Enneagram

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The Enneagram is a tradition of spiritual psychology that, amongst many other applications, indicates nine distinct yet dynamically interrelated human personality types. Its diametric figure - an 'enneagram' or 'enneagon' - consists of a circle enclosing an equilateral triangle and an irregular hexagon that meet in nine points around the circle's circumference.

Whilst some people have claimed that the Enneagram is based on ancient principles, especially those from Sufi mysticism, its first definitely established form comes from the Bolivian teacher Oscar Ichazo and his system of 'Protoanalysis'. Ichazo and his students - firstly in Arica, Chile and later in the United States - established the Arica Institute.

Most current Enneagram teaching is derived directly or indirectly from the Chilean psychiatrist Claudio Naranjo who first learned it from Ichazo in Arica. The Enneagram figure's first established use is found in the teachings of the Greek-Armenian teacher G. I. Gurdjieff. It is speculated by some that the Enneagram figure (possibly a variant of Chaldean seal) is from the times of Pythagoras.

The nine types are often known by certain names that capture a dominant aspect of the personality - such as:

1 – Perfectionist, Reformer, Critic
2 – Helper, Caregiver, Advisor
3 – Achiever, Performer, Motivator
4 – Romantic, Individualist
5 – Observer, Thinker, Investigator
6 – Loyalist, Trooper, Devil's Advocate
7 – Adventurer, Epicure, Optimist, Enthusiast
8 – Challenger, Leader, Advocate
9 – Mediator, Abdicator, Peacemaker

The various Enneagram teachers and theorists sometimes have differences in their approach and interpretation.

The nine types overlap each other both in the circle of the enneagon (Type Ones may have personality aspects from Types Nine and Two, for example), forming 'wings' and also following the figure's internal lines to indicate the to 'stress points' and 'security points'. Every type has three main variants based on sexual, social, and self-preservation instincts.

Ichazo also correlates the 'ego-fixations' of the personality types to the Seven deadly sins, with the addition of 'deceit' at Point Three and 'fear' at Point Six.

These nine deadly sins correspond to the personality ego-fixations as follows:

1 – Anger / Resentment
2 – Pride
3 – Deceit
4 – Envy
5 – Avarice
6 – Fear
7 – Gluttony
8 – Lust
9 – Sloth

The use of the Enneagram has brought criticism from various quarters, including comparisons to astrology. Its possible esoteric origins have both brought out ideas of spiritual growth and spread both popularity and alarm in some religious circles, especially in the Roman Catholic Church.

Enneagram

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