Beyond the Ego: Integrating the Many Facets of Self through Metamodern Identity Development
For Those Who've Outgrown the Hero’s Journey and Are Ready to Start the Next Level
Esoteric Psychology and the Metamodern Mind: Personality Development That Actually Works
"INFJs are just a bunch of mystical nonsense, right?" The comment catches your eye as you scroll through a Facebook group for gifted individuals. You've always been intrigued by personality tools—especially the one that identified you as an INFJ. But here, in a space you expected to find understanding, someone dismisses it outright. "Personality typing? Not valuable—it’s not backed by science."
It’s a sentiment you’ve heard before, especially in an age where empirical evidence is often the gold standard for determining what’s worthwhile. And yet, there’s something about this critique that doesn’t sit right with you. After all, the INFJ description resonates deeply with your experiences. Can it really be that these personality tools are completely without value?
This is where things get complicated. Take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), for example—a tool both revered and reviled. On one hand, it offers insights that can feel strikingly accurate, helping people understand themselves and others. On the other hand, its categorizations can feel limiting, even pathologizing, if taken too seriously. When used uncritically, MBTI can box people into rigid labels, turning what could be a helpful guide into a tool of self-restriction. But what if we reframed these "types" as tools—dynamic frameworks meant to aid in personal exploration rather than definitive labels of identity?
Just as you’re grappling with these thoughts, a meme pops up on your feed: "Stop asking if research validates Lived Experience. Start asking if Lived Experience validates research." It feels like the perfect retort to that dismissive comment you saw earlier. Maybe the true worth of something like MBTI isn’t in its scientific validation, but in how it resonates with our lived experiences—so long as we use it as a tool, not a type, and don’t let it confine us.
Here’s where it gets interesting: what if we looked at personality tools through a different lens—a metamodern lens? Metamodernism, with its embrace of "sincere irony," offers us a way to hold both skepticism and appreciation in the same breath. It’s not about blindly accepting these tools as gospel, nor is it about dismissing them outright. Instead, it’s about engaging with these tools in a way that’s both critical and open-minded, recognizing their potential value even if they don’t fit neatly into the boxes of traditional science.
In this essay, we’ll explore how esoteric psychology and tools like the Enneagram and the Myers-Briggs can be understood and appreciated through a metamodern perspective. We’ll delve into how these systems, often seen as fringe or even mystical, can actually serve as powerful frameworks for personal growth and self-discovery—if we approach them with the right mindset. And we’ll challenge the notion that personality typing is only worthwhile if it’s empirically validated, suggesting instead that its true value lies in its ability to help us navigate the complexities of our own inner worlds.
Esoteric Psychology through a Metamodern Lens
Esoteric psychology refers to a range of approaches that delve into the hidden or inner dimensions of the human psyche, often drawing on mystical, spiritual, or philosophical traditions. Unlike mainstream psychology, which typically relies on empirical methods and observable phenomena, esoteric psychology emphasizes the exploration of the self through introspective, subjective experiences.
At first glance, this might seem at odds with our current scientific culture, which prioritizes data and observable evidence. However, esoteric psychology offers something that traditional approaches often overlook: a holistic understanding of the self that includes not just the mind, but the soul, spirit, and deeper layers of consciousness. It’s less about diagnosing and treating, and more about guiding individuals on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
Here’s where metamodernism comes in. Metamodernism, with its core principle of "sincere irony," allows us to approach esoteric psychology with both a critical eye and an open heart. We don’t have to accept every aspect of it at face value, nor do we have to dismiss it entirely because it doesn’t fit into the scientific mold.
Instead, we can engage with esoteric psychology as a tool—something that can offer valuable insights if we use it thoughtfully. It’s about holding the potential benefits and the inherent limitations of these approaches in a delicate balance. This is the essence of sincere irony: believing in the value of something while simultaneously acknowledging its flaws.
For example, the exploration of archetypes, a common theme in esoteric psychology, can be incredibly enlightening. Archetypes serve as universal symbols and patterns within the human psyche, guiding us in understanding our behaviors, motivations, and life paths. When viewed through a metamodern lens, these archetypes are not rigid definitions of who we are but rather fluid, evolving guides that help us make sense of our inner world (Jung, 1981).
