What do you think?
Rate this book
The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types
The first definitive guide to using the wisdom of the enneagram for spiritual and psychological growth
The ancient symbol of the Enneagram has become one of today's most popular systems for self-understanding, based on nine distinct personality types. Now, two of the world's foremost Enneagram authorities introduce a powerful new way to use the Enneagram as a tool for personal transformation and development. Whatever your spiritual background, the Enneagram shows how you can overcome your inner barriers, realize your unique gifts and strengths, and discover your deepest direction in life.
The Wisdom of the Enneagram includes:
Two highly accurate questionnaires for determining your type
Vivid individual profiles focused on maximizing each type's potential and minimizing predictable pitfalls
Spiritual Jump Starts, Wake-Up Calls, and Red Flags for each type
Dozens of individualized exercises and practical strategies for letting go of troublesome habits, improving relationships, and increasing inner freedom
Revealing insights into the deepest motivations, fears, and desires of each type
Highly accessible, yet filled with sophisticated concepts and techniques found nowhere else, The Wisdom of the Enneagram is a strikingly new fusion of psychology and spirituality. It offers an exciting vision of human possibility and a clear map of the nine paths to our highest self-expression.
The ancient symbol of the Enneagram has become one of today's most popular systems for self-understanding, based on nine distinct personality types. Now, two of the world's foremost Enneagram authorities introduce a powerful new way to use the Enneagram as a tool for personal transformation and development. Whatever your spiritual background, the Enneagram shows how you can overcome your inner barriers, realize your unique gifts and strengths, and discover your deepest direction in life.
The Wisdom of the Enneagram includes:
Two highly accurate questionnaires for determining your type
Vivid individual profiles focused on maximizing each type's potential and minimizing predictable pitfalls
Spiritual Jump Starts, Wake-Up Calls, and Red Flags for each type
Dozens of individualized exercises and practical strategies for letting go of troublesome habits, improving relationships, and increasing inner freedom
Revealing insights into the deepest motivations, fears, and desires of each type
Highly accessible, yet filled with sophisticated concepts and techniques found nowhere else, The Wisdom of the Enneagram is a strikingly new fusion of psychology and spirituality. It offers an exciting vision of human possibility and a clear map of the nine paths to our highest self-expression.
391 pages, Paperback
First published June 15, 1999
1,538 people are currently reading
9,700 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 444 reviews
November 2, 2007
Best personality theory ever, refreshingly devoid of new age bullcrap. This is for critical thinkers who understand that everyone is a work in progress. Provides an intimate and forgiving look at yourself - and everyone you'll ever meet.
July 27, 2007
The enneagram is a highly logical, accurate personality profiling system widely used by psychologists and intelligence agencies worldwide. The theory is that there are nine basic personality types, and everyone fits into one basic category, but you can have strong aspects, or "wings" of the other categories as well. you are the only one who can truly "type" yourself, and it is a tool for self-understanding and relationship building more than figuring out other people, but it stands true that the better you understand yourself the better you relate to others in any sense. I first read this several years ago at a workshop at my summer camp (abby signed us all up for it, she's such a "1"! the loveliest "1" i ever met!) and have since taken several other workshops and discussion groups revolving around the enneagram. very useful stuff!
September 8, 2009
I've lost track of the number of times I've recommended this book. The biggest selling point for me is that it helps you understand why you and your loved ones behave in the bizarre, annoying ways you do!
The book divides personality types into 9 broad categories, ranging from types like "The Helper" who is the stereotypical caregiver who gives away all of their energy for others to "The Reformer" who believes passionately in doing things responsibly and by the rules.
You take a short quiz and through exploring the types can discover which sounds -- often astonishly -- just like you. Every other sentence had me saying "That is SO me." It's been an invaluable tool in my marriage and friendships as well as my own personal growth, giving concrete suggestions and tools for how to understand and manage my own behaviours and those of others around me. If all newlyweds were given a Marriage Welcome Pack, I'd make sure this book was part of it.
