Customer Reviews

The Enneagram of Liberation: From Fixation to Freedom

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With each new chapter, Jaxon-Bear unveils another breed of ego cover-up, another mask, another method of subconscious madness. And yet, he gives us a way out.

After all nine styles of "fixation" are revealed to be only self-hypnosis, role playing- the reader is then set free and may begin a life of true happiness, peace and mental quietude.

The Enneagram of Liberation differs dramatically from the Enneagram books of Riso, Palmer and the like...in that here, the tool is used to LIBERATE instead of further identify with another brand of personality, to better the surface area of personality.

The Enneagram of Liberation illuminates where the ego is stuck and believing itself to be real. When really, ego is mirage, nothing at all. The title is a signal alert to readers that unlike most books on the subject, this one is totally unique by freeing them from what they are about to learn, the very make-up of "who-ness" will be liberated.

Readers will no doubt examine that who-ness, who they have adhered to so adamantly as self. Other books on the subject while informational, lean towards further identification with the points...as in, "How to be a better Eight." But now we see in Jaxon-Bear's context, that is comparable metaphorically with "How to better dress up the jail cell of imaginary confinement and suffering." Clearly, this is a new way of presenting a very ancient symbol, one meant to liberate, not to further enslave.

(good quote alert:)

"Here we have a radically different approach. Those interested in waking up shouldn't miss a page of the book's wisdom, truth, and humor. No one need pass a new age exam to understand. There are no practices, no mandatory mantras. Just a direct route to the core Truth... through self-examination."

With his masterful insight, Jaxon-Bear places the sacred tool of the Enneagram within the context of enlightenment, Satsang, Truth, of waking up to a different kind of identity..no identification at all. He leads us so wisely and simply to what the Tibetans call Super-Consciousness, our own nature. He shows that Self awareness is possible in this life.

(Enlightenment and humor too- I give it an A+)

I just wanted to address the one negative review as I feel that it is misleading
The negative review mistated that Eli's book "veers away and does not give appropriate credit to Enneagram pioneers." in a sense this is true it definitely veers away from the mainstream interpretation of the enneagram but lets illuminate. Eli has given much credit to Gurdjieff (who has been credited with bring the enneagram to the west) and also Eli gives credit to Oscar Ichazo who was a pioneer in applying the ennegram to humanistic psychology. What he does not give much credit to is the jesuit interpretation and the current Riso-Hudson books, the Palmer books, and the countless magazine personality/romance tests.
Where as the Riso-hudson books and the like are interested in defining who you are and maybe helping you create a healthier you. The Jaxson-Bear book is solely interested in you seeing what you have unconsciouly limited yourself as and your experience to and then showing you that boundlessly much more is possible.
So there is a big diference. The Riso-Hudson books say, and I'm paraphrasing - this is who you are and lets make you the best you you can be - the Jaxson-Bear book says -this is what you have unconsciously identified yourself as and it is a cage - lets find the whole truth of who you really are!
All in all it is a powerful book that might just change your entire life.

I thought I was ready to review Eli Jaxon-Bear's "The Enneagram of Liberation" shortly after I first read it, about a year ago. However, in spite of having been a student of the enneagram for many years, I realized that I really didn't have a clear sense of how to describe the book. After a recent second reading, followed by a five-day workshop based on the principles outlined in the book, the penny finally dropped-- this is definitely a fresh new approach to an old system. Indeed, the reviewer with the negative opinion (elsewhere in these pages) is EXACTLY right in saying that this is NOT like other enneagram books.

Eli Jaxon-Bear really did not write a book "about" the Enneagram-- as most people are familiar with it-- as a work to determine psychological personality types; rather, he wrote a book about self-actualization, "using" the Enneagram as a "framework" to guide the reader. If you are looking for a "descriptive text" about the history, use and mechanics of the Enneagram strictly from a personality type perspective, this is probably NOT the best book for you-- I'd recommend something by Riso & Hudson, or by Helen Palmer. However, if you are looking for an insightful spiritually-based guide to self-understanding, this is a very insightful book. Having a working knowledge of the Enneagram might be helpful before starting this book, but is by no means essential.