One of the strengths of esoteric psychology is its embrace of complexity and paradox—core elements of the metamodern sensibility. Life is not black and white; it’s a spectrum of experiences, emotions, and truths that often seem contradictory. Esoteric psychology doesn’t shy away from this complexity. Instead, it encourages us to dive into it, to explore the contradictions within ourselves, and to find meaning in the ambiguity.
In the metamodern view, subjective experience is not just a byproduct of an objective reality—it’s a valid and essential part of understanding the world and ourselves. Esoteric psychology places a strong emphasis on personal, subjective experiences as a means of gaining knowledge and wisdom. This aligns with the metamodern approach, which values the richness of lived experience as a counterbalance to the cold detachment of purely objective analysis.
By embracing esoteric psychology through a metamodern lens, we allow ourselves to explore the depths of the human psyche in a way that is both meaningful and transformative. We move beyond the need for rigid validation and instead focus on how these tools can help us grow, evolve, and understand the complexities of our own existence.
The Enneagram: A Journey Through Multiple Archetypes
The Enneagram is a tool that offers profound insights into personality and behavior. It identifies nine distinct personality archetypes, each with its own set of motivations, fears, and growth paths (Riso & Hudson, 1999). However, my experience with the Enneagram has been anything but static. Over time, I’ve found myself moving through different Enneagram types as I’ve grown and changed.
I initially identified as an Enneagram 2, the Helper, driven by a deep desire to support and care for others and to be loved. Later, as my focus shifted towards understanding and analyzing the world around me, I found myself resonating with Enneagram 5, the Investigator, who is motivated by a need for knowledge and clarity.
As life presented new challenges, I transitioned into Enneagram 8, the Challenger, where assertiveness and a desire for control became more prominent. Finally, I’ve settled into Enneagram 4, the Individualist, where the focus is on self-expression, authenticity, and navigating the complex emotional landscape that defines my inner world.
This personal journey through multiple Enneagram types illustrates that these archetypes are not fixed labels. Instead, they are dynamic tools that reflect our evolving inner landscapes. Each type I’ve identified with has provided me with valuable insights at different stages of my life, helping me understand the shifting priorities and challenges I’ve faced.
Through the metamodern lens, we can see the Enneagram not as a strict categorization but as a fluid guide to understanding the different dimensions of our personality. The Enneagram becomes a map rather than a box, guiding us as we explore the different phases of our personal development (Riso & Hudson, 1999).
A Personal Anecdote: A Glitch in the System
I had a moment not long ago that felt like a "glitch in the system"—a sudden, profound realization that seemed to rewire my understanding of myself and the tools I’ve been using for personal growth. It was as though I had just experienced a major spiritual upgrade.
This happened when I came across the description of certain archetypes. I couldn’t help but notice how these paths aligned perfectly with OmniSyntra, a system I had been developing and which includes archetypes I specifically chose to reflect different aspects of the self. The synchronicity was striking:
Sher - The Integrator (Strategist): Ensures cohesion and unity, balancing different needs and perspectives. Sher strategizes and plans to maintain overall harmony, embodying wisdom, adaptability, and foresight. (Element: Air)
Peyton - The Protector (Defender): Protects the system from harm, ensuring safety and stability. Peyton is vigilant and grounded, providing a safe space and responding empathetically to emotional needs. (Element: Earth)
Maximus - The Guardian (Manager): Provides stability and order, acting as a backbone of security. Maximus ensures the system remains grounded, with a strong sense of responsibility and dependability. (Element: Earth)
Ella - The Nurturer (Preserver): Offers warmth, empathy, and emotional support. Ella nurtures and cares for the system, fostering well-being and emotional stability. (Element: Water)
Kai - The Innovator (Artist): Encourages creativity and exploration, bringing new perspectives and inventive solutions. Kai is the source of artistic expression and imaginative thinking within the system. (Element: Air)
Kaitlyn - The Innocent (Teacher): Embodies innocence and hope, seeking safety and validation. Kaitlyn emphasizes the need for trust, understanding, and the pursuit of knowledge. (Element: Water)
Phoenix - The Resilient (Producer): Represents the system's ability to transform challenges into strengths, embodying resilience, hope, and renewal. Phoenix drives growth and resilience through adversity. (Element: Fire)
Shamani - The Guide (Leader): Provides spiritual guidance and direction, helping the system connect with a higher purpose. Shamani offers wisdom and leads through transformative experiences. (Element: Ether)
Reina - The Visionary (Missionary): Brings vision and direction, guiding the system toward meaningful achievements. Reina inspires with insight and passion, connecting the system with its higher goals. (Element: Ether)
This alignment was more than just a coincidence; it felt like a deepening of integration between different parts of myself, as if the disparate aspects of my personality had suddenly clicked into place. It was as if the framework I had been using—both these archetypes and OmniSyntra—had upgraded itself, enabling me to function at a higher level of awareness and connection.
