the inner quality you'retraining.The word or short phrase, similar to a mantra(Sanskrit for a sound designed to elicit aparticular inner state), represents the essence of the inner quality you're training.Every neuron pathway has its own trigger.The useful application of triggers is well-expressed in the following quote:I learned that physical postures can change my emotions. I noticed being more able tocapture the stability of type Eight when I came home and had to deal with my Six mother.I felt the strength in my body and just didn't react much. I found the Eight postures werehelpful in finding my personal power, which I really appreciate. The triggers are helpingme find physical integrity within myself when under attack, instead of feeling sovulnerable. C.K., type SixThe Five alluded to earlier most often embraced the neuron pathway for withdrawingduring social occasions. Not wanting to do that at a special event, she employed hertriggers.Last night I did my triggers before I gave a dinner party, and again before the 3rdbirthday party I gave for my daughter. As you know, social occasions can feel veryawkward to me, especially when one is the "mom" or the "little woman" expected to seeto everyone else's needs. However, instead of escaping to my bedroom to hide, I engagedmyself in the preparations slowly and methodically and in the obligatory small talkwithout any resentment or "checking out." I was interested to observe the sound of myvoice and the expression on my face were "sweet." There's no other word for it. I just feltreally sweet, like a Two, in relation to my guests, both the toddlers and the adults. I don'tthink I've ever explored that particular quality in myself, and it was completelyspontaneous. Consider this is a testimonial to this work! G.H, type FiveIn summary, the ability to engage our will includes the following steps: develop mindfulness expand our palette of options (when not at a choice point) by developing neuronpathways and their triggers which represent alternative inner states notice when we're at a choice point make a decision about how to respond do the trigger (the stance and word or short phrase) for that inner state which willenergize the corresponding neuron pathwayThis series of steps will elicit the desired inner state.With the desire to change, enough mindfulness to catch yourself during the "magicquarter second," and the use of triggers to develop emotional fluency, it becomes easierto engage your will and make positive change. Expansion of our choices brings us out ofcontraction and towards wholeness which is a key to living a joyful life.* Enneagram types. The Enneagram (ennea = nine in Greek) describes nine differentpersonality styles, each with a different set of strengths and challenges.Below are thumbnail descriptions of the nine styles to assist in understanding some of thelanguage in this article.Type One: The Perfectionist, The ReformerExcellent detail and organizational skills, logic and reasoning...may be too serious orcritical under stress.Type Two: The Giver, Helper, NurturerExcellent people skills, supportive and cheerful...may be intrusive or too needy understress.Type Three: The Achiever, PerformerMotivated, action-oriented and efficient...may be too competitive or image-consciousunder stress.Type Four: The Individualist, Artist, RomanticCreative, intuitive