Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?

Jesus answered: It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him. (John 9:13)

Introduction to the ENNEAGRAM

[A Simple Talk Given to the PYC of Tayawan, Holy Tuesday, April 19, 2011]

Activity
1. I have met the enemy and he is me. (Superman III) 2. Spiderman III (black) with great power comes great responsibility 3. The Ego (Self)/ Seven Years in Tibet: You westerners, you praise people who conquered mountains, but we Tibetans, we praise people who conquered themselves. 4. Inner Space vs Outer Space (Loob vs Labas) 5. What is my zodiac sign? 6. Flames? 7. Armaggedon/W. v. Goethe: I am afraid to cast away the demons from my heart or else my angels will flee also. 8. Who is the man in the mirror? 9. Why am I afraid to tell you who I am? (John Powell, SJ) 10. Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all (George Benson)

Discussion
1. What mask do I wear today? [Greek theater] 2. If I were an animal, what am I? 3. What games do I play in life?

Input: Brief History

The beginning of the Enneagram is not accurately known. Like other artifacts of religious significance, it too is shrouded by mystery, historical inquiry, and speculation. Authorities in the study, both from East and West, would claim that its earliest roots go back, some think, as far as 2,000 years ago during the age of mystics and spiritual masters of old traditions. It is often suggested that the Enneagram was further developed in the late Middle Ages by Sufi brotherhoods. This is the dominant claim by far. Yet even this one is yet to be proven. The Sufis, as wanderers and preachers, are very pious Muslims who started their rigid asceticism as far back as several hundred years after their prophet Muhammad s death. Among their pursuits was a tradition of spiritual guidance that pursued the goal of developing methods of helping people on the way to God. Over years of effort and community life, the Sufis finally discovered nine (9) constant models that they hoped would answer the query as to why men and women found it difficult to pray and get closer to the divine. As all things can only happen in history, Muslim mathematicians discovered in the 15th century the meaning of the number zero (0) and later developed the decimal system. In addition, they realized that a new kind of number comes into existence when one is divided by three (3) or seven (7) or what we call at present as the periodic decimal fractions. All these discoveries and the experiential knowledge of the dynamics of the human soul ultimately flowed together into the Sufi symbol of the Enneagram. They called it aptly as the

face of God, because in the nine points of energy that the Enneagram describes they saw nine refractions of the one divine love. The word itself is a later invention, compounded from the Greek ennea (nine) and gramma (letter, point). In a sense, the Enneagram is a borrowed introspective and dynamic exercise leading us contemporary Christians to self-knowledge and self-acceptance. It is our strong conviction that true knowledge of who we are, albeit developmental and incomplete, is a fertile starting point in our efforts to relate closer to God, a Being who decides to live in the depths of our being. Key Points to Consider 1. The Enneagram, as an ancient wisdom rediscovered from the richness outside of Christian sources, is a very old map of self-introspection ( shaking hands with the real enemy ) consisting of a circle whose circumference is divided by nine points, numbered clockwise from 1 to 9. Points 3, 6, and 9 are bound together by an equilateral triangle while a hexagon of arrows runs through points 1, 4, 2, 8, 5, and 7.

(Figure 1)

2. It describes 9 different characters that are believed to be dominant in the world. These so-called characters are results of a convergence of family traits, social environment, heredity, and all other psycho-social stakeholders in our human development. Although it does not claim finality, orthodoxy, and absolutism, the Enneagram is one of the best ways to really begin assessing and accepting our dominant personalities and find concrete ways to develop our gifts, tendencies, mechanisms, and dynamics inherent in our typology so as to confront and conquer our weaknesses as we continue nurturing healthy relationships. 3. People are essentially different. This is a fact. But some individuals are surprisingly similar to one another. Just as there are street maps, so each of the types pursues a peculiar interest, special strengths, and conceived weaknesses. None of the types is all-inclusive and no one is an exemption. However, this is only the beginning. The Enneagram ultimately aims at change. It results, in God s grace, at conversion or what is also known as transcendence. The ultimate Christian challenge is redemption and personal freedom through integration, and this can materialize only when we arrive at a level when we can see things, people, and situations from different perspectives when we can act and see like Jesus did. 4. All types have the danger of necessarily neglecting the individuality, originality, and uniqueness of the person as an individual. One can be pigeonholed according to a type (or space, number). This is an admitted difficulty inherent in all models and frameworks as varied as politics, architecture, music, or even church. But the Enneagram is all about naming our patterns of behavior as authentic starting points to holiness. Besides, in reality, holiness is not about changing our personalities; rather it is more on redeeming sanctifying where and who are for the greater glory of God. The Enneagram is for social change.

