The Enneagram: Resources

Introduction

Welcome to our Enneagram resource page. Below is a very brief overview of the Enneagram, and a list of resources that can explain how it works in much greater detail. The Enneagram is a personality-type indicator which categorises personality types into the nine types listed below:

The Enneagram (a nine-point shape) organises its nine personality types around this symmetrical shape. located on a wheel in the configuration below. The nine types are grouped into three categories, around the 3, 6 and 9, forming a triad of gut, heart and head, as seen below.

The theory goes that each person will find themselves primarily located on one of these points (numbers), with tendencies towards one of the two numbers either side (wings) of theirs. The lines, often presented as arrows, denote how certain personality types relate to others personality types.

A Guide to Resources

As you’d imagine, there’s tonnes of free stuff on the Enneagram online. Some is, undoubtedly, more reputable and helpful than other. And there is certainly a lack of consistency, even amongst Enneagram experts, on names of types, etc. Any good introduction to the Enneagram will warn against using it as the ultimate determinate of personality type. And never type others! Approach the Enneagram with deep humility and curiosity, however, and it can reveal rich insights about what drives us. Some additional resources are recommended below.

Richard Rohr is widely acknowledged as someone of great insight, wisdom and grace. His teaching is accessible, yet deep. The following videos provide a very engaging, comprehensive overview of the Enneagram as a whole, whilst going into enough detail on each of the types. Rohr covers how the Enneagram explain a lot about who we are, why, and what we can do about it. After the second and third videos, a review of the personality types is provided, along with links to further information. A free, online test is also made available at the end.

Along with other well-recognised personality type tools, the Enneagram provides some helpful ways to understand ourselves and others. Like all such tools, a certain degree of humility and wisdom is required in wielding them.

To paraphrase Rohr, we are best to not use the Enneagram as a deterministic label to stamp upon others, but as a way to better see God in others, and grapple with our shared brokenness. Please understand that discerning your type, let alone anyone else’s, is a a process. It takes time! And it is in owning our virtues and vices that we better understand and make peace with ourselves.

All that is to say, we need a good grasp on all of the types, and how they relate to other types, in trying to understand the Enneagram. You can’t just take the 10-minute test, and be on your way. A little bit of knowledge can be more dangerous than none, when wielded unwisely. A committed investment of time and attention, however, will yield much fruit.

Take your time as you go through the content of these lectures. Sit with the new revelations you discover. Reflect; muse; breathe! Self-discovery and becoming cannot be rushed. In fact, it is often in the waiting and listening that we experience the quiet, still voice of God revealing old truths, and reforming our hearts into the likeness of God.

For a snappy, fun, light-hearted beginner’s guide to The Enneagram, checkout Abbey Howe’s YouTube channel. The video below is her intro video, but Abbey has lots of helpful Enneagram videos.

You Have a Type

An excellent YouTube channel full of Detailed Enneagram content that is clearly communicated and well organised. Below is the intro video, and the basic Enneagram type videos. There are many more to explore, however.

This series of YouTube videos below also provide wonderful summaries of the nine types:

Richard Rohr Lectures

These lectures span many hours, with a great depth of content (at terrible audio/visual quality, though). They are well worth the watch if you can make the time!

Further Resources

The Center for Action and Contemplation

A noteworthy website

Information specific to type from The Center for Action and Contemplation can be found here:

_{Type 1: The Reformer The need to be perfect}

• _{Virtue: Serenity | Vice: Anger | Basic Desire: Goodness, integrity, excellence}

_{Type 2: The Helper The need to be needed}

• _{Virtue: Humility | Vice: Pride | Basic Desire: To give and receive love}

_{Type 3: The Achiever The need to succeed}

• _{Virtue: Authenticity | Vice: Deceit (especially self-deceit) | Basic Desire: To feel valuable}

_{Type 4: The Individualist The need to be special}

• _{Virtue: Equanimity (appreciating life just as it is) | Vice: Envy | Basic Desire: To be uniquely themselves}

_{Type 5: The Investigator The need to perceive}

• _{Virtue: Non-attachment (not clinging nor avoiding) | Vice: Avarice (for knowledge and privacy) | Basic Desire: Mastery, understanding}

_{Type 6: The Loyalist The need for security}

• _{Virtue: Courage | Vice: Fear | Basic Desire: To have support, guidance}

_{Type 7: The Enthusiast The need to avoid pain}

• _{Virtue: Sobriety (joy despite difficulties) | Vice: Gluttony (for new experiences) | Basic Desire: To be satisfied and content}

_{Type 8: The Challenger The need to be against}

• _{Virtue: Innocence (or mercy) | Vice:Lust (an addiction to intensity) | Basic Desire: Self-protection}

_{Type 9: The Peacemaker The need for peace}

• _{Virtue: Decisive action | Vice: Sloth (lack of focused energy) | Basic Desire: Wholeness, peace, harmony}

The Liturgists

A Christian podcast on the Enneagram

An Online Enneagram Test

_{Note: The paid version is the one recommended in The Sacred Enneagram Christopher Heuertz.}

_{The free version will only provide some basic results. You can unlock your full report for a more detailed explanation of your results.}

May God bless you and be with you on your journey towards becoming all God is calling you to be.