Enneagram Introduction
The Enneagram (“any-a-gram”) is a way of looking at personality types: what motivates us to behave in the way we do, and how we can work with the hand life has dealt us.
The origins of the Enneagram are complex. We know that elements of it have existed for thousands of years, and echoes can be found in many of the earliest philosophical theories. The system as we know it today was further developed throughout the 20th century. It helps people of every faith or none to gain self-knowledge and awareness. It is widely used in spiritual development and by retreat houses.
The system teaches that we are each one of nine basic personality types (some of which will now be pooh-poohing this possibility…). Each type is ‘coloured’ by external influences and internal pressures. For example, an individual of type ‘One’ who is enjoying a relaxed and happy stage of life will look very different from a type One who is stressed and depressed. But both individuals will behave and think in similar ways and display the same underlying patterns.
This isn’t a system for putting you in a box – it shows you the box you’re already in and helps you lift the lid.
