creating spaces to learn and connect through the enneagram
IEA RESOURCES
GETTING STARTED WITH THE ENNEAGRAM
The name Enneagram means “drawing of nine” and comes from two Greek words: ennea meaning “nine” and gram meaning “drawing” or “figure.” The Enneagram is a nine-pointed figure inscribed in a circle. The meaning of the symbol itself, together with the personality types organized around the nine points, convey a system of knowledge about nine distinct but interrelated personality types, or nine ways of seeing and experiencing the world.
| The Enneagram of personality types is a psycho-spiritual system for mapping the nine possible personalities, like nine facets of a stone that develop through the natural growth of the human psyche.The Enneagram of personality is a versatile and powerful personality typing system. Each personality type associated with the Enneagram represents a map of traits that highlights patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. By learning one’s type and the patterns and habits associated with that type, one can use of the Enneagram system as an effective tool for self-understanding and self-development. |
Each Enneagram personality type, or style, is based on a pattern of where attention goes. By learning about what kinds of things one habitually attends to and puts energy into, one can observe oneself more accurately and develop more self-awareness. By enhancing one’s self awareness with the help of the Enneagram, one can exercise more choice about one’s functioning rather than engaging in patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior in an automatic, habitual, unconscious way.
The Enneagram symbol and the personality types associated with it have ancient roots. Traces of it can be found in the early mystical forms of many of the world’s spiritual teachings.
Today, knowledge of the Enneagram system is growing all around the world. The insights about human functioning and development are being applied in many varied areas including psychology and psychotherapy, business, the arts, health care, parenting, education, and spiritual growth.
BOOKS
Below is a (far from exhaustive) list of helpful resources on the Enneagram. We find our best learning happens in-person, and we hope you'll also join us for an upcoming Chapter event.
INTRODUCTORY BOOKS
The Essential Enneagram: The Definitive Personality Test and Self-Discovery Guide by David Daniels and Virginia Price
The Enneagram Made Easy: Discover the 9 Types of People by Renee Baron and Elizabeth Wagele
BASIC REFERENCES
The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge by Bea Chestnut
The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson
Understanding the Enneagram: The Practical Guide to Personality Types by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson
Enneagram: Understanding Yourself and Others in Your Life by Helen Palmer
BUSINESS AND COACHING APPLICATIONS
The 9 Ways of Working: How to Use the Enneagram to Discover Your Natural Strengths and Work More Effectively by Michael J. Goldberg
Bringing Out the Best in Everyone You Coach: Use the Enneagram System for Exceptional Results by Ginger Lapid-Bogda
The Enneagram in Love and Work: Understanding Your Intimate and Business Relationshipsby Helen Palmer
Out of the Box: Coaching with the Enneagram by Mary Bast and Clarence Thomson