The book divides personality types into 9 broad categories, ranging from types like "The Helper" who is the stereotypical caregiver who gives away all of their energy for others to "The Reformer" who believes passionately in doing things responsibly and by the rules.
You take a short quiz and through exploring the types can discover which sounds -- often astonishly -- just like you. Every other sentence had me saying "That is SO me." It's been an invaluable tool in my marriage and friendships as well as my own personal growth, giving concrete suggestions and tools for how to understand and manage my own behaviours and those of others around me. If all newlyweds were given a Marriage Welcome Pack, I'd make sure this book was part of it.
July 1, 2019
Best book about the enneagram that I've read yet! I appreciated this one over others I've read because it seemed the most comprehensive and detailed. There was a vast amount of information about wings, and instinctual variants. And it explained the triadic self in an easily understandable way. Two thirds of the book was dedicated to each type. So I got in depth information (25 pages) on my type with info on what my wings and variants would look like. The book also includes a type questionnaire with info on where to find a much lengthier one online.
March 1, 2009
Old Favorite. Along with Helen Palmer, Riso and Hudson are two of the most influential authors and teachers on Enneatype. Many people say that this is their favorite book on personality types due to the extensive detail and insightful observations regarding the inner workings and origins of type. Riso and Hudson are best known for their depiction of "healthy", "average" and "unhealthy", versions of each personality type.
December 24, 2019
My mindset about who I am had completely shifted thanks to this book. And no, I didn鈥檛 read about every type in their entirety but I hit everything that has even a tiny bit to do with my Type 1 and all the front and back matter, so for my purposes I count this as a finish.
August 22, 2021
I鈥檓 so happy to finally be finished with this book!
Pros: It has tons of information about the enneagram in general and about each enneagram type. It also explains the purpose of the enneagram clearly (to escape your type, not box yourself in) and gives advice on how to integrate (become your best self).
Cons: It reads like a textbook. I often felt like I was wading through too much information. The ends of the chapters had some information that felt too 鈥渙ut there鈥� for me. Eye rolls. Also, I have to say this book left me unsure of which enneagram number I am. Although my daughter seems sure I鈥檓 a six wing seven. So maybe it鈥檚 just me.
My evaluation is that this book is a great resource with a wealth of information, but it鈥檚 a lot to wade through from cover to cover.
Pros: It has tons of information about the enneagram in general and about each enneagram type. It also explains the purpose of the enneagram clearly (to escape your type, not box yourself in) and gives advice on how to integrate (become your best self).
Cons: It reads like a textbook. I often felt like I was wading through too much information. The ends of the chapters had some information that felt too 鈥渙ut there鈥� for me. Eye rolls. Also, I have to say this book left me unsure of which enneagram number I am. Although my daughter seems sure I鈥檓 a six wing seven. So maybe it鈥檚 just me.
My evaluation is that this book is a great resource with a wealth of information, but it鈥檚 a lot to wade through from cover to cover.
December 3, 2022
I have been a fan of Riso and Hudson almost since the beginning of my Enneagram journey. This one is probably more accessible than their classic听Personality Types, with the emphasis here being more on positive growth rather than potential devolution. The chapters on the nine types are all solid, as expected, with wonderful guidelines and exercises for bringing awareness to each type's ego "projects" (as they call them). The opening and closing chapters are gold in themselves, offering different models both for theorizing more deeply about the Enneagram itself and the personal growth journey in general.
May 20, 2023
Dense with information, Riso and Hudson lay out their approach to the Enneagram, particularly focusing on each type's biggest fears, desires, and motivations. This is considered by many to be the foremost resource when it comes to the Enneagram鈥攁nd I agree. It's my go-to for a reason. If you don't already know your type, this could be overwhelming. But once you do, dive on in.