Further Discussion: 9 Personality Types

1. Perfectionist. a. I am good. I am correct. Determined. Legalistic. Principled. Righteous. Honest. Truthful. Leader.

b. Inferiority complex covered with the sense of being superior. Depression. Selfrighteous. Critical. Uncompromising even when short-changed. EGO: Prudence. Avoidance: Anger. 2. Helper. a. I am Ok because I can give. Help. Support. Other-person oriented. Thoughtful. Natural counselors. Forgiving. b. Neglectful of their needs when these are in conflict with the needs of others. They cannot stand being ignored. They pride in being self-sacrificing. Nonconfrontational. EGO: Affirmation. Avoidance: Imposing on others. 3. Achiever. a. I am successful. Efficient. Very sociable and popular. Innovative. Workaholics. Has a bright outlook in life. Born survivors. b. One-man team. Quick to blame the performance of others. Restless. Keeping the image of always being the best. Opportunist. Attention-seeker. He cannot accept a no for an answer. EGO: Vanity. Avoidance: Failure. 4. Special/Artistic a. I am good because I am unique. Refined. In touch with beauty. Class. Ritualistic. Aesthetic. Graceful. Romantic. Sensitive. b. Morbid. Magnifying lament and sadness just to be really happy. The sadder the better. Not spontaneous. Always feeling abandoned. Choosy with friends. Tend to live in fantasy. EGO: Introspection. Absence. Avoidance: Pressure. Ordinariness. 5. Thinker a. I am wise. Perceptive. Gentle. Unassuming. Observing. Original. Brilliant. Everything is logical. Prayerful. Reflective. Symbolic. b. Very jealous of their privacy. Can be very judgmental and impulsive. Burdened. Distant. Purist. EGO: Intellectualization. Avoidance: Stupidity. 6. Loyalist/Follower a. I am obedient. Faithful. Community-oriented. Service. Identifies with the group. b. Good at worrying. They plan but cannot implement. Cannot live without structures ordering them. They doubt whether they can lead or not. Sentimental. EGO: Reflection. Avoidance: Deviance. 7. Generalist a. I am nice. Fine. A breath of fresh air. Very refined behavior. Can talk for hours on end. Community to protect them from pain. See no evil and hear no evil. All is well. Playful. Nature lover. Jock of all trades. b. Cannot assess one s self. Tend to be individualistic. Master of none. Cannot discuss problems. Need to have a variety of jobs. Escaping monotony and routine. EGO: Taking things lightly. Avoidance: Conflict. 8. Motivator a. I am powerful. I can do things. Powerful and empowering. The issue must be resolved, only then I can sit down. Radical in approaches. Passionate. Intense. Systematic. Natural hermit. Tolerant but demanding.

b. Aloof. Self-contained. Unapproachable. Regardless as to who is hurt, things have to be done. Violent. It is your time now. But when my time comes, it is mine. Unable to cope with mediocrity. Devil-may-care. I don t push you, don t push me. Take it or leave it. I work alone. EGO: Confront. Head-on. Action. Avoidance: Being cheated. 9. Peacemaker a. I am good because I am set. Settled. Peaceful. The most balanced of all types. Unobtrusive. Brave but not pushy. Pacifiers. Reconcilers. Process-oriented. b. Nave. They are easily taken advantaged by others. Can be indifferent when they reach their edge of tolerance. Difficult to motivate but once motivated it will also be difficult to influence alteration. Fatalistic. EGO: Calmness. Peace. Avoidance: Emotionalism. Excitability.

Synthesis
1. The Energy Centers: a. Head: They are often shy and timid. They are able to grasp situations without observing and analysis. They move from harsh realities to move into seclusion. They are concerned with directions and structures. 5, 6, 7 b. Heart: They draw people out of themselves by their shown interest in others. They are concerned with image and very sensitive to situations around them. 4, 2, 3 c. Gut: They are matter-of-fact persons who do not make any effort to at getting persons to be on their side. They focus on truth and reality. 9, 8, 1 2. Withdrawn Persons: 9, 4, 5 3. Dependent Persons: 2, 6, 7 4. Aggressive Persons: 8, 1, 3

Evaluation
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Assuming Responsibility of the Self Increase in Intentionality Self-Containment Intervention Mobilizing the Weakest Center 1. Head needs Heart, Gut is weak 2. Heart needs Head 3. Gut needs Heart 6. Develop Healthy Relationships 7. Integration in Christ (Type 10) Through Prayer Assignment What is my type? What is my wing? What is my path?