The roots of the Enneagram can be traced back centuries. This circular figure with nine points is more complex and dynamic than it first appears. Our understanding of it continues to evolve. People work with it for 25 years and say they still feel like novices. So why bother?
I was first introduced to the Enneagram by a Roman Catholic Dominican nun in the mid-1980s. I learned that Catholic clergy value the deep spirituality of the Enneagram and its accuracy for reflecting human behavior. I was intrigued but had no further experience with the transformational tool until 2018 when I began my Anamcara Apprenticeship with the Sacred Art of Living Center (SALC) in Bend, OR. SALC uses the Enneagram in training Anamcara (soul friends) and spiritual directors because it offers insights into behavior and motivation unlike any other system.
After graduating from the Anamcara Apprenticeship in June 2020, I decided to continue my study of the Enneagram. Here are just a few of the gifts I receive from using the Enneagram:
- In alignment with my Catholic roots, I see not only Jesus but myself and others as both fully human and fully divine. With the Enneagram, I understand my human side more clearly, helping me honor my divine self in my behavior.
- The Enneagram illuminates our motivations, enabling me to make better conscious choices in my actions and responses.
- My awareness to look beyond others’ behavior to their possible motivation gives me a greater capacity for compassion.
- The Enneagram offers me a language to express my feelings, challenges, and growth with like-minded friends.
- Effective use of the Enneagram enhances relationships, as demonstrated by its application beyond spiritual communities to workplaces and secular organizations.
Yes, the Enneagram is complex and multifaceted. I think of it like attending symphony concert. While familiarity with the instruments and musical composition may enhance one’s appreciation of a performance, the experience is uplifting regardless of the listener’s knowledge. I was amazed by the Enneagram’s clarity when I began my study, and its value grows with each new insight I receive.
If you’d like to learn more about the Enneagram, there are many resources available through books, websites, podcasts, and videos. Visit my website for an Enneagram overview or for specific resources.