Riso and Hudson spend a lot of time illustrating how wings and arrows work, as well as showing how each type can grow. Some people may find small sections to be a little too woo-woo but it's easy enough to skip those if you need to and focus on the rest. One of my favorite chapters includes the Healing Attitudes for each type, which has been life-changing.
Riso and Hudson spend a lot of time illustrating how wings and arrows work, as well as showing how each type can grow. Some people may find small sections to be a little too woo-woo but it's easy enough to skip those if you need to and focus on the rest. One of my favorite chapters includes the Healing Attitudes for each type, which has been life-changing.
August 19, 2007
I took the Enneagram as an assignment in school and felt the results to be unlike me. And then, as another assignment, I was asked to read this book that delves into the significance of the Enneagram, the personality, and the 9 different personality types. I felt as if someone had stepped into my history and wrote down, experience by experience, the story of my life. It is intriguing and it sold me onto the usefulness of the Enneagram as an assessment tool.
March 17, 2021
Un libro que le铆 y trabaj茅 por recomendaci贸n de mi m茅dico. Es bastante interesante y provechoso para identificar aspectos y reacciones en uno mismo, siendo un buen instrumento de autoconocimiento, a煤n cuando es complejo ubicarse (con bajo riesgo de equivocarse) en un eneatipo.
March 16, 2025
hem enneagram谋 daha iyi anlamama hem de kendi a莽mazlar谋m谋, i莽inden 莽谋kamad谋臒谋m i莽in ki艧ili臒ime mal etti臒im ne kadar 莽ok 艧ey oldu臒unu g枚rmeme 莽ok yard谋m谋 oldu bu kitab谋n. enneagram konusunda naranjo'nun kitab谋 h芒l芒 bir numara benim i莽in ama derinlemesine bir giri艧 kitab谋 olarak 'enneagram bilgeli臒i' de 莽ok iyi bir se莽enekmi艧.
June 11, 2024
loved this. at this point I鈥檝e read too many enneagram books that I was starting to overthink it- this one was a good reminder that progress is progress & there鈥檚 not much to overthink. <3
January 5, 2020
If you've studied Myers-Briggs or are interested in personality types, you'll love this book.
I had never heard of the enneagram until my friend Luke told me about it. It's different from other personality typing systems because it focuses on how people are emotionally wired rather than more superficial characteristics like "extroverted/introverted."
On the surface, the enneagram may appear to have fewer variations than the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types. But each of the 9 types of the enneagram have two variations (one of two possible "wings") as well as three possible instinctual preferences (self-preservation, social, sexual) for a total of 54 potential variations.
For example, I discovered I'm a self-preservation 1 with a 2 wing ("The Advocate"). I've also been able to identify the types of a number of my family members. It's fascinating to read about their basic fears, lost childhood messages, etc. Normally, all we see is a person's behaviors; the enneagram helps us to understand a person's emotional wiring, which helps explain those behaviors.
Something unique to the enneagram is the idea of levels of development. So two people who are the same exact type could manifest very different behaviors based on whether they are functioning in the healthy, average, or unhealthy range of their type.
For a couple of my family members, it seems fairly obvious they are functioning in the average to unhealthy range of their type. At the same time, it's interesting to consider how different they would be if they were functioning in the healthy range.
The enneagram is most useful in understanding yourself: what you're most afraid of, what motivates you, how you deal with stress, what it would look like if you were fully integrated, etc. But the ennegram is also useful in understanding friends and family members, especially those you normally can't understand or find frustrating.
As I was reading about the personality type of one of my sons, I had some "aha!" moments: "Oh, THAT's what's driving him." Suddenly, certain behaviors made more sense. It will still be a journey to help him to understand himself better and move into the healthy level of development.
The final chapter "The Spiritual Journey" is less concrete and a little bit too mystical for me. But just about everything else in the book is helpful and enlightening.
Bottom line: This is an excellent book for understanding yourself and others on a deeper level.
