The Enneagram Instrument

Introduction

The Enneagram is an ancient nine sided diagram which was first introduced into the West by George Gurdjieff, a mystic who was born in the area between Greece and the Caspian Sea in the late 1860s or early 1870s and flourished in Europe in the early 20th century. In recent times, it has become to be known as a diagram representing nine personality types. Hence the word, enneagram, derived from ennea, meaning "nine" and grammos, meaning diagram. In addition to describing the nine personality types, the enneagram is used as a tool to stimulate self-awareness, self-observation, self-remembering, and cultivation of spiritual knowledge. It is a transformational technology that can help us transform our vices into virtues. It is a system of spiritual practices which help us to overcome our shadow side.

These pages are intended to introduce you, the visitor to the nine personality types of the enneagram, and their emotional and mental preoccupations of heart and mind. In addition, you will be introduced to the higher aspects of your potential essential nature, and given the opportunity to explore your own mind. This is not intended to be psychotherapy or counseling of any kind. It is simply one of the educational maps to consciousness that I have come to love and use daily in my own life.

You can use the site to learn about yourself by taking advantage of any or all of the following:

• filling out and submitting the enneagram instrument
• using the enneagram feedback form to get information on enneagram typing interviews, classes, workshops and lectures
• finding out information about enneagram teachers, enneagram classes and enneagram workshops in your area,
• connecting to other enneagram resources on the net.

As you view this site, please remember that it was established in 1996, and has gone through some modifications. I now have the resources to publish articles by other authors on this site, and welcome any submissions.

Enneagram teachers can submit information about themselves to be included for free on our expanding list of teachers. Also, you can submit references to published materials to be included on our reference page or our links page. Simply email me the information you want published and I will make it available as soon as possible.

Please visit all of the following links:

The Enneagram Instrument - a personality test to help you determine your type.

The nine personality types - a brief description of each of the nine personality type of the enneagram

The three centers of intelligence - the head, the heart and the belly

Various enneagrams - traditional enneagrams described by Oscar Ichazo

The Enneagram of the Body - a collection of articles that appeared in Enneagram Monthly.

Enneagram interviews - more coming in this area

Enneagram Teachers - submit your information from this page

Enneagram Classes and Workshops

Reference materials

Links to other resources

Acknowledgements

I am available for Enneagram typing interviews and as a guest speaker. Please use the Enneagram feedback form or more details.

All of the enneagrams presented in these pages were drawn by a Microsoft Windows program, enn.exe, that you can download. This program is shareware and is offered for demonstration purposes only. You are invited to contribute $9 if you find it useful. Please send contributions to the address given below. I'll be happy to supply source code to anyone who agrees to forward me any changes.