Personality Profiles

[Steve]

I've been reading a book about personality profiles this week, specifically Myers-Briggs. Having worked out my own profile (INTP for those who know anything about it), I was interested to read that a common characteristic of this profile is enjoying meditation! I guess this relates to the introspective aspect as well at the thinking aspect.

The introvert is said prefer sensing the world via their own internal interpretation of sensory input rather than directly sensing the world. Yet mindfulness seeks to connect us more directly with our senses rather than via our mental filters! Maybe mindfulness enable us to change or at least have more control over the personality aspects that we otherwise tend to exhibit?

Another reason a 'thinker' may enjoy meditation is because his internal (mental) world is usually highly complex and meditation provides some relief from this whilst at the same time improving clarity of mind (which enhances insight). The ability to become master of your own mind rather than letting the mind dictate your life, is another benefit.

All fascinating stuff!

Steve

[Gareth]

Well I used to be a bit of a thinker, but meditation changed all that for me. I much prefer being this way.

[Enigma]

I've also found that most of the meditation practitioners I know tend to fit the profile of INxx. Introverted (I) and intuitive (N) types are especially drawn to the practice of mindfulness for its tendency to encourage attending to internal processes. Aside from that, it seems to me that Thinkers/Feelers are about equally attracted to meditation. The same goes for Perceivers/Judgers.

As for myself, I'm an INTJ meditation enthusiast.

[BioSattva]

There's a guy in my office addicted to these profiles - he likes to pigeon-hole people and then make statements according to those profiles. There's something in me that recoils to define a person's personality in such concrete terms. Of course there are tendencies, but things can change - we all know introverts who swing the other way when given alcohol. Well what if something happens in their life that gives them the confidence and removes inhibitions in the same way?

Mark Williams' 'habit changer' approaches indicate the kind of psychological area we are working in when mindfulness enters the equation. People can easily have a change of heart - of mind, and thus aspects of their personality can change, it seems.

[JonW]

"There's something in me that recoils to define a person's personality in such concrete terms."
Ditto.
For me, pigeon-holing people leads to all kinds of problems down the line, including vast disappointment. Surely personality is too fluid to be so neatly pinned down. Surely mindfulness teaches us to respond to others in the moment, rather than react to any solid idea of them that we have created.

[Vixine]

As a therapist and someone interested in psychology, I have always found the personality profiles to be fascinating. Of course personalities are not rigid, and sure people change moment to moment and over the course of their lives, but I don't think there is any denying (at least to me) that there are different kinds of temperaments and I think Meyer's Briggs is just one interesting way to talk about it.

There are a lot of misconceptions about what the various parts actually mean - for example being a introvert does not mean you are never the life of the party, or don't have a lot of friends. It means that you gain your energy from being alone rather than being with people and you gain focus by processing things internally rather than externally. Everyone does a little of both, but it is about which way you lean and how far.

I can't tell you how many people I've counseled who thought they were weird or something was wrong with them because they were introverted. In western culture, being an extrovert is more valued and seen as "normal". It has been really helpful for a lot of people to have that term to help them accept this about themselves. Of course there is always a lot more to it than just a label, but labels can actually be helpful sometimes, as one tool towards understanding.

Steve, to answer your original post - I usually come out to be an INFJ. I have a lot of trouble with meditation and now that I think of it, I think that is because of my "J" - because I like things to be planned out and defined, and the practice and benefits of meditation are just not that way. Interesting insight, actually. Thanks for the post!

[mark_cdf]

I find Myers Briggs really fascinating and scarily accurate! Vixine makes a good point about misconceptions, the idea behind Myers Briggs is not that you are this way or that way but it helps you learn about your natural preferences. You can, and probably will, be any of the "types" in different situations and at different times, but will have a natural tendency or subconscious preference to a certain way. A good way to think about is is writing with your left hand (assuming you are right-handed) - you can do it, it might just feel less comfortable and not look so good. This is someone naturally introverted having to spend lots of time around other people with no time to "re-charge their batteries" in a given situation.

I'm also INFJ and I can relate to what Vixine says about liking things to be planned out. I've actually noticed myself becoming less worried about defined plans in my work and personal life since starting with meditation and learning to go with the flow a little more!

Interesting post! Thank you.
Mark