I had never heard of the enneagram until my friend Luke told me about it. It's different from other personality typing systems because it focuses on how people are emotionally wired rather than more superficial characteristics like "extroverted/introverted."
On the surface, the enneagram may appear to have fewer variations than the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types. But each of the 9 types of the enneagram have two variations (one of two possible "wings") as well as three possible instinctual preferences (self-preservation, social, sexual) for a total of 54 potential variations.
For example, I discovered I'm a self-preservation 1 with a 2 wing ("The Advocate"). I've also been able to identify the types of a number of my family members. It's fascinating to read about their basic fears, lost childhood messages, etc. Normally, all we see is a person's behaviors; the enneagram helps us to understand a person's emotional wiring, which helps explain those behaviors.
Something unique to the enneagram is the idea of levels of development. So two people who are the same exact type could manifest very different behaviors based on whether they are functioning in the healthy, average, or unhealthy range of their type.
For a couple of my family members, it seems fairly obvious they are functioning in the average to unhealthy range of their type. At the same time, it's interesting to consider how different they would be if they were functioning in the healthy range.
The enneagram is most useful in understanding yourself: what you're most afraid of, what motivates you, how you deal with stress, what it would look like if you were fully integrated, etc. But the ennegram is also useful in understanding friends and family members, especially those you normally can't understand or find frustrating.
As I was reading about the personality type of one of my sons, I had some "aha!" moments: "Oh, THAT's what's driving him." Suddenly, certain behaviors made more sense. It will still be a journey to help him to understand himself better and move into the healthy level of development.
The final chapter "The Spiritual Journey" is less concrete and a little bit too mystical for me. But just about everything else in the book is helpful and enlightening.
Bottom line: This is an excellent book for understanding yourself and others on a deeper level.
September 24, 2019
Thus far the Enneagram for me is a practical tool for letting go of the ego through recognizing its individual action in my life. All the spiritual traditions talk of the ego which is a simple enough concept in itself but in practical life how do we start to recognize and let go? How does it work in lived daily reality? Once you recognize the identity of the ego you can start to recognize when it attempts to assert itself in life and through that observational presence, can begin to let go. Understanding the spiritual in the abstract is in the mind and fairly easy to comprehend as a theory. The enneagram gives you the knowledge of the ego in order to attain to the real self in practice. It's a tool to see things more clearly, not an end in itself but a guide that maps out obstructions and areas to observe in whatever practice we are engaged. This is one of those books I'll come back to again and again. I'm starting my second read now.
November 30, 2012
The Wisdom of the Enneagram is comprehensive, easy to read and informative. While I liked , this book is a must-read companion to that one. Riso and Hudson know and understand each type so well and present every type without prejudice and with compassion. I especially enjoyed their descriptions of how each type deals with everyday acts like walking into a room full of people.
My only complaint? This is not a book I can read one time and glean all there is to glean from it. It will need reading and re-reading for me to absorb the wisdom within its pages. That doesn't mean you shouldn't read it - it just means you may want to read it more than once.
My only complaint? This is not a book I can read one time and glean all there is to glean from it. It will need reading and re-reading for me to absorb the wisdom within its pages. That doesn't mean you shouldn't read it - it just means you may want to read it more than once.
April 23, 2008
VERY insightful! It is one of the most down to earth books on personality that I've come across. The basic premise is that we're all beings of light and that our personalities can aid us or hinder us. If you find out the tendencies expressed in your personality you then have power to choose whether you keep them or if you need to get rid of them. Shedding bad personality traits allows us to get to our core being of light. Great book!
December 21, 2020
4.5 stars. A good, comprehensive look at the enneagram. This would be a really great place to start when learning about it. There is a bit on the history of the enneagram, a breakdown of the types, and what we can do with the enneagram to improve ourselves. It's not too complicated, but I don't think it's overly simplified either. The spiritual aspects that it goes over is not unique to one religion, which makes it more widely useful as well. Over all, the exercise of self-awareness and self-analysis can be incredibly beneficial and this framework has been super helpful for me in terms of which behaviors to be aware of (and it's made me feel a lot less alone and more understood in some ways).
