The Enneagram and Kabbalah: Reading Your Soul [Paperback]

Howard A. Addison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2006

Patterns in our lives may escape us; reasons for our behavior often confuse us. To help us better understand the interplay of these dynamics, Rabbi Howard A. Addison combines two of the most powerful maps of consciousness known to humanity: the Tree of Life (the sefirot) from the Jewish mystical tradition of Kabbalah, and the nine-pointed Enneagram that was developed over several generations by mystics of several spiritual traditions.

Individually, each offers guidance and wisdom; together, they show the forces that propel us and shape our personalities and behavior. Most important, the two suggest how we can live more harmoniously with ourselves and with others, minimize friction and tension and discover our own spiritual gateway to God.

In this updated and expanded edition of his pioneering book, Rabbi Addison explores new understandings of the stages and pitfalls we experience along life's journey and the ways we can transcend the limits of our personalities in search of greater wholeness. He shows that, when brought together, the Enneagram and Kabbalah may enhance understanding of humanity's deepest motivations--both individually and collectively--thus opening wider the gate to personal growth.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The Kabbalah is ages old; the Enneagram, though it has its roots in the Middle Ages, has gained prominence as a New Age phenomenon. This book purports to show the link between the two and to provide background on the Enneagram, which is a personality-typing process based on personal Enneagram numbers, one through nine. Addison says in his introduction that learning his number was "transformative" for him, yet the book's problem centers on that very issue. Rather brief initial descriptions of the traits of all nine numbers are given, but the information is simply too sketchy for readers to decide what numbers they may be. As each number connects with each point on the Tree of Life, further examination of a number's traits is supplied, but even this may not be enough for someone to decide which number is his or hers. This book will be of most use to those already familiar with both Kabbalah and the Enneagram (and who know their numbers). For this audience, Addison makes a real contribution by offering analysis, meditative techniques, a biblical figure with which to identify, and ways to begin or renew Jewish observance by connecting traditions with the aspects of a particular number. Recommended where interest in the Enneagram is growing. Ilene Cooper --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

"A rich blend of practical and spiritual advice. Enneagram enthusiasts will welcome this new addition to what has become an ever-expanding field of study." -- Values and Visions

"An excellent, insightful book." -- Enneagram Monthly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing; 2 Rev Exp edition (February 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580232299
• ISBN-13: 978-1580232296
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #836,240 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent reference for adepts, perfect for beginners., September 28, 1999

By 

Stephen B. Dwyer "Kush" (Syosset, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Enneagram and Kabbalah: Reading Your Soul (Paperback)

this is one of my favorite books on the enneagram. as a long time student of the enneagram i continue my discussion on the topic through an online discussion group. so many of the topics we discuss are very clearly laid out, and organized in this book, making it an excellent reference resourse. the rabbi has combined a very complete over view with fresh archtypes from the kabbalah for expansion of the characterizations of type. this is also one of my favorite books to get for friends that i am introducing to the enneagram, because it is so comprehensive and easy to understand.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gentle and Honest Approach, December 3, 2007

By 

Ann Bronte (Portland OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Enneagram and Kabbalah: Reading Your Soul (Paperback)

This is my favorite book on the enneagram and definitely the best written by an author speaking out of his religious tradition. Addison does a remarkale job writing from a pastoral model, that is he comes from a place of Hearing, a place of hesed. Compassion, but more.
I had great difficulty with the enneagram and resisted it as my introdcution to it was harsh. This is the book for introduction to the enneagram; and the Kabbalah adds depth to its meaning.I particulary love how Addison employs characters from scripture to illustrate certain types. Kudos to Addison for hearing and speaking truth in the spirit of chesed. Please forgive any misunderstanding of terms . . . I speak fom a Christian orientation.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Original and Ambitious Take on the Enneagram, March 31, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Enneagram and Kabbalah: Reading Your Soul (Paperback)

A good book for enneagram enthusiasts, and also a good way to get a taste of Jewish mysticism. The author writes responsibly and carefully and offers some real insights. Of course, one has to accept the correlations he makes between the enneatypes and the points on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life -- but he does argue from a place of scholarship. This reader wishes that he could have been a little more careful to reiterate the meaning of certain phonetic Hebrew terms that he uses freely throughout the book. But, overall, an impressive and worthwhile addition to enneagram literature and a good primer on Kabbalah.