The Enneagram

The origins of the Enneagram (The word means Nine Points or Positions and comes from the Greek) are lost in the mists of time. It is said to be 2000 years old. The concept of three Centres of energy were known to the early Christian Fathers. Enneagram typing was used by the Islamic Suffi Masters in instructing their pupils in self-knowledge as a means of spiritual growth. Until around 1960 it was handed down as an oral tradition but since 1970 a number of text books have appeared especially in the US and it has been developed as a tool for self awareness by Christian Spirtual Directors. It is also used in the States for business, therapy, medicine and for personal development.
According to the Ennagram theory we all act predominantly from one of three Centres of energy, the Gut Centre,the Heart Centre or the Head Centre.

Each Centre contains three personality Types making up nine basic personality types in all. Table One below illustrates the three Centres of energy and the three personality Types they contain.

Table One The Enneagram personality Centres and Types and Strongest Sense(s).
Descriptions are based on those used by Mahon (1998)(1).

It should be noted that the one of the strongest senses for people acting from the Gut Centre is Hearing. Therefore it might be anticipated that people in this Centre, i.e the Leader , the Mediator or the Perfectionist are likely to be those most sensitive to annoyance due to environmental noise.

Reference

1. D Mahon. (1998) "Full face to God-An introduction to the Enneagram" Darton Longman and Todd, London. 1998 (1)

For more information on all aspects of the enneagram, on tests for finding your Type, Courses, bibliography etc, contact The International Enneagram Association on

www.internationalenneagram.org/enneagram.htm

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