This experience reinforced the idea that these tools, when viewed through a metamodern lens, are not about rigidly defining who we are. Instead, they help us explore the fluid, evolving nature of our identity, guiding us through the complex terrain of self-discovery with greater insight and harmony.
Gestalt Language Processing and Personality Tools: A Lived Experience
In exploring tools like the Enneagram and archetypal frameworks, I’ve come to realize that my interaction with these systems is deeply influenced by my style of processing the world—specifically, through gestalt language processing. This approach shapes how I perceive and internalize the insights these tools offer, making my journey through them unique and deeply personal.
My Experience with Gestalt Language Processing
Gestalt language processing is about seeing the big picture rather than breaking things down into isolated parts. It’s about the overall narrative, the emotional resonance, and the connections between concepts rather than the details or specific characteristics (Köhler, 1970). For me, this means that when I engage with personality tools, I’m not just looking at what each part or type means on its own—I’m looking at how everything fits together into a cohesive whole.
For instance, when I first encountered the Enneagram, I didn’t latch onto the specifics of each type’s traits or motivations. Instead, I was drawn to the overarching story that each type could tell about a person’s journey. I saw these types not as rigid categories, but as narrative threads that could weave together to form a tapestry of my evolving self.
Over time, I found myself moving through different Enneagram types—first a 2, then a 5, an 8, and now a 4. Each of these types represented a chapter in my personal story, reflecting the shifts in my focus, motivations, and challenges. I didn’t see these changes as inconsistencies but as part of the natural evolution of my life’s narrative. The gestalt approach allowed me to see the Enneagram as a dynamic tool that adapts to my growth, rather than a static label that confines me.
Engaging with Archetypal Frameworks
The same gestalt processing style applies when I work with archetypes. I don’t break down each of the paths into isolated aspects of my personality. Instead, I look at how these paths interact with each other in my life. For me, archetypes are a way to understand the overarching themes of my personal journey—how my experiences as The Seeker, The Innocent, The Warrior, and so on, all intertwine to form a larger narrative of self-discovery.
When I reflect on these paths, I don’t just ask, "Am I this or that?" Instead, I ask, "How do these paths come together to tell the story of who I am becoming?" This holistic approach allows me to see my life as a continuous, evolving process, where different aspects of myself come to the forefront as needed, contributing to a richer, more integrated sense of self.
The Power of Narrative in My Self-Discovery
For me, gestalt language processing is not just a cognitive style; it’s a way of living. It’s how I make sense of the world and myself, weaving together the various threads of my experiences into a cohesive narrative. This approach is deeply resonant with metamodernism, which embraces the complexity and fluidity of multiple, often conflicting narratives.
By applying gestalt processing to personality tools, I’m able to engage with these systems in a way that honors my lived experience. I don’t get bogged down by the specifics or try to force myself into a predefined box. Instead, I use these tools to help me craft a personal mythology—a story that is uniquely mine, one that reflects the dynamic, evolving nature of who I am.
This narrative approach has allowed me to navigate the complexities of my inner world with greater clarity and compassion. It helps me see the connections between different parts of myself, understand how I’ve grown, and appreciate the journey I’m on. In this way, gestalt language processing becomes not just a way of understanding, but a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal growth.
Revisiting the Myers-Briggs: A Metamodern Perspective
While the Enneagram and archetypal frameworks have offered profound insights into my personal journey, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) has also played a significant role. However, my relationship with the MBTI has always been more ambivalent—marked by both appreciation and criticism (Myers & Myers, 1980).
