What is the Enneagram?
Beyond nature vs. nurture
Modern psychology understands personality as the result of a complex interaction between temperament (nature) and environment (nurture). The Enneagram not only explores and illuminates this psychological territory, but also adds a spiritual dimension to the study of personality, and with it, a great deal more meaning… meaning that touches us on a soul-deep level.
The Types— and you— have a spiritual origin.
You were born with a certain “temperament” that in its very nature reveals the particular spiritual gifts that are your birthright.
Your “personality” is not who you are. It’s how you cope with the life you’ve been given, by relying on genuine strengths that have their origin in the Essential Qualities in the diagram.
This is healthy and necessary, but at some point in our development our coping strategies harden into a false self: a social role, a certain way of being that feels like “me” but is actually compulsive, unquestioned, and disconnected from both spirit and soul.
The Types are just the beginning.
The Type names in this diagram are fairly easy to recognize in people we know. It can be fun and interesting to figure out where we fit on this map, to learn about the various traits and characteristics, and to be able see ourselves and others more clearly.
Even at this most basic entry point, the Enneagram distinguishes itself from other typologies by the uncanny accuracy and psychological depth of its descriptions.
As fascinating and insightful as learning the Types can be, it’s just the beginning. When we add in a practice of self-observation, inquiry, and embodied experimentation, the deeper purpose of the Enneagram begins to reveal itself.
The Enneagram is an invitation to the realm of truth.
Much more than a typology, a test, or a tool, the Enneagram is a repository for the truth of what it means to be human. I visit the Enneagram (like I might visit a dear friend or a favorite place) when I’m caught in a repeating pattern and I want to understand myself or others better.
The wisdom of the Enneagram always reveals objective truths about how I am perceiving and contributing to whatever situation I find myself in. With greater clarity, the way forward comes into view.
The Enneagram describes in vivid detail what it looks like and feels like when we are “asleep” in the false self, versus when we are more Present and connected with our true, Essential nature. Learning to discriminate between the two is a foundational practice of working with the Enneagram.
Should I take an Enneagram test?
You can certainly take an Enneagram test if you enjoy taking personality tests, but please hold your results lightly. The Enneagram, like a human being, is complex, nuanced, and multilayered. We all have all nine types in us, to varying degrees. And there is one that holds the key to our most profound awakening.
The only way to discover your dominant type for sure is to study the type descriptions closely (an experienced Enneagram teacher or guide is invaluable at this stage!) while developing a practice of self-awareness and self-honesty.
Yes, this is much harder than just taking a test! But relying on the test to tell you your Type is not very useful, unless it ignites your curiosity to learn more, and you remain open to the idea that the test could be inaccurate.
The process of looking inward to discover your type is your initiation into the work. This is where it all begins.
Next steps…
If you’ve done a bit of exploring and you feel ready to take a deeper dive, the most efficient use of your time is to book a private session. Most people do find their type, or narrow it down to two or three, in the first session. I can help you see where the Enneagram can be of practical use in your life and guide you toward next steps. After our first session, you can decide if you want to continue meeting and how often.
“I met Jenny during a significant crossroads in my life. I started with private sessions and later attended many amazing retreats. I often say that she has been one of the most influential people in my life. Jenny’s wisdom, teachings, and care have enabled me to start and continue my spiritual journey; I am a happier, more fulfilled person because of her.”
— SUZANNE W.
“Jenny is very well versed in the Enneagram and is able to teach it in a way that is practically applicable in your daily life. Two of the most striking qualities about Jenny are her relatability and her generosity with her knowledge. She gave us so much more than we paid for. I highly recommend her to anyone who is interested in inner work at the next level.”
— ANGELA M.