The Enneagram

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="1552c963.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="mailto:wmeades@gmail.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:wmeades@gmail.com"><U><IMG SRC="6799c150.png" border=0 width="156" height="21" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://practicalspirituality.wordpress.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://practicalspirituality.wordpress.c"><U>Practical Spirituality Blog</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="counseling.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pastoral Counseling"><U>Making an Appointment</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="printableform.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Forms"><U>Information Form</U></A> </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="map.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Directions to Office"><U>Map to My Office</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="speaking.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Speaking and Teaching"><U>Speaking and Teaching</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="enneagram.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Enneagram"><U>The Enneagram</U></A> <A HREF="enneagram.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Enneagram"><U> </U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.wfmhc.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.wfmhc.org/"><U>Waco Foundation for Mental Health Care</U></A></div> <div> <B>____________________</B></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Practical Spirituality"><U>Home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="aboutme.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Me and My Work"><U>About Me and My Work</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personalspiritualdevelopment.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal and Spiritual Development"><U>Personal and Spiritual Development</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="helpfularticles.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Helpful Articles"><U>Helpful Articles</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="booksummaries.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Book Summaries"><U>Book Summaries</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="counseling.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pastoral Counseling"><U>Pastoral Counseling</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="premarriage.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Premarriage Counseling"><U>Premarriage Counseling</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id332.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Practical Spirituality Newsletter"><U>Practical Spirituality Newsletter</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="clericus.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Clericus"><U>Clericus</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id523.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DS Parenting Class"><U>DS Parenting Class</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://centexintergroup.org/schedule/schedule_local.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://centexintergroup.org/schedule/sch"><U>Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings Schedule</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personalspiritualdevelopment.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal and Spiritual Development"><U>Personal and Spiritual Development</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <div> <B>The Enneagram</B></div> <div> <I> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="603" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 254 ><NOBR><div> <I><IMG SRC="08cf0f70.png" border=0 width="240" height="247" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="296"><bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> The Enneagram is a fascinating personality inventory that many of my clients and students have found to be interesting and informative.  Richard Rohr describes the Enneagram in this way:</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></I></div> <bR> <div> <I>"The Enneagram is a very old typology that describes nine different characters. It shares with many other typologies the crude reduction of human behavior to a limited number of character types... All these models try - under different suppositions - to account for the experience that people are different, but that some individuals are surprisingly similar to one another. Each one of these typologies can be compared to a map, which has the purpose of facilitating the overview of the realm of the human soul... All typologies have the disadvantage of necessarily neglecting the uniqueness, originality, and peculiar nature of the individual... The discovery of regular patterns in human behavior has meaning only when at the same time the possibility of change and liberation from the pressure of determinacy comes into view. This possibility, I believe, is opened by the Enneagram. The Enneagram is a very old map. Like other typologies, it describes character types. But that is only the beginning. Beyond the description of conditions, the Enneagram contains an inner dynamic that aims at change. It demands a lot and is exhausting, at least when it is taught and carried out as originally intended. The Enneagram is more than an entertaining game for learning about oneself. It is concerned with change and making a turn - around, with what the religious traditions call conversion or repentance. It confronts us with compulsions and laws under which we live - usually without being aware of it - and it aims to invite us to go beyond them, to take steps into the domain of freedom."</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Richard Rohr and Andreas Ebert, </I><I><U>Discovering the Enneagram: An Ancient Tool for a New Spiritual Journey</U></I><I>, (1990)</I></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="770" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 1246 WIDTH="764"><div> If you want to determine your Enneagram "type," I recommend the following process...</div> <bR> <div> <B>I. TAKE AN ENNEAGRAM INVENTORY</B></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">There are a few free versions of the Enneagram on the web, but I recommend the following one: </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="http://similarminds.com/advtest.