Enneagram and Relationships Gold: Self and Others
Have you ever had an insight into yourself that provoked an OMG! moment?
If you’ve never explored the enneagram, brace yourself; you’re in for a whole lot of OMGs!
Imagine understanding more clearly what’s beneath and driving those patterns that seem inescapable.
What about an AHA! into your parent, partner, or BFF that’s like finally grokking an alien life-form?
Sounds too good to be true? Maybe some folks will leave a comment or two validating this possibility.
Here’s the thing…
Insight and knowledge are treasures, but we really desire change – real change.
The enneagram reveals patterns:
- Patterns are ruts.
- Ruts are boring.
- Boring is depressing.
- Depressing is anti-life energy.
Here’s the problem…
Our personality can’t implement real change. It’s impossible to make fundamental changes to its core nature.
Why?
Because it can’t think outside the box of itself.
All of its efforts are oriented toward changing the interior and exterior design and furnishings of the box or the functioning/purpose of the box.
It can’t tolerate or even imagine life without the box.
Who’s going to relate or be in relationship if there’s no box?
Breaking Free from the Box: The Enneagram as a Catalyst
The enneagram doesn’t just point out the box; it hands you the tools to dismantle it. Imagine the freedom of stepping out of that confined space, breathing in the limitless possibilities of authentic living. This is not about discarding your personality but transcending it. When you move beyond the box, you’re not just changing the decor; you’re changing the architecture of your inner world. This is where the enneagram becomes more than a psychological tool—it becomes a spiritual journey.
Imagine more OMGs than you can imagine…
Use the enneagram to move beyond blind spots and transform patterning into transparent virtue.
The Virtue of Transparency: A New Relationship Paradigm
Transparency is not just about being open; it’s about being truly seen for who you are. The enneagram allows you to peel back the layers of defense mechanisms and social masks, revealing the core essence of your being. When you and your partner, or anyone you’re in a relationship with, can see each other’s core essence, the relationship transforms. It’s no longer about negotiating needs or managing expectations; it’s about celebrating each other’s unique gifts and navigating life’s challenges with a newfound sense of unity.
The enneagram is an invaluable tool for gaining a deeper understanding of the people around you—be it your partner, family members, friends, or colleagues. By identifying the core motivations, fears, and desires that drive different personality types, the enneagram offers a nuanced lens through which to view human behavior. This understanding can lead to more empathetic and effective communication, stronger relationships, and a more harmonious living or working environment.
Examples of How the Enneagram Can Help You Understand People:
- Conflict Resolution: Knowing the root fears or desires that fuel conflicts can lead to more constructive conversations and solutions.
- Enhanced Communication: Tailoring your communication style to suit the enneagram type of the person you’re interacting with can result in more meaningful and effective exchanges.
- Personal Growth: Understanding your own enneagram type can help you identify areas for self-improvement, which can, in turn, improve your relationships with others.
- Team Dynamics: In a work setting, knowing the enneagram types of team members can help in assigning roles that play to each individual’s strengths.
- Parenting: For parents, understanding the enneagram can provide insights into a child’s behavior and needs, helping to foster a more supportive and nurturing environment.
Diamond Approach Enneagram On-demand Courses
In this 11-module course, Sandra Maitri and Russ Hudson will synthesize decades of Enneagram knowledge and teaching experience with a lifetime of Diamond Approach spiritual development and methodology to help us reconnect to our essential being through the Enneagram. Click Here for Access
This course explores how the particular ‘take’ on reality at the core of each of the nine types begins and the resulting belief structures, emotional patterns, and behaviors. Click Here for Access