The Enneagram: What is it, and How Can it Help Me?

"The Road Back to You"

This is a review of the most recently book I am reading "The Road Back to You" by Ian Morgan Cron, and Suzanne Stabile. What a great read! I have done a number of self assessments, tests and research on personalities, but found this book to be refreshing, different and interesting. To be honest I had not been familiar with the enneagram, until two people within a week highly recommended it. So, given my weakness for books, I just had to buy it. And I'm glad I did. I will attempt to address two basic questions about the Enneagram. What is the Enneagram? And how can it benefit me?

What is the enneagram?

The authors did a nice job introducing this. "The Enneagram is an ancient personality typing system. It helps people understand who they are and what makes them tick" (pg.10) It defines and identifies Nine Personality Types that are expressed individually and in relationship to those around you. Unlike most assessment tools such a the DiSC, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the Enneagram acts as a unique tool for better understanding and exploring human behavior, motives, and the underlying drive for behavior. It also addresses the abilities we all have for transforming negative behavior toward individuals in our lives to more positive behaviors. The personality types are listed below in three triads. The following diagram and triad layouts are taken from Suzanne Stabile's site.

THE ANGER / GUT TRIAD 8. The Challenger 9. The Peacemaker 1. The Perfectionist

THE FEELING / HEART TRIAD 2. The Helper 3. The Performer 4. The Individualist

THE FEAR / HEAD TRIAD 5. The Investigator 6. The Loyalist 7. The Enthusiast

"The purpose of the Enneagram is to develop self-knowledge and learn how to recognize and dis-identify with the parts of our personalities that limit us so we can be reunited with our truest and best selves..." " The Enneagram teaches that there are nine different personality styles in the world, one of which we naturally gravitate toward and adopt in childhood to cope and feel safe" (pg24.)

• It's origin. According to these authors the Enneagram has a somewhat sketchy background. It presumably goes back to a Christian monk named Evagrius whose teachings later became known as the Seven Deadly Sins. The mothers and fathers of the 14th century used it for spiritual counseling. In the early 1970's a Chilean named Oscar Ichazo made significant changes and contributions to the Enneagram as well as an American trained psychiatrist named Claudio Naranjo, who weaved insights into it drawn from modern psychology. It was brought to the United States, and taught at the Loyola Seminary in California by Father Robert Ochs. It was soon recognized by clergy, spiritual directors, retreat leaders, and lay people as a helpful tool for Christian spiritual formation. (Pg10,11.)

• It's validity: These authors report there is no extensive scientific evidence that proves the Enneagram to be a reliable measure of personality. However it is known that millions of people have benefited from its measure. A quick internet search about the Enneagram will result in a number of different options. My first read of this book was very enlightening and validated my own understanding of my personality. It also validated and was congruent with other personality assessments results I took. By reading the book, I was able to identify what my personality type was without much difficulty.

How Can the Enneagram Help Me?

The Enneagram can be helpful in a number of ways. Not only will it help you understand yourself, but you will also learn how you function when competent. It is very beneficial to understand how your personality interacts with others, whether its in a marriage relationship, or in a work relationship. In addition to the three groups/triads referenced above, they also discuss in detail what type of function we take on when under stress.

Here is a free shortened Enneagram self assessment survey with 38 questions. I believe for the full version, there is a cost involved. I took the assessment which indicated the same primary personality I had previously determined when I read this book.

"The Road Back to You" will help you discover your true self. I was intrigued with the authors' exploration of how early childhood experiences influence our formation of personalities. I would highly recommend this book. It's the kind of book you will want to go back to often for review and for discussion purposes.