The enneagram is seen as a powerful tool for self-knowledge that has gained popularity in the world of personal development. Rooted in ancient spiritual traditions, this system classifies personality into nine distinct types and offers an explanation of human motivators and behaviors.
Have you heard of the enneagram? Well, we will tell you a little about this interesting personality classification system. Imagine a circle with nine points, each representing an enneatype. Simply put, the enneagram helps you understand your tendencies and habitual behaviors.
Each enneatype has distinctive characteristics that help you identify which aspects of your personality stand out the most. For example, we have the perfectionist, who likes to do things impeccably, or the enthusiast, who always seeks excitement and pleasure in life, and 7 more enneatypes, making a total of 9.
The most interesting thing about the enneagram is that it does not pigeonhole you into a single category, but rather shows you how you can move towards other enneatypes depending on the circumstances. Besides, It is not a simple personality test, since it is based on ideas related to esotericism and magical thinking..
The enneagram can be a fascinating tool for exploring more about yourself and how you relate to the world around you. Plus, there’s a fascinating story behind it. If you want to know her, keep reading.
The origin of the enneagram
The Enneagram has its roots in ancient spiritual traditions and advances in modern psychology. Although its exact origin remains uncertain, it is believed that the nine-point circle arose in Chaldea in Babylon more than 2,500 years ago. For both the Chaldeans and the Greeks, the number nine was considered divine and symbolized the absolute and the infinite.
In the Roman Empire, in the 4th century, the Desert Fathers, a community of Christian anchorites, faced different temptations identified by the theologian Evagrius Ponticus, which distanced monks from their state of spiritual presence. These temptations represented compulsive desires that diverted people from their essential center and plunged them into unconsciousness.
The mystic Ramón Llull, in the 13th century, explored the unity of existence through diagrams with a circle of nine points, representing human vices and divine attributes.. Five centuries later, George Gurdjieff traveled the world studying the perennial philosophy, highlighting the Babylonian civilization and the Sarmoung Brotherhood as bearers of ancient wisdoms.
In 1916, Gurdjieff introduced the Enneagram to a group of truth seekers. However, it was not until Óscar Ichazo, influenced by ancient teachings, identified the correct sequence of the nine personality types, fusing the discoveries of Evagrio Póntico with the holistic approach of Ramón Llull. Ichazo introduced concepts such as fixations, passions, holy ideas and virtues for each type of personality.
Later, Claudio Naranjo, a disciple of Ichazo, linked psychology with spirituality, establishing the enneatypes and the influence of primary instincts on them. This advancement led to the democratization and popularization of the Enneagram throughout the world, expanding its use in psychology, psychiatry, coaching, and work settings.
Helen Palmer, Sandra Maitri, AH Almaas and Robert Ochs are some of Naranjo’s followers. The latter, a priest of the Jesuit order, was in charge of presenting the Enneagram to said religious community.
Among those who followed him, Don Richard Riso and Patrick H. O’Leary stand out, who together with Robert Nogosek and Maria Beesing published in 1984 the pioneering book on the nine enneatypes, called “Enneagram: a path to self-discovery”.
This long and interesting history gave rise to the founding of the International Enneagram Association (IEA) in 1994, which was supported by the Department of Psychiatry at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.
Over time, the Enneagram has proven to be a valuable tool not only for individual self-knowledge, but also for improving communication in families, promoting leadership in companies, and facilitating reconnection with life purpose.
How does the enneagram help you know yourself better?
Have you ever felt like you have a hard time understanding yourself? The enneagram may be the key to unraveling your deepest thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. How can you achieve this? We explain it to you below:
Identification of behavioral patterns
The enneagram gives you the opportunity to identify recurring patterns in the way you act and relate to others. By recognizing your dominant tendencies, you will be able to better understand why you react in certain ways in different situations. For example, if you tend to be a perfectionist in your type, you will be able to understand why making mistakes affects you so much and how you can work on accepting certain imperfections.
Exploring strengths and weaknesses
Each enneatype has its own strengths and weaknesses. By knowing your predominant enneatype, you will be able to enhance your virtues and work on areas of improvement. For example, if you discover that you are a loyal enneatype, you will be able to consolidate your skills in building solid relationships, while at the same time working on your tendency toward emotional dependence.
The enneagram not only helps you understand yourself, but it also allows you to better understand others. By knowing the different enneatypes, you will be more empathetic towards the needs and motivations of those around you, strengthening your interpersonal relationships. This can help you communicate more effectively and resolve conflicts more constructively.
Motivation for personal growth
With the enneagram as your guide, you will have the motivation to work on your personal development. By understanding your behavior patterns and your way of being, you can chart a path toward self-actualization and emotional well-being. Identifying areas for improvement gives you the opportunity to focus on improving aspects of your personality that may be limiting your happiness and success.
In short, the enneagram is a powerful tool that invites you to immerse yourself in the exploration of your deepest self, fostering a journey of self-knowledge and unique personal growth. Discover everything the enneagram has to offer you and start exploring your hidden facets!