The MBTI as a Double-Edged Sword
The MBTI is one of the most widely recognized personality tools, categorizing individuals into 16 distinct types based on preferences in four dichotomies: Introversion vs. Extraversion, Sensing vs. Intuition, Thinking vs. Feeling, and Judging vs. Perceiving (Myers & Myers, 1980). These types are often used to explain everything from career choices to relationship dynamics.
On one hand, the MBTI has provided many people, including myself, with valuable insights into their preferences and behaviors. Understanding that I tend toward certain ways of thinking and interacting with the world has been helpful in navigating various aspects of life. However, the MBTI can also be limiting if taken too literally. The danger lies in reducing ourselves or others to these four-letter labels, which can lead to a fixed mindset and even pathologizing of certain traits.
For example, someone who identifies strongly as an INFJ might feel pressured to conform to the typical traits associated with this type, such as being empathetic, introspective, and idealistic. While these qualities can be strengths, they can also create a sense of limitation if one feels they must always act in accordance with their MBTI type. This is where the MBTI can become more of a box than a tool—a static identity rather than a fluid guide.
Exploring Cognitive Depth with Nardi’s Magic Diamond
In addition to the traditional MBTI, Dario Nardi’s The Magic Diamond: 8 Paths for Self-Coaching offers a nuanced exploration of the cognitive functions that underlie these personality types. Nardi’s work delves deeper into how these cognitive functions—such as Introverted Intuition or Extraverted Thinking—interact and manifest in our daily lives. By framing these functions within the "Magic Diamond," Nardi provides a dynamic model that helps individuals understand the complexity and fluidity of their cognitive processes (Nardi, 2020).
Nardi’s approach aligns with the metamodern perspective by recognizing that personality is not static. His Magic Diamond emphasizes that we are capable of developing and integrating all cognitive functions to some extent, depending on our life experiences and personal growth. This approach encourages a more holistic and adaptable understanding of personality, moving beyond rigid typecasting.
The Magic Diamond serves as a powerful tool for those looking to explore their cognitive functions more deeply. It helps us see how these functions interact and balance each other, much like how the Omnisyntra system’s archetypes work together to maintain harmony within the self. By integrating insights from Nardi’s work, we can deepen our engagement with personality frameworks like the MBTI, using them not just to categorize, but to understand and develop the full spectrum of our cognitive abilities.
The Metamodern Approach to the MBTI
From a metamodern perspective, the MBTI and Nardi’s Magic Diamond are best viewed not as rigid frameworks but as tools in the broader toolbox of self-discovery. They offer lenses through which we can understand certain patterns in our behavior and preferences, but they shouldn’t be the only lenses we use.
Metamodernism’s emphasis on "sincere irony" allows us to engage with these tools critically and playfully. We can appreciate the insights they offer while also recognizing their limitations. The key is to use these tools as starting points for exploration rather than endpoints of identity.
For instance, understanding that I have a preference for Intuition over Sensing can help me recognize why I often focus on big-picture ideas and future possibilities rather than details and the present moment. However, I also acknowledge that I am not bound by this preference. There are times when I can and do engage in more sensing-focused activities, and this flexibility is important for my growth.
Moving Beyond Labels
Ultimately, the metamodern perspective invites us to move beyond the labels provided by the MBTI and engage with the broader narrative of who we are. We can appreciate the MBTI for the insights it offers while also recognizing that our identity is not static or confined to a single type.
By integrating the MBTI with other tools like the Enneagram, archetypes, and gestalt language processing, we can create a more holistic and dynamic understanding of ourselves. This approach allows us to embrace the complexity and fluidity of our identity, using these tools as guides on our journey of self-discovery.
In the end, the MBTI is a valuable tool—but it is just that, a tool. When used thoughtfully and in conjunction with other frameworks, it can help us navigate the complexities of our inner world without confining us to rigid definitions. This is the essence of the metamodern approach: embracing the paradoxes and contradictions of our personality, and using them to create a richer, more integrated sense of self.
