"The enneagram is a very old typology that describes nine different characters. It shares with many other typologies the crude reduction of human behaviour 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 behaviour 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 repentence. 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."

If you want to determine your Enneagram "type," I recommend the following process...

I. TAKE AN ENNEAGRAM INVENTORY

There are a few free versions of the enneagram on the web, but I recommend the following one:

A Free Enneagram Inventory

For $10 you can take what I THINK is the most researched version by CLICKING HERE. However, the free version scored me about the same as this $10 one.

II. IDENTIFY YOUR THREE HIGHEST SCORES FROM THE INVENTORY

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.

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.

III. READ THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TYPES ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR THREE HIGHEST SCORES.

First, go to The Enneagram Institute 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.

Next, go to these more detailed type descriptions:

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.

IV. DECIDE HOW MUCH EFFORT YOU'RE WILLING TO COMMIT TO LEARING FROM THE

ENNEAGRAM.

Download a free reference buide by registering at Enneagram Worldwide. This site was developed by Helen Palmer, a respected Enneagram teacher.

The Enneagram Institute has tons of resources for understanding your Enneagram type, and how to use it for personal growth. This site includes a section on Relationship Compatibilities.

My Enneagram Chart is a compiliation of info gleaned from several sites on the web.

V. PAY ATTENTION TO DIRECTIONS OF INTEGRATION AND DISINTEGRATION.

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.

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 heathiest apsects of the Seven as a guide for personal growth.

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?

Integration: 2 to 4 to 1 to 7 to 5 to 8 to 2 and 3 to 6 to 9 to 3

Disintegration: 2 to 8 to 5 to 7 to 1 to 4 to 2 and 3 to 9 to 6 to 3