Letters Issue 59 March 2000

I enjoyed and benefited from Peter O’Hanrahan’s recent article entitled “The Defense System” (February, 2000). However, I would like to challenge him and other Ennea-theorists on one point, namely the so-called direction of integration. In this article, O’Hanrahan says that, “…when we feel safe or secure (with lots of self-acceptance or in the presence of a loving relationship), we are able to become less defended and more open. The Enneagram suggests that as we relax and let down our defenses ...