It seems that across all Enneagram types the two highest development levels—level 1 and level 2—cannot be reached by direct effort alone. A person can actively work, struggle, and fight their patterns to climb as far as level 3, but beyond that point further progress depends on a different movement: letting go. Specifically, letting go of the type’s core or base fear appears to be the gateway that allows access to the liberated states of levels 1 and 2. Active striving gets you into the healthy range, but the pinnacle seems reserved for surrender rather than force.

This pattern points to a fundamental asymmetry in upward development within the Enneagram system. Similarly, Unhealthy Enneagram levels require trauma or abuse.