March 18, 2013
I love the Ennegram for its truth and flexibility of typing. It doesn't force a person into a label that is static. The idea is of growth, not identity. This book has a lot of detail not found in other Ennegram materials, like the internet sites. However, the main problem I had was the self-focus and the belief that an individual alone, him/herself, without other intervention could achieve the awareness necessary to change. It said we're in a trance and even questioned how someone in a trance can wake from it him/herself. But there was no answer to that self-imposed question. It makes a lot more sense to expand the truth of the Ennegram to say that there is a self who takes on a Type with its pitfalls and desires, and yet there is a separate being that reveals that to us what we really are and empowers the individual to grow and change into the best version of that Type. With a view not of our own divinity but an Other that is the universal divinity, the double-speak of this book is put to rest. It seems that the authors were bending over backward to make everything internal and of the self, when seeing the world and self + a divine Other fit the Ennegram's message so much more naturally.
June 30, 2017
I'm going to be doing some teaching on the enneagram this summer, leading our staff through it and helping them discern their number. Thus, I wanted to read some more on it. This is a helpful book. If you're new to the Enneagram I wouldn't recommend it as there are shorter and easier to read books. I mean, it is layed out like a workbook (8x11 printing as opposed to smaller, normal book size). This large layout is not conducive to reading, but it is what you expect from a textbook. I didn't read everything on every number. But if you know, or want to know, the Enneagram and help others know it, this is a good tool.
October 27, 2009
When it comes to personality typing, this book is to the Enneagram what is to Myers-Briggs. Basically, if you ever wanted to learn more about the Enneagram, then it is THE book to read on the subject. It definitely taught me a lot.
August 14, 2013
A comprehensive book on the enneagram system. Whether you believe in it or not (I myself have my reservations on some things) it is still a thought provoking book on a very interesting topic. Stays with you.
August 21, 2010
The classic on the Enneagram, which I believe is a brilliant personality system that is overrated as a spiritual path. In any case, Riso and Hudson give a clear overview.
December 14, 2016
This one was specially recommended by the presenters of the recent workshop I attended. Detailed, imaginative and thorough.
July 3, 2020
I will always be continuously reading this and referencing this... but I thought I would just mark it as read since I have read a lot of it, but will always be jumping in and out forever. :)
October 18, 2018
Completa obra en la que Richard Riso y Russ Hudson explican la compleja teor铆a del eneagrama. Los autores describen en profundidad la constituci贸n de cada uno de los nueve eneagramas.
Estos nueve tipos se dividen a su vez en una triada del instinto, del sentimiento y del pensamiento. A su vez, existen variantes instintivas de autoconservaci贸n, social y sexual. Otro elemento que perfila el eneagrama es la estructura de niveles, entendida como el proceso de evoluci贸n dividido en tres franjas principales: sana, media e insana.
Adem谩s de las clasificaciones mencionadas, cada eneagrama tiene dos alas (dos eneagramas colindantes) lo que puede variar considerablemente el perfil en funci贸n del ala que domina.
Otro aspecto a considerar es el hecho de que cada eneagrama se centra y se descentra hacia otro eneagrama. Lo que vuelve a dar como resultado personalidades completamente diferentes pese a pertenecer al mismo eneatipo.
Bien, mencionados todos estos aspectos, es evidente que la clasificaci贸n del eneagrama no resulta tan sencilla como elegir meramente un n煤mero. Las combinaciones acaban llev谩ndonos a perfilar m煤ltiples tipos de personalidad. La cuesti贸n es ser capaz de identificar el eneagrama que nos define para poder empezar a realizar el trabajo de integraci贸n. Algunas pistas que pueden orientarnos es entender cu谩l es nuestra herida de infancia o, por ejemplo, el modo en que reaccionamos al estr茅s.
