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| Self-portrait by Rembrandt |
I love Rembrandt's self-portaits because they have such a range of facial expressions-- one thing I always found is that self-portaits have a very earnest, somber quality to them. But think about it, could you really beam at yourself in a mirror for two hours? This is my introductory way of leading into my recent interests in a different type of self-investigation, the enneagram.
I've just ordered for myself "The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective" by Richard Rohr and should be an expert by this summer if anyone is in the midst of soul-searching and needs a little "test" and analysis to sort themselves out.
So, I've long been a Myers-Briggs hobbyist, but what I like about the enneagram is I think it deals a little more with characters and the transformation, disintegration of personality and character especially amidst change, stress and any parts of life that are hard and actually tend to push us into unhealthy versions of ourself.
The other day, I was feeling a bit selfish/indulgent in my constant pursuit of wanting to "know myself" and I think i've decided that is itself and quality of my "type"; a spiritual longing, an artistic vision, a desire to know myself so that I can manage my interactions with those who are close to me, etc. But as Mark said, there are many "types" that are not driven by the pursuit of self-knowledge. And its important for me to allow myself to be that person and allow others to not be those persons.
In this vein, I'm starting to engage the idea of doing a Masters of Counselling of some sort. Right now, I'm thinking I might like one that includes certification/accreditation in public schools in case I want to remain on a school schedule. I'm including this pondering of mine in case any of you State-side of great recommendations of online/modular programs that you recommend. I am not currently rushing towards end-game but think I will take a couple pre-requisite classes in the next year and GREs (yikes) and then explore all options. I think the reality of moving at some future point in time would be greatly mitigated (financially, location-options, Mark's stress load) if I was qualified to work. Actually, those things would also be mitigate if I was a humble home-body, but I think I'm coming to terms with the fact that choice is wrought with more angst than my get-it-done side.
A little blurb from the "enneagram institute" online.... For all your personality/character analysis junkies out there, this is a world of fun!!!!!! :)
1.What is the Enneagram?
Don Riso has defined the Enneagram as "a geometric figure that delineates the nine basic personality types of human nature and their complex interrelationships." While the Enneagram suggests that there are nine basic personality types of human nature, there are, of course, many subtypes and variations within the nine fundamental categories. Nevertheless, the assertion of Enneagram theory is that these nine adequately map out the territory of "personality types."
The Enneagram is also a symbol that maps out the ways in which the nine types are related to each other. This is the aspect of the Enneagram most people are familiar with because it offers them a framework for understanding themselves and everyone they deal with. As a psychospiritual typology, the Enneagram helps people to recognize and understand an overall pattern in human behavior. External behaviors, underlying attitudes, one''s characteristic sense of self, conscious and unconscious motivations, emotional reactions, defense mechanisms, object relations, what we pay attention to, our spiritual potentialsand much more—are all parts of a complex pattern that forms each personality type. Therapists, business counselors, human resource directors, and spiritual seekers from around the world are all finding the Enneagram to be immensely useful for self-understanding and personal growth. Always remember however, that the Enneagram does not put you in a boxit shows you the box you are in and the way out!
The Enneagram is also a symbol that maps out the ways in which the nine types are related to each other. This is the aspect of the Enneagram most people are familiar with because it offers them a framework for understanding themselves and everyone they deal with. As a psychospiritual typology, the Enneagram helps people to recognize and understand an overall pattern in human behavior. External behaviors, underlying attitudes, one''s characteristic sense of self, conscious and unconscious motivations, emotional reactions, defense mechanisms, object relations, what we pay attention to, our spiritual potentialsand much more—are all parts of a complex pattern that forms each personality type. Therapists, business counselors, human resource directors, and spiritual seekers from around the world are all finding the Enneagram to be immensely useful for self-understanding and personal growth. Always remember however, that the Enneagram does not put you in a boxit shows you the box you are in and the way out!
2.Where did the Enneagram come from?