The author uses the Enneagram to examine the nine different psychological fixations and "ego-structures" that correspond to the nine enneagram points, and explains how each Enneagram type's "fixation" is also what prevents them from living and experiencing an "authentic" life. The text is clear and easy to understand, with the first part of the book covering some basic explanations and background of the system; the largest (middle) section describing the different ego-structures and fixations of each of the nine Enneagram types; the final section offering insights towards attaining an "enlightened" or "liberated" state of being through the realization and acceptance that the limiting "identities" we assume through the ego are no more than illusions. Throughout, Bear offers examples from his workshops, as well as from his own journey of self-discovery, which draws predominantly from Eastern thought and philosophy (Buddhism & Sufism). Overall, I have found "The Enneagram of Liberation" to be a very valuable addition to my library of enneagram books.

Final thoughts: Highly recommended (10 out of a possible 10 bookmarks). However, it is important to remember that this is NOT a book about "personality typing," but a book about self-growth. In general, I'd suggest a working knowledge of the Enneagram prior to reading this, or at least a working knowledge of the self-examination process.

There are many books available about the Enneagram, but this one stands head and shoulders above the crowd. It is particularly helpful for people commited to Eastern spiritual paths, or for those literate in some of the ideas and terms, such as the chakras. Yet it is also appropriate for Westerners who find the ideas of Carl Jung helpful, especially the archetypes. It is respectful of the human spirit in that it does not identify the types by something hard to identify with, like greed, as some Enneagram books do.

Eli's book is one of the most amazing books I have ever read. It brings the wisdom of the Enneagram, an ancient Sufi personality typing system, to us with great clarity. The stand-out feature of this book in comparison to others on the same subject, is that he tells us how to go about transcending our fixations, instead of simply informing us of tendencies. It helps me to see that the goal of other's fixations is to avoid pain, not to drive me crazy. Being a part of a large family, this book has helped me to know what to expect from my family members, and in turn, how to be more accepting of them. This is an invaluable resource for any person who is interested in "self" and "other" investigation.

I've got to say, the title of this book, The Enneagram of Liberation-from fixation to freedom, by Eli Jaxon-Bear, delivers exactly what it says! The book is like no other Enneagram book I've come across, mainly because of the insight Eli has into the true nature and function of the Enneagram. Eli uses the Enneagram as a mirror to discover where the fixated ego originates, and thus presents the possiblity of continuing to indulge in it, or a being free of it. Within this very cover is the doorway to Liberation. Those interested in freedom, true freedom, have found the end of the search right here! What a truly glorious gift.

The world appears to be in a very desperate place. This desperation is calling us to wake-up from the trance of "me". Elis' profound and enlightened transmission of this wisdom mirror called the Enneagram gives us the very roadmap into the misidentificaton as a fixation, a "me". Elis' presence in my life and the clarity of his approach to the Enneagram has changed my life completely. By seeing the traps of misidentification that the Enneagram makes obvious, I have been able to stop indulging in fixated and conditioned responses to life. Now I live and move from a place of stillness and love. This is a gift beyond measure and comprehension and I am deeply and forever grateful. I can't reconmend this book highly enough!

I agree with the other slightly disappointed reviewer. The author too often relies on stereotyping, generalizing and anecdotes. I thought, the enneagram refers to the character of individuals. If that is so, how can Jaxon-Bear refer to entire countries as one type if they are made up of highly diverse individuals. Where do drop-outs or regime critics fit in who were born and raised in a country? That is where his stereotyping (mostly negative anyway, i.e. Austrians only bathe once a week) comes in. How can the author consider himself spiritual and still revert to such superficial narrow-mindedness? On the positive side, he does give some valuable insights in childhood dynamics and trauma that would explain fixations.

This book goes beyond the psychological perspective many have on the enneagram to show how it can be used as a tool on the spiritual path to egolessness, or enlightenment. That does not mean that the psychological insights are not excellent, however, as they are, and identifying your ego type within the enneagram structure will be easy with this guide. In addition you will discover the approach best suited to your release of this structure. However, this book is not light reading for someone that is not accustomed to spiritual literature.

This is truly one of the most powerful and useful books I have read, in years of searching. Eli Jaxon-Bear beautifully discusses the nine styles of character fixation, based on the ancient teachings of the Enneagram. With deeper awareness of our own fixation, we are able to catch ourselves in our own destructive dances, and let our pure Self take over. Eli brings years of study of the Enneagram to this book, but even more importantly, he brings truth and clarity that radiates from his own purity and enlightenment. If you are earnestly seeking Truth, this book is a necessary companion.