En el proceso de liberaci贸n aprenderemos a estar m谩s conscientes de nuestra presencia, lo que nos permitir谩 dejar de reaccionar mec谩nicamente a las situaciones de la vida. Descubriremos que no somos nuestra personalidad, nuestro ego o esa imagen que hemos creado de nosotros (o que han creado los dem谩s), y nos permitiremos experimentarnos como realmente somos.
Un proceso que puede llevarnos a la liberaci贸n, no s贸lo individual sino colectiva.
Sin duda un libro muy recomendable para aquellas personas interesadas por las cuestiones del crecimiento personal.
Estos nueve tipos se dividen a su vez en una triada del instinto, del sentimiento y del pensamiento. A su vez, existen variantes instintivas de autoconservaci贸n, social y sexual. Otro elemento que perfila el eneagrama es la estructura de niveles, entendida como el proceso de evoluci贸n dividido en tres franjas principales: sana, media e insana.
Adem谩s de las clasificaciones mencionadas, cada eneagrama tiene dos alas (dos eneagramas colindantes) lo que puede variar considerablemente el perfil en funci贸n del ala que domina.
Otro aspecto a considerar es el hecho de que cada eneagrama se centra y se descentra hacia otro eneagrama. Lo que vuelve a dar como resultado personalidades completamente diferentes pese a pertenecer al mismo eneatipo.
Bien, mencionados todos estos aspectos, es evidente que la clasificaci贸n del eneagrama no resulta tan sencilla como elegir meramente un n煤mero. Las combinaciones acaban llev谩ndonos a perfilar m煤ltiples tipos de personalidad. La cuesti贸n es ser capaz de identificar el eneagrama que nos define para poder empezar a realizar el trabajo de integraci贸n. Algunas pistas que pueden orientarnos es entender cu谩l es nuestra herida de infancia o, por ejemplo, el modo en que reaccionamos al estr茅s.
En el proceso de liberaci贸n aprenderemos a estar m谩s conscientes de nuestra presencia, lo que nos permitir谩 dejar de reaccionar mec谩nicamente a las situaciones de la vida. Descubriremos que no somos nuestra personalidad, nuestro ego o esa imagen que hemos creado de nosotros (o que han creado los dem谩s), y nos permitiremos experimentarnos como realmente somos.
Un proceso que puede llevarnos a la liberaci贸n, no s贸lo individual sino colectiva.
Sin duda un libro muy recomendable para aquellas personas interesadas por las cuestiones del crecimiento personal.
January 28, 2012
[For more direct thoughts on the Enneagram itself, refer to the comments for "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Power of the Enneagram."]
Our authors approach the Enneagram in an crucial way: a focus is performed on the important distinction between the essential self and the character armor (psychoanalytic term that Becker uses by way of Rank in 'Denial of Death') or character traits that the ego self takes on due to its basic scripting and unique fears. It is the latter which is mapped out through the Enneagram. That is, the Enneagram, according to the authors, is not so much about coming to an understanding of who we are but rather of how we learn to operate and function - coming to an understanding of what drives us - and then learning to overcoming that character armor in such a way that our essential self is not masked by or confused with our egos. This is a huge and in my opinion necessary understanding of what it means to 'be a type' according to the Enneagram.
This understanding then shapes the second part of the book that deals with the particulars of each of the nine types, and includes psychological erudition as an integral part of ones understanding of our 'types' vis-a-vis unique needs and motives.
Our authors approach the Enneagram in an crucial way: a focus is performed on the important distinction between the essential self and the character armor (psychoanalytic term that Becker uses by way of Rank in 'Denial of Death') or character traits that the ego self takes on due to its basic scripting and unique fears. It is the latter which is mapped out through the Enneagram. That is, the Enneagram, according to the authors, is not so much about coming to an understanding of who we are but rather of how we learn to operate and function - coming to an understanding of what drives us - and then learning to overcoming that character armor in such a way that our essential self is not masked by or confused with our egos. This is a huge and in my opinion necessary understanding of what it means to 'be a type' according to the Enneagram.