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://similarminds.com/advtest.html"><U><B>A Free Enneagram Inventory</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">For $10 you can take what I THINK is the most researched version by<B> </B><A HREF="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/Discover.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/Discov"><U><B>CLICKING HERE</B></U></A><B>. </B>  However, the free version scored me about the same as this $10 one.</div> <bR> <div> <B>II. IDENTIFY YOUR THREE HIGHEST SCORES FROM THE INVENTORY</B></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">There's never a guarantee that your highest score is an accurate indicator of your type, though if the highest score is significantly higher than the second highest, then I'd guess its a good bet that's your number.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">I also recommend that you pay attention to your lowest score, since this will give you insight into what traits are least represented in your personality.</div> <bR> <div> <B>III.  READ THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TYPES ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR THREE HIGHEST SCORES.</B></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">First, go to <A HREF="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com"><U>The Enneagram Institute</U></A> website, and click on the numbers associated with your three highest scores.  This will take you to a very brief description of what each type looks like its healthy, average, and unhealthy expressions.  You should get a pretty good idea of which type is the best fit for you from these.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Next, go to these more detailed type descriptions:</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="290" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 200 WIDTH="71"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="200" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="71" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="208"><div> <A HREF="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeOneOverview.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeOn"><U>Type One Overview</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeTwoOverview.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeTw"><U>Type Two Overview</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeThreeOverview.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeTh"><U>Type Three Overview</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeFourOverview.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeFo"><U>Type Four Overview</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeFiveOverview.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeFi"><U>Type Five Overview</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeSixOverview.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeSi"><U>Type Six Overview</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeSevenOverview.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeSe"><U>Type Seven Overview</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeEightOverview.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeEi"><U>Type Eight Overview</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeNineOverview.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeNi"><U>Type Nine Overview</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">It can be helpful to have someone who knows you well look at these also.  That person's opinion may help you confirm which type seems to be the description of you.</div> <bR> <div> <B>IV.  DECIDE HOW MUCH EFFORT YOU'RE WILLING TO COMMIT TO LEARNING FROM THE </B></div> <div> <B>       ENNEAGRAM.</B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="759" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 463 WIDTH="753"><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Download a free reference guide by registering at  <A HREF="http://www.enneagramworldwide.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.enneagramworldwide.com/"><U>Enneagram Worldwide</U></A>.  This site was developed by Helen Palmer, a respected Enneagram teacher.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The Enneagram Institute</U></A> has tons of resources for understanding your Enneagram type, and how to use it for personal growth.  This site includes a section on <A HREF="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/compatibility.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/compat"><U>Relationship Compatibilities</U></A>.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">My <A HREF="enneagramchart.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Enneagram Chart"><U>Enneagram Chart</U></A> is a compilation of info gleaned from several sites on the web.</div> <bR> <div> <B>V.  PAY ATTENTION TO DIRECTIONS OF INTEGRATION AND DISINTEGRATION.</B></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">An interesting aspect of the Enneagram which sets it apart from other personality inventories is its theory about personal growth.  Enneagram theory asserts that each type will have a tendency towards disintegration under stress.  The direction of disintegration moves against the arrows in the figure on the left.  For example, a One, when stressed out, will have a tendency to take on the characteristics of an unhealthy Four.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">In order to pursue integration, a person must consciously work towards incorporating the health aspects of the type towards which the arrow points.  A One, for example, can use the healthiest aspects of the Seven as a guide for personal growth.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Look at your direction of disintegration and your direction of integration.  In what ways does the theory fit, or not fit, your experience of yourself?</div> <div> <I><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Integration: </B></I><I><B>2 to 4 to 1 to 7 to 5 to 8 to 2    and     3 to 6 to 9 to 3</B></I></div> <div> <I><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b7011800000000.png" HEIGHT="19" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Disintegration: </B></I><I><B>2 to 8 to 5 to 7 to 1 to 4 to 2    and     3 to 9 to 6 to 3</B></I></div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="764"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="19" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="764" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>