Customer Reviews

Discovering The Enneagram: An Ancient Tool a New Spiritual Journey

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was the first book that I read on the topic. Now, many years, and many «how-to-get-your-career-going»-books later, I am so thankful that I was presented to the Enneagram by this one. The authors manage to share their knowledge of the nine energies in such a wonderful balance between confidence and humbleness. It is written in a very personal manner, the authors make a lot of references to themselves and their own types, often questioning their own motives for acting like they do. This «meta»-perspective provides a very important aspect to the presentation; reminding the reader that any presentation has a basis in subjectivity, and is of course influenced by it. It is also interesting that it is written by a german protestant (Ebert), based on the talks of an american catholic (Rohr). Two different traditions are meeting, one of methodological research and critical questioning, one of symbolic and traditional orientation. So if you're looking for shortcuts to success, this may not be the book for you. But if you're looking for some knowledge to help you strive for honesty in relation to yourself and others, you should read this one; it's wise, witty and full of inspiration.

This book offers some wonderful insights into why we do the things we do. Though it is tempting to first look at the discussions of your own type, there is much to learn from the chapter about all of us. The spiritual focus of the book was a great draw for me. The enneagram doesn't just help you learn about yourself, it helps you to better yourself. And in doing so can bring you closer to others and to God.

I have read a lot of books on the Enneagram and I use the Enneagram in my personal growth coaching work. While this is not my all time favorite, it is scholarly, accurate and contains many interesting historical facts specifically relating to Christianity.

This book looks at the Enneagram from a Christian perspective, which is complimentary to many of the other books that are out there on this topic. Within the Christian genre of Enneagram books, this is the best one I know of.

I disagree with Rohr on a few theoretical points, but his presentation of the characteristics of the 9 types is well done. Overall, the book is very engaging and if you are approaching the Enneagram from a Christian perspective, you will probably appreciate the way that this author positions his ideas.

If you are not a Christian, you will still get a lot out of this book. Richard Rohr has deep insights to over on all of the types and he is eloquent in many of his descriptions.

If you want a more psychological non-denominational explanation, then I recommend, "The Wisdom of the Enneagram" by Riso and Hudson. Sandra Maitri's "The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram" is also quite good, especially at describing the shadow aspects of the types at lower developmental levels.

A fantastic tool for understanding not only your self but your partner. I've found it as an amazing tool for reading peoples true motivations before getting involved with them personally or in business. It has many facets and the more you read it over, the more and more it reveals. Very profound.

This book, written by a franciscan lecturer and a Lutheran minister (translated from german entitled Das Enneagram: Die 9 Gesichter der Seele) refreshed my realization that the path to Salvation is the restoration of one's true nature as a person that's inherited from God.

Nothing new age, nor fancy - it speaks of the needed redemption of an individual's moral condition, that have been corrupted as we grow up in this world with the influencing factors of its society, our own individual appetites, and personalities - which thus when a person is redeemed, it transforms the individual into its Higher Self.

Quite comparable with Numerology- some links with the Kabbalah are indicated at certain aspects as presented in some points that line parallel to the Enneagram - in which case links a certain diagram with its particular points patterned with The LORD's PRAYER (Luke 17), that are all quite peculiar enough to suggest that the idealogy presented in the Enneagram were perhaps possibly inspired from the very given pattern for prayer of the Messiah itself; but what's even more curious is how each of the certain character qualities lain in the Enneagram lines correspondingly with undeniable relevance to other points in its diagram (cf. 226-229).
I only find that the only minor off-set in the book is that there are certain portions wherein one of the authors' Catholic background colours within - such as its perspective regarding the account of Christ and his immediate human family found in Matthew's account, chapter 12 verses 46 to 50 (p.219); even more, the authors' statement concerning the account wherein Jesus told Mary Magdalene to refrain from touching him during his first manifestation from ressurection, almost sounded like one of those presuming legends and novels about the conspiracy theories regarding the Christ and the Magdalene myth (p. 59)--
and furthermore, such opinions as that of those books that are found in the Scriptures which are attributed to Solomon, are refered to as only mere alleged connotations and are not based on facts (p. 142).

Some certain territories that are discussed could also well be confusing for most readers (specially americans ~ kidding) such as in its explanation of the Wing Types on the Enneagram.
It is said that this book is a backup supplement for these studies that are originally issued on tapes -- its quite a very good thing that this book came around in that regard, considering that it would be really helpful for those who have Rohr's Enneagram studies on tape with regards to its figures and diagrams which are not that far from being too complex and complicatedly confusing for one to study and follow.

On another level, some individuals might find it hard to identify on which specific ground they identify themselves with the Enneagram, and honesty to oneself is not the matter that's in question about it.
Personally looking at the Enneagram I think I'm close to a five... however, again this book comes to me without any knowledge on my part concerning what it is all about, whether if is it occult, new age or something, as I picked it up from a religious shop at that time - whence come to think of it - I realized that its one of those incidences that's nothing short of somewhat mystical, as if some hand guided and drove me to pick this book.

In total, this book is a good piece and/or introduction for anyone in the topic of study for the Enneagram, nonetheless.

Praise be the Spirit that guide all of us.

INTERESTING FOR THIS FIRST TIMER USING THIS ANCIENT TOOL. Not quite sure if it is furthering my spiritual journey, but not harming it either.

This book gives a very solid, human understanding of the Enneagram. My interest in the Enneagram stems from a glance through "Are you my type, Am I yours". Rohr's book gives much more depth, but fails to be objective in its views. The book is well written but skewed in its viewpoints. My advice is to read this book, but read other ones too.

I bought this book used... doesn't look used,,, it's in great shape... I love the book. it arrived within 3 days of my order.

How can I get a cassettes or Email You for more Information? You Have in Your ...............Keyword search... Books,Popular Music, Classical Music, Viedo But nothing for Cassettes or CDs If you do NOT have them, maybe it would be helpful for you to mention that briefly.