetically. Helps us to get out of our lethargy, our comfortable ‘sleep.’ It activates us and brings us back to the wakeful intensity of this moment.
Fusion/merging: Urge to lose ourselves in something or someone (could be a person, a piece of music or an engrossing book.) We seek conversations where the rest of the world seems to fall away. This leads to a beautiful capacity for focus and for being with the energy of another. Can evolve into a fiery commitment to our awakening, and to staying on track with our practice regardless of what arises.
Dominant/distorted
Attraction and magnetism: We get attracted to people and situations that are repetitions of our narcissistic wounds. We keep signing up for the same hurts and heartbreaks.
Exploration and edge: We are restless and in search of stimulation, distracted from our being.
Fusion/merging: There is a recurrent pattern of losing ourselves in relationships as well as in preoccupations – a difficulty holding a middle ground. all or nothing.
Blind
Attraction and magnetism: Difficult time sensing what turns us on, and getting beyond familiar boundaries and comfort zones. Perceive others’ sexual energy as dangerous and narcissistic.
Exploration and edge: We stay in our comfort zones and are disturbed by others who want to challenge themselves.
Fusion/merging: Appear to have no passion or commitment to anything.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
When we are sensitive to the arising of the sexual instinct, it balances self-preservation well. It makes us willing to disrupt our routines or risk the disapproval of our social groups for the sake of evolving and transforming. We are receptive to others’ sexual energy (not judging it) as well as tapped into our own, and aware of the charge in our batteries and when it is low, seeking stimulation. Being narcissistically concerned or fearful about sexual matters is a pointer towards the sexual instinct being on overdrive. On the other hand, being apathetic, negative or judgmental towards others who express this instinct may indicate a repressed relationship with it.
John Luckovich’s work
In 2021, Enneagram teacher John Luckovich published an Enneagram book devoted to the instinctual drives and the Enneagram. The book goes into more depth than elsewhere on the characteristics of people with this drive at the helm, and those who repress it. This can offer further support to anyone in the inner inquiry.
(I interviewed John about a particular teaching from the book, which you can listen to here.)
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SEXUAL DOMINANT TYPES
General characteristics of sexual types, according to Enneagram teacher John Luckovich (from his book, the Instinctual Drives and the Enneagram).
Being identified with the need to elicit the sexual choice of potential mates. For sexual types, much of their identity is organised around being able to win out over the sexual competition.
Attempting to distinguish themselves in a distinct and enticing way, broadcasting a unique and idiosyncratic flavour.
Vacillating between pouring intense focus into the object of desire, and putting energy into interests, traits and talents that function like a peacock’s tail.
Abruptly shifting from intense urgency, activation, focus and preoccupation on a specific person to hastily veering attention away/cooling off.
Due to desire for desire, having an experimental approach to life, and willingness to abruptly change course and follow it to consumption/exhaustion.
Voraciously following their passion beyond where most have the fire to go. Can have a hard time mobilising energy for practical or social reasons, leading to an inability for desires/aspirations to really take off.
Trusting the pull of attraction without concerning themselves with the hows. When unbalanced, they can be slavishly devoted to someone for whom there is attraction but is toxic.
Uninterested in remaining intact, so whatever is established holds little appeal. Can take the direction of needing to escalate situations needlessly.
Typically don’t have a great deal of stability in lifestyle, nor are inclined to cultivate deep roots anywhere.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SEXUAL BLIND/REPRESSED TYPES
General characteristics of sexual blind/repressed types, according to Enneagram teacher John Luckovich (from his book, the Instinctual Drives and the Enneagram).
Feeling that there is no acceptable arena for relenting to irrational impulses.
Having a limit to which they won’t let themselves go/be swept up in something.
Experiencing the strong obligation to dampen and self-contain, which can effectively limit certain avenues of self-expansion and creativity.
Having the tendency to overemphasise a sense of being consistent, responsible, acceptable and sensible.
Struggling in registering impressions and sensations about what turns them on or trusting chemistry.
Avoiding risks to identity.
Due to chemistry not being on the radar, there is a bluntness to how they approach sex and sexuality, and they can miss or not see the dance of sexual display and attraction.
Appeal of others can be based on affinity and like-mindedness rather than the tension of polarities which sparks chemistry.
Can avoid fully articulating projects and talents for fear of putting others off or offending them.
Can be blind to their vibrancy and inadequate attention to self-expression can result in them feeling unremarkable and bland.
May be obsessive about their interests but have the quality of being outside of them.
Actualised sexual instinct
Enneagram teacher and probably the most mentioned human on this website, Russ Hudson, describes the transmuted instinct as leading to the unstoppable passion for development and the unwavering devotion to the beloved. Beautiful! Integrating this instinct helps us to go for what enlivens and arouses us, invest in ourselves, individuate, develop and express ourselves, and leads us to uncover what expands our felt sense of aliveness.