What is the Enneagram?

The Enneagram is an ancient teaching and philosophy, which today is known as a sacred psychology. It is capable of revealing stunning insights into our lives and those of our loved ones. The Enneagram is an intricate and precise map of human consciousness, one of the oldest known to man, it can in fact be traced back 2,500 years. So it is nothing new! The Enneagram is not a closed system; it has a universal, even cosmic complexity that requires depth of recognition, study and understanding.

The Enneagram describes 9 perspectives on Reality, 9 very different psychological mindsets, 9 different emotional tendencies and 9 ethical values or gifts from which actions or behaviours occur. The world looks very different to each of the 9 points on the Enneagram as we all look through diverse lens of perception.

Each of the 9 perspectives provides a pathway through life, with all the intuition, gifts and enjoyment on one hand and blind spots, pitfalls and obstacles on the other. From the completeness of Reality each pathway or perspective highlights certain information in consciousness whilst other equally important information falls through awareness. Each perspective has its own integrity, compassion values and ethical action, with its own distinctive way of thinking, feeling, and understanding in the world.

The Enneagram can help us become familiar with our innate gifts and blessings, that which are derived from our Essence or our true nature of being. Where we sit on the Enneagram diagram indicates our predisposition toward certain facets of life. Our position has become known as our point or type. This knowledge helps us to understand and appreciate the predisposition that each point has for higher human capacities such as wisdom, integrity, humility, honesty, compassion, forgiveness, understanding, faith, bliss, truth and love.

It is vital that in focussing too much attention on the 9 personality types not overlook this larger context.

If you know yourself, your thoughts, the way your mind works, youre predominant and easily available feelings, your motivations, behaviours and desires you are in a better position to act from mindfulness rather than a habitual or compulsive state.

When we can lend ourselves to anothers point of view, a deeper understanding occurs, leading to appreciation and compassion, productivity and confidence.

Recall the ancient philosopher Socrates stating; Know Thyself

Elizabeth Dugmore

6 Prospect Road Walmer
Port Elizabeth
6070

T/F 041 581 6580 enneagramsouthafrica@telkomsa.net