This understanding then shapes the second part of the book that deals with the particulars of each of the nine types, and includes psychological erudition as an integral part of ones understanding of our 'types' vis-a-vis unique needs and motives.
April 12, 2012
This book is co-authored and each one comes in with anecdotal pieces throughout the book, which lends an interesting flavor--almost as if you're sitting in on a conversation in some parts. The book opens with clear description of the enneagram's development: the symbol and the personality types. The history alone is fascinating reading, and a strong argument for lending some credibility to the system itself.
There's a questionnaire to help you determine your Enneagram type; descriptions about the basic fear and basic desires of each type, the unconscious childhood message of each, lost childhood messages, cultivating awareness, the core identification of the types, how the triads work, what the integrating and disintegrating models are and how to understand them. Then there is a full chapter on each personality type.
I found this helpful in understanding people I have a hard time "getting" and learning to how relate to them. I don't use the enneagram consistently, but turn to it when I'm stumped about something regarding myself or someone in my family for insights.
There's a questionnaire to help you determine your Enneagram type; descriptions about the basic fear and basic desires of each type, the unconscious childhood message of each, lost childhood messages, cultivating awareness, the core identification of the types, how the triads work, what the integrating and disintegrating models are and how to understand them. Then there is a full chapter on each personality type.
I found this helpful in understanding people I have a hard time "getting" and learning to how relate to them. I don't use the enneagram consistently, but turn to it when I'm stumped about something regarding myself or someone in my family for insights.
February 7, 2015
I picked up this book because my spiritual director recommended it. Over the years people had mentioned the Enneagram, & I had read about it & taken online tests, but had never fully identified with my apparent type (4). Sister Mel told me this book could help me sort out the subtleties of the various types & understand the system (& myself) better.
And it IS helping. I am indeed a 4, but I don't have the tendency toward emotional extremes that is often characteristic of this type--that's what confused me & put me off. Riso & Hudson help me understand the deep hungers that are given expression in the various types, & I definitely resonate with those related to #4--but also #3, a strong wing for me.
I rate it 4 instead of 5 because I quibble with the theology of the book, which the authors say is universal. (Brian exhorting the crowd of would-be followers in Life of Brian: "You're all different." Lone voice popping up: "I'm not!") But some expressions of it I can endorse heartily.
I'll probably leave this on my "currently reading" list for quite a while, as it's the kind of book to dip into rather than reading it straight through. Rich & thought-provoking. It makes me want to be more profoundly myself.
And it IS helping. I am indeed a 4, but I don't have the tendency toward emotional extremes that is often characteristic of this type--that's what confused me & put me off. Riso & Hudson help me understand the deep hungers that are given expression in the various types, & I definitely resonate with those related to #4--but also #3, a strong wing for me.
I rate it 4 instead of 5 because I quibble with the theology of the book, which the authors say is universal. (Brian exhorting the crowd of would-be followers in Life of Brian: "You're all different." Lone voice popping up: "I'm not!") But some expressions of it I can endorse heartily.
I'll probably leave this on my "currently reading" list for quite a while, as it's the kind of book to dip into rather than reading it straight through. Rich & thought-provoking. It makes me want to be more profoundly myself.
September 6, 2016
Really powerful, and an even better introduction to the concept of the Enneagram than the famous Personality Types book by the same authors. These two books really need to be read together, however, for a more full and nuanced reading of the Enneagram. This book taps into the deep inherent spirituality of the Enneagram, discussing the formation of the personality in light of the wounds of childhood, and dedicates many chapters to the confrontation and transcendence of the Human Essence over the personality (both ego and superego). A terrifyingly (purposefully-chosen word, mind you) enlightening book, both humbling and uplifting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 444 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.