The history and transmission of the Enneagram are mysterious and complicated affairs, although they become clearer if we distinguish between the Enneagram symbol and the descriptions of the nine types which are gaining such worldwide attention. The symbol (the circle with the inner triangle and hexagon) is ancient, dating back to Pythagoras or even earlier. The concept of the nine personality types has elements rooted in several traditional teachings such as the Seven Deadly Sins (beginning in the 4th century), and the Kabbalah (beginning in the 12th century) but the psychological descriptions of the types, on the other hand, are modern and are the work of modern authors.
George Gurdjieff brought the symbol to the West around 1900, andOscar Ichazo was the first to synthesize the symbol with elements of the teachings about the types. He was the first to identify the core qualities of each of the nine types, and his work was expanded on by the psychiatristClaudio Naranjo who also introduced the panel method for gathering information about the types. Naranjo''s work, in turn, has been expanded on by Don Riso and Russ Hudson who added many new elements to the early Enneagram systemmost notably the lengthy systematic descriptions of the nine types, as well as the nine internal Levels of Development, the "inner logic" of each type.
For more information, see The Traditional Enneagram and Enneagram Contributions, as well as the "Origins" chapter in Personality Types and "Ancient Roots, Modern Insights" in The Wisdom of the Enneagram.
George Gurdjieff brought the symbol to the West around 1900, andOscar Ichazo was the first to synthesize the symbol with elements of the teachings about the types. He was the first to identify the core qualities of each of the nine types, and his work was expanded on by the psychiatristClaudio Naranjo who also introduced the panel method for gathering information about the types. Naranjo''s work, in turn, has been expanded on by Don Riso and Russ Hudson who added many new elements to the early Enneagram systemmost notably the lengthy systematic descriptions of the nine types, as well as the nine internal Levels of Development, the "inner logic" of each type.
For more information, see The Traditional Enneagram and Enneagram Contributions, as well as the "Origins" chapter in Personality Types and "Ancient Roots, Modern Insights" in The Wisdom of the Enneagram.
3.What use is the Enneagram? How can it help me?
The Enneagram can be extremely useful to everyone as a source of self-knowledge because it acts as a kind of "mirror" to reveal features of our personality that normally are invisible to us. Most of the time, people function habitually, as if on "automatic pilot," according to the pattern of their basic personality type. Usually this allows people to get along well enough in their lives, but when their normal routines break down or the stresses of their lives increase too much, their normal way of coping also tends to break down or become dysfunctional. Seeing clearly what our habitual patterns are—seeing what we are doing and why we are doing it, and at what cost to ourselves and others—holds the key to our liberation. By knowing your type correctly, you are able to see yourself—to "catch yourself in the act"—as you move throughout the day. With this increased self-awareness, you are also able to avoid reacting in negative and potentially dangerous ways.
Once real balance has been restored to the personality structure, the Enneagram can help us to orient ourselves to the higher spiritual and psychological qualities that each type has in abundance. Thus, at its highest, the Enneagram invites us to look deeply into the mystery of our true identity. It reveals that we are not our personality, but something more—a spiritual being who has lost contact with his or her true nature. Living out of this realization shifts completely how we see ourselves, others, and the world, bringing liberation, freedom, and joy. (See pages 27-48 inThe Wisdom of the Enneagram or pages 11-17 of Understanding the Enneagram (Revised Edition) for more about the psychological and spiritual context of the Enneagram.)
Once real balance has been restored to the personality structure, the Enneagram can help us to orient ourselves to the higher spiritual and psychological qualities that each type has in abundance. Thus, at its highest, the Enneagram invites us to look deeply into the mystery of our true identity. It reveals that we are not our personality, but something more—a spiritual being who has lost contact with his or her true nature. Living out of this realization shifts completely how we see ourselves, others, and the world, bringing liberation, freedom, and joy. (See pages 27-48 inThe Wisdom of the Enneagram or pages 11-17 of Understanding the Enneagram (Revised Edition) for more about the psychological and spiritual context of the Enneagram.)
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