A First Encounter with the Enneagram

Submitted by Laura Zeugner, September 24, 201

This past week in training, the Life Together program delved into the complex world of personality typing. We spent time with the Enneagram, getting to better know ourselves and our community members, and ultimately putting this knowledge to use through type- specific spiritual practices.

As a lover of personality tests, I was excited to begin working with the Enneagram’s 9 types of being. I quickly identified my type as well as a few of my peers’ types. But for some this was a difficult process- there were many who identified with multiple types or with none at all. I am sure there are still also those in our group who doubt the Enneagram’s accuracy or importance.

I, however, immediately saw the attributes of my type at work within myself and could easily relate them to my spirituality. As a type 4, or Individualist, I am ruled by my emotions and value identity and personal significance above all else. At my healthiest, I can be seen as imaginative, creative, and unique. At my worst I become filled with emotional turmoil and can turn to self-indulgence or self-harm.

It has always been easy for me to believe in God, perhaps because I live in my heart and not in my mind, like some of the other Enneagram types. Once I had an emotional experience of spirituality, I did not question or over-think it, but embraced it and refused to believe that something I felt so strongly could not be real or true. It is also easy to understand that, as a type 4, some of the biggest questions I have for God involve my own personal call. And as for my spiritual downfalls, they often fall into the categories of self-indulgence or moodiness and melancholy.

Our work with the Enneagram has been extremely eye-opening for me. Not only in regards to my own personality and spiritual journey, but for the whole community’s. It’s fascinating to watch other types discover their deepest motivations and fears, and see how these present themselves in their beliefs. I plan on continuing to research my type and to use the Enneagram to help strengthen my relationship with God.