INFJ Responses

Continued from ​INFJ - Personality Type

Members of Facebook discussion groups responded to my post from
'INFJ - Personality Type'. A portion of those threads follow.

Elizabeth Hill 
Interesting. I would love to see someone delve into this topic of spirituality and the different personality types. I would be curious to know how my type in particular has influenced my spiritual evolution.

Gary R. Smith
We could delve together. I just wrote a response on Practical Metaphysics, where my post is also published. That has a different angle than your question, but it feels related. I need more time to ponder the connection between spiritual development and one's personality type.

Following my response to Kathleen is an expansion of my earlier comments, which may also apply.

Kathleen Nowlin Morrison 
I'm an INFP too --- but this has recently begun to make me wonder...for almost all my planets in astrology are considered male/extroverted/assertive -- whichever word one might use to describe the sign they fall in. Anyone know if there should be a connection?

G. - To better understand your question, I searched for further explanation of the difference between my primary personality type, INFJ, and yours, INFP (with which I am borderline). I am not clear why you feel there is a contradiction between your personality type and your astrological tendencies. I found this:

'The fourth criterion, Judging – Perceiving, reflects how a person implements the information he or she has processed. Judging means that a person organizes all of his life events and, as a rule, sticks to his plans. Perceiving means that he or she is inclined to improvise and explore alternative options.'

Based on my experience of myself rather than the test results, in the above point I am more INFP. This did not clarify your question for me, so I will use some thinking/feeling process.

My wife and I both tested INFJ. Her astrological sign is Leo, with a Capricorn ascendant. Mine is Gemini, with a Taurus ascendant. Culturally, she is from the former East Germany and I am from Colorado, mid-western America.

Genetics and environment of upbringing are strong contributing factors, of course. Our approaches to many things and ways of thinking are very different, even conflicting or polar opposites, but in our spiritual depths we are the same. One might think that with the same personality type we would be more alike in our ways of relating and acting. But, we human beings are complex!

Introversion is complex in itself. Elaine Aron wrote that what Jung termed introversion is in many persons actually high sensitivity. She began researching high sensitivity in 1991 and also calls it Sensory-Processing Sensitivity (SPS, the trait’s scientific term). She offers a free self test from her site.

Not that this addresses your question, which still eludes me. I feel there is more to this, and it is worthwhile to explore. If you agree, would you please share with me your astrological sign and ascendant and tell me how you see its tendencies conflicting with your personality type?

Expanded Thoughts

The inner landscape where I do my Work is devoid of personality. It is the rich land of the authentic nature, the greater self, the unmoved mover, the PMF (Present Moment Frequency) and the 'constant sun beaming unconditional love.' These are what – not who – I am.

The inner landscape and the personality are connected — like the earth is to the weather on its surface. In balance, the personality expresses the inner landscape, and the constant sun within beams warmth through the personality 'without.'

Personality types are likened in a metaphorical sense to sixteen micro-climates connected and more or less aligned with the inner landscape. This is not evident in human activity due to 'weather disturbances' between the inner landscape and individual personalities. Most live the 'who,' not the 'what' they are.

Within personality type micro-climates are localized weather patterns of individual and collective thoughts and emotions, which sometimes collide and create storms for cleansing or destruction. Living from the inner landscape (the what) can calm the storm (the who) and bring the light of day.

G. - Kathleen, you wrote, 'First off, I want to thank you both very much for taking time to respond.'

You are very welcome. After all, from my perspective, you are me and I am you and whatever any of us does to help one another on their journey helps all.

All any of us can do, when reaching out to help others, is offer what we know from our own realm of experience. A shaman offers words from her world, an astrologer from his, a religious person from still another perspective. Sometimes their worlds overlap. On my journey, I have developed a way of seeing that is unlike any I have encountered. Not that it is unique, I just don't know of another like it. And it continually evolves. Until yesterday, whenever I used the term 'inner landscape,' I meant it as the human psyche. 

But yesterday 'something happened,' and suddenly, without thinking, I realized the inner landscape is 'the rich land of the authentic nature, the greater self, the unmoved mover, the PMF (Present Moment Frequency) and the 'constant sun beaming unconditional love.' These are what – not who – I am.' 

Now it is clearer to me that my work is to live and act from that inner landscape, which is devoid of personality. I am not saying this is the way for anyone else, only that it is the way I am on. What may be more difficult for 'others' to accept is that there is only one inner landscape. It is not yours and mine, because we are connected to one and the same. This is an unfolding realization.

You wrote, 'So much so that I am in constant protection mode because I take on emotions that are not even mine to the point they are harmful and I actually feel ownership of them. Not sure if that makes sense....'

It makes sense. I am much the same, and my wife is as sensitive as you indicate you are, so I have first-hand experience with it.

You wrote, 'I need to find a way to use that Mercury and communicate without hiding my true self.'

Blessings on your journey!

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Note: These conversation threads are on Practical Metaphysics and Awakening Community. Both are 'Closed Groups' and require joining to read.

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