Nine Frequently Asked Questions

1) Is the Enneagram a religion?

So far, we have no convincing evidence that the Enneagram originated within any particular religious tradition. One of the selling points of the Enneagram, so to speak, as a symbol, map, and vehicle for the integration of psychology and spirituality, as well as the development of higher states of consciousness, is that it can be usefully combined with long-established and widely-known traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism. Despite speculation to the contrary, as far as we know the symbol has always been associated with the natural desire to grow into our full potential as human beings, not with religious dogma and doctrine.

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2) Where then did the Enneagram come from?

The truth is we just don’t know. Many Enneagram teachers think that it originally was ‘revealed’ from on high. As of now, we have no archaeological evidence for the sacred symbol, as we would expect if it were known and used by the Egyptians, Chaldeans, Sufis, or ancient Indians, for example, or the later Greco-Roman mystery schools. There is some useful speculative information in Ouspensky’s In Search of the Miraculous, where he quotes Gurdjieff‘s opinions on the topic. If one continues to be interested in origins there are several good articles online, published by respected
teachers such as Russ Hudson. What is important for the beginning student to know is that there is no evidence that the ancient world used the symbol as we do now--to map the integration of our deepest and most useful psychological insights with our most profound and inspiring spiritual understandings.

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3) Do I need any special preparation to begin studying the Enneagram?

No, a relatively open mind, loving heart and relaxed body are all that is required. People are attracted to Enneagram studies when they are ready and willing to take a hard look at themselves, warts and all. Many come to the system in midlife, somewhere between 35 and 55 yrs. of age, when old patterns are becoming frustrating, and our fixations of the mind and passions of the heart are crying for transformation. In addition, we find people who have been on their spiritual paths for longer periods of time, and are beginning to wonder why they are not experiencing more embodied and permanent realization. In other words, why they have been finding it difficult to actually live the spiritual teachings that they have been diligently studying and practicing, with or without a spiritual teacher.

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4) Is it better to be one Type than another?

Although the diagram is usually depicted in the vertical position, with Point 9 up at the top and Points 4 and 5 down at the bottom, there is actually no numerical hierarchy of values and functions. It might help the student to visualize the diagram horizontally, and then imagine King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table (or a table that includes women too!), where everybody has their unique place and function in the realm. The world needs leaders, healers and educators. The world needs visionaries, artists, realists, troubleshooters, caretakers, and more. Likewise, it seems that the world needs all nine Types in order to function smoothly and effectively. Each has its own Gifts of Spirit and Essential Qualities, as well as its own ‘problem set’ of  challenges and difficulties. 

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5) Is it possible to change Type?

Just as it is not easy to change our eye color or body type, most people in the Enneagram community believe that our dominant Type does not change throughout our life. Empirical and anecdotal research demonstrate convincingly that people are
either born with a Type in place or are strongly predisposed to developing into a specific Type by the time they have separated and individuated from the mother-figure at about two to three years of age. Evidence of Type often wanes between ages six or seven until puberty. Then Type emerges more strongly and obviously during adolescence, and become easier to see and understand. Many Enneagram students realize that they were versions of their Type even when they were children (just ask their parents, friends and teachers!). It is well known that often beginners would rather see themselves as an evolved exemplar of a Type they are not than an average or less evolved exemplar of the Type they actually are. Instead of wanting to be another Type, our work is to become more evolved and conscious versions of our own Type. 

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6) Do I change my Type lifetime after lifetime?

The Enneagram is a complex, multi-layered symbol and system of psychological growth and spiritual development. But it does not have anything to say, at least not
explicitly, about the phenomenon of reincarnation. There are individuals and groups that believe that the soul returns to Earth many times in order to learn lessons and evolve, that during the course of planetary evolution humans must eventually experience living in and through all nine Types, perhaps multiple times. That would explain why older souls seem to naturally possess a deeper understanding of the these nine major ways of being and becoming.  However, all of this is hard to prove, and it is possible to work with the Enneagram without any metaphysical speculations.

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7) How do I know that I have typed myself correctly?

The Type that we actually are is the one that is the most explanatory and useful in terms of helping us understand and transform our patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviors. We can be helped to recognize our correct Type by loving and knowledgeable others, but at the end of the day we have to recognize and validate our own Type in order for it to really hit home and affect our daily reality in any sort of deep and long-lasting way. Usually there is a major "aha" experience.  The typing process can lead to feelings of both elation and sadness because we see more clearly how we operate, and what is generating both positive and negative behaviors. As a general rule of thumb, if a person initially has only positive thoughts and feelings about their own Type, then they are probably off track. 

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8) Should I learn about the other eight Types?

Yes, absolutely. Most students begin by finding and learning about their own place on the diagram. Down the road it is appropriate and exciting to study and understand the attributes, psychodynamics, interrelationships, passions and virtues, fixations and spiritual gifts, subtypes and more, of the remaining eight Types. We have these other Types in our intimate relationships, families, circles of friends and co-workers. Knowledge of our own Type bias can aid us in understanding and accounting for differing points of view, communicating more effectively and compassionately, and ultimately healing the divisions between people and nations that contribute to conditions of fear, anger and sorrow. Attending workshops, retreats and presentations (rather than just reading books and articles) is a very good way to become exposed to and learn from various Type exemplars (educated self-observers) who are willing to publicly share their experiences and perspectives. 
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9) How does one use knowledge of the Enneagram to grow psychologically and spiritually?

At first one learns about the system as a whole and one’s place on the diagram. However it happens, recognition and validation of one’s dominant Type is crucial because it opens the door to the other eight Types. But that is just the beginning. In the early 1900s Gurdjieff talked about the need for self-study, self-observation and self-work, and this is still the case in the 21st century. First, we learn about our own Type structure. Then we engage in attention training practices, both general and Type-specific, otherwise known as cultivating the art of self-observation coupled with knowledge of Type. The goal is to observe, moment by moment, our habits of mind, heart and body. That way, we can reduce our own personal reactivity and can respond more appropriately to internal and external situations, rather than simply “going on automatic”. Later, self-observation can be supplemented with conscious work on self by having a teacher or group suggest practices and exercises custom tailored to the needs of the student. 

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