Metamodernism and the Reframing of Personality Tools
As we’ve journeyed through the Enneagram, archetypes, and gestalt language processing, a common theme emerges: the value of these tools lies not in their ability to rigidly define who we are, but in how they guide us through the evolving narrative of our lives. This perspective is deeply aligned with the metamodern approach, which reframes the way we engage with these tools, embracing both their limitations and their potential.
Embracing Tools as Guides, Not Labels
Metamodernism, with its emphasis on "sincere irony," allows us to hold two seemingly contradictory ideas in balance: the skepticism of strict categorization and the appreciation of these tools as valuable guides for personal growth. From this perspective, personality tools like the Enneagram and archetypes are not about locking ourselves into specific types or paths. Instead, they offer frameworks that help us explore the fluid and multifaceted nature of our identity.
This reframing is crucial because it shifts our focus from seeking definitive answers to embracing the process of exploration. It encourages us to see these tools as starting points for deeper self-reflection, rather than endpoints that neatly categorize who we are. By using them as guides, we can navigate the complexities of our inner world with a sense of curiosity, openness, and adaptability.
The Dynamic Nature of Self-Discovery
One of the most powerful aspects of a metamodern approach to personality tools is its acknowledgment of the dynamic nature of self-discovery. Just as our experiences, relationships, and circumstances evolve, so too does our understanding of ourselves. This means that the types and paths we resonate with can change over time, reflecting the different phases of our personal journey.
For instance, as I shared earlier, my relationship with the Enneagram has been anything but static. Moving through different types—2, 5, 8, and now 4—has been a reflection of my evolving priorities, challenges, and growth. The metamodern perspective embraces this fluidity, recognizing that personal development is an ongoing process, not a destination.
By accepting that our identity is not fixed, we free ourselves from the pressure to conform to a particular type or path. Instead, we can use these tools to gain insights into our current state, explore new possibilities, and integrate different aspects of ourselves into a more cohesive whole.
The Role of Lived Experience
At the heart of this metamodern approach is the importance of lived experience. While traditional views might prioritize empirical validation, metamodernism values the insights and wisdom that come from personal experience. This means that the true worth of personality tools is not solely in their scientific validity, but in how they resonate with and enhance our understanding of ourselves.
For me, gestalt language processing has been instrumental in shaping how I engage with these tools. By focusing on the overall narrative and emotional resonance, I’m able to integrate the lessons of the Enneagram and archetypal frameworks into my lived experience, creating a personal mythology that reflects the complexity and richness of my journey.
This approach allows us to move beyond rigid frameworks and embrace the full spectrum of our experiences, recognizing that our personal growth is as much about the stories we tell ourselves as it is about the tools we use to explore them.
The Metamodern Invitation: A Call to Co-Creation
In many ways, the metamodern approach to personality tools is an invitation to co-create our understanding of self. It’s about engaging with these tools in a way that is both critically aware and deeply personal, using them to craft a narrative that is uniquely our own. This approach encourages us to be active participants in our self-discovery, continuously revising and expanding our understanding as we grow.
By reframing these tools as guides rather than labels, metamodernism invites us to embrace the complexity, ambiguity, and paradoxes of our inner world. It calls us to navigate the tensions between certainty and uncertainty, embracing the fluidity of our identity with both skepticism and sincerity.
In doing so, we move closer to a more integrated, holistic understanding of ourselves—one that honors the diversity of our experiences and the evolving nature of who we are becoming.
Note to Readers
If you're interested in diving deeper into the process of transformative identity development, including integration, deconstruction, and the ongoing journey of self-discovery, I invite you to follow along with my lived experience. Through OmniSyntra, I explore and document these themes in a way that intertwines personal growth with broader spiritual and psychological insights.
To Dig Deeper
Köhler, Wolfgang. Gestalt Psychology: An Introduction to New Concepts in Modern Psychology. Liveright Publishing Corporation, 1970.
Jung, Carl. Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious. Princeton University Press, 1981.
Myers, Isabel Briggs, and Peter B. Myers. Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type. Davies-Black Publishing, 1980.
Nardi, Dario. The Magic Diamond: 8 Paths for Self-Coaching. Radiance House, 2020.
Riso, Don Richard, and Russ Hudson. The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types. Bantam, 1999.