Spiritual Direction & the Enneagram
The Enneagram
What is it?
The Enneagram is an ancient personality typing system and tool for spiritual growth comprised of nine personality types, which are identified by the numbers one – nine. The prefix “ennea” comes from the Greek word for “nine.” One of the defining features that sets it apart from other personality typing systems is that it is based on motivations rather than behaviors. For this reason, tests are often inaccurate; it is usually more effective to determine one’s Enneagram type by learning about it and discovering which one fits the best.
Another distinguishing feature of the Enneagram is that it is dynamic, meaning that it describes movement. While each person’s personality type is based on a core motivation that does not change, the lines shown in the Enneagram symbol represent the ways each number tends to take on the energy of other numbers for support in stress or for holistic healing when we are feeling more at ease. We also may take on some of the energy of either or both numbers on either side of our core number.
What is it not?
The Enneagram is not the only or even the most important tool for spiritual growth. It is not a way to put yourself or others in a box, and it is not based on behaviors. The Enneagram is one of many tools that can be used for personal and spiritual growth.
The Enneagram in Spiritual Direction
The Enneagram can be helpful in spiritual direction because it is a tool for spiritual growth. It helps us identify and name our core and secondary motivations. It also points to predictable patterns of behavior that we have employed to protect ourselves in the world.
As we grow and mature, we may find that these patterns of protective behaviors are no longer serving us well; though they were once helpful, they may begin to do more harm than good to us and to our relationships. At this point, we are ripe for deep transformation if we will allow it.
A key element of Enneagram work involves nonjudgmental self-observation, which increases our self-awareness. As we become more aware of what we’re doing and why we’re doing it, we also begin to develop awareness of the possibility of other options or ways of being in the world. Instead of reacting without thinking, we can learn to respond from a grounded, balanced place that is informed by the wisdom from all three centers of intelligence–the thinking center, the feeling center, and the intuitive center. In this space, we are choosing how to respond instead of simply falling into our well-established patterns of behavior.
The power to choose a response instead of reacting brings about a new sense of freedom and agency. Freedom involves choice, and choice often comes from awareness. This fits well with spiritual direction, where the primary goal is to grow in freedom. Like other wisdom tools and teachings, Enneagram work involves a paradox of surrender (“I can be with reality without trying to control it.”) combined with agency (“I can choose how I respond and have compassion for myself when I don’t respond the way I wish I had.”).
In spiritual direction, we can work on nonjudgmental self-observation, noticing our habitual patterns, and exploring the ways and reasons we have protected ourselves. Many people grow in self-compassion as they begin to understand their own behaviors better. We can notice together where these patterns show up in our bodies and how our bodies signal to us when we are reacting versus when we are responding. This fits in with the Ignatian idea of noticing what draws us and what repels us as we seek to bring our whole, true selves before the Holy for healing.
My Enneagram training & experience
I have found the Enneagram to be radically transformative and helpful in my own life and relationships. I am proud to be an International Enneagram Association Accredited Professional and have learned from and worked for Enneagram teacher Suzanne Stabile, who learned the Enneagram from Fr. Richard Rohr. Additionally, I have taken courses from The Narrative Enneagram, which incorporates a more somatic approach.
I have taught the Enneagram to groups at an introductory level and have guided small groups through deeper Enneagram work. I also find great value in using the Enneagram as a tool for one-on-one work in spiritual direction. Because of my personal experience and training, I am equipped and eager to help folks who want to do Enneagram work as a part of their healing journey.
Questions?
If you have questions about spiritual direction or would like to check availability for a meet and greet, please contact me below. I look forward to hearing from you!
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Lindsay L. O'Connor 