Enneagram Book

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Have you ever heard about the Enneagram and wondered what it is? Or have you read a book or article about the study of the enneagram and wondered to yourself why the enneagram matters at all?

To those who take the time to study and understand the enneagram, there is so much to be learned.

I was introduced to the study by my girlfriend who came across a tape set that talked about the “nine types of people.” At that time in my life, I really didn’t want to hear anything more about “types of people” or having anyone put in a box. It sounded a lot like astrology- which I casually enjoyed reading over coffee- but never took much stock in.

Nonetheless, my girlfriend listened to the tapes and convinced me to listen to a few. They were amazing. The descriptions of the types of people seemed to cut straight to the soul of the person. They showed me why my brother approached the world like a competition, why I could never sit still and felt the need to travel, why my Mom shopped so much, and much more.

So, I thought the tapes were interesting. I can totally guess what type someone is. Wow. Ok. So that’s what the enneagram is about I thought.

I was wrong.

The real importance of the study of the enneagram came along after I spent a long weekend at a conference put on by Helen Palmer. The way the conference was held, it gave you a deeper look into how you, yourself, operate in a way that is more objective than any other way I’ve ever heard of. It seems to pull the curtains away from your eyes. You can’t hide from yourself anymore. It is really hard to describe.

“The Enneagram can be extremely useful to everyone as a source of self-knowledge because it acts as a kind of “mirror” to reveal features of our personality that normally are invisible to us. Most of the time, people function habitually, as if on “automatic pilot,” according to the pattern of their basic personality type. Usually this allows people to get along well enough in their lives, but when their normal routines break down or the stresses of their lives increase too much, their normal way of coping also tends to break down or become dysfunctional. Seeing clearly what our habitual patterns are—seeing what we are doing and why we are doing it, and at what cost to ourselves and others—holds the key to our liberation. By knowing your type correctly, you are able to see yourself—to “catch yourself in the act”—as you move throughout the day. With this increased self-awareness, you are also able to avoid reacting in negative and potentially dangerous ways.”

From a spiritual standpoint, the Enneagram became the most powerful (and unlikely) tool I have ever come across to help me understand my loved ones and myself. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. When you study further, and practice the things you’ve learned, it feels like taking the first steps on the journey toward finding your feet grounded in a sense of wellbeing.

But finding what really matters in the Enneagram is such a personal experience.  I’d love for you to leave a note below in the comments section to tell me what exactly the enneagram means to you.  Thanks!

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