The Enneagram
Introduction to the Enneagram
The Enneagram of Personality is a dynamic personality typing system with its roots in a long history of observing human behavior. It outlines nine different personality types with each type operating out of a mix of both natural gifts and developed defensive strategies. Once these gifts and defensive strategies are recognized, self-awareness and behavioral choice increase. The areas of life where these changes can take place are numerous resulting in increased success and satisfaction.
Enneagram Insights
It’s all one thing
Could it be that one of the first wrong turns we took as we journeyed through life was the one whose sign read “You are alone.” This insidious ever creeping lie has caused us a whole heap of suffering. Luckily for us there are many alternative routes whose signs read “You belong; you are inside the circle that holds everything and everyone.”
I think it is quite wonderful how generous God, Life, the Universe, Love (whatever name you use) is to offer so many ways back to this original truth. I have found the Enneagram to be one of these paths as it highlights for us both the powerful truths and the powerful lies we encounter along our journey.
With a repeating theme of the oneness of everything, and a rejection of the isolated separateness of anything, we hope to bring insights from the Enneagram that will encourage you toward wholeness and the love of all things.
We will be providing Enneagram Insights each first and third Mondays beginning in January. Make sure to sign up using the form to the right if you would like to receive Enneagram Insights in your inbox.
Sali Honess-Ondrey
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The inner triangle, the miracle of waking up at point 9
When we began the topic of the Inner Triangle in the Enneagram Insights I mentioned that I would be showing you how the Inner Triangle points to both the self-awareness and the problem-solving wisdom of the Enneagram. During the first half of the Inner Triangle’s journey keen self-awareness and wise problem solving have been in […]
The Inner Triangle, Point 3, Double Down to Deal With Fear
Welcome back to our journey around the Enneagram’s Inner Triangle. After starting at Point 9 and hitting Point 6 we arrive at Point 3 where our task is to deal with our fear that has been mounting. We are capable of holding a lot of fear, but too much over a long period of time […]
The Inner Triangle, Point 6, We Open our Eyes
In the last Insights we began the Inner Triangle journey at Point 9 where we, while “asleep” and unaware, solved the pain and fear of not being seen or welcomed by letting go of certain behaviors (coming out of Gift) which didn’t seem to be working and developed other behaviors (coming out of Defensive Strategy) we thought […]
The Inner Triangle, How We Got Lost
In our last Insight I introduced you to the Inner Triangle that illuminates our universal (shared) human story, where we all started and how we get to where we are now. It is an important part of the Enneagram symbol as it explains how and why we lost track of our Gifts and replaced them with our Defensive Strategy, […]
Let Me Introduce You To The Inner Triangle
The Enneagram is a great self-awareness tool highlighting what is important to us and how we interact in the world. It’s also a great problem-solving tool for when things aren’t going so well helping us find better ways to interact. It contrasts behaviors that come from our strengths (I call these our Gifts) and behaviors […]
Enneagram Insights: The Law of Seven, How Things Unfold
I began these Enneagram Insights discussing the Law of One and the Law of Three because these overarching concepts are part of the wisdom contained in the Enneagram. Today we move to the Law of Seven represented by the six inner lines that begin and end at point One called the “hexad.” Recall the previous […]
Enneagram Insights: The Law of Three Invites Either/Or to Shift to Both/And
In the previous scene of our drama, point 9 showed up in hopes of casting a new vision by inviting our opposing characters to reconsider their Either/Or-ing. What could be their response? Let’s imagine the following. We watch point 9 assure both 3 and 6 that they are being heard, affirming that they both bring […]
Enneagram Insights: The Law of Three and Both/And
We have been exploring the Law of Three represented by the triangle held squarely in the middle of the Enneagram’s circle, listening for the wisdom it wants us to take hold of and practice. Last time we left off with the “tug of influence” happening between point 3’s “Yes!” and point 6’s “No1”. And remember […]
Enneagram Insights: The Law of Three and Either/Or
Like the Law of One, the Law of Three represents a concept that is independent of the Enneagram but that the Enneagram points us toward. If we could personify the Enneagram, it would be saying, “Hey! Keep in mind this important truth as you live your life. You will benefit greatly!” Let’s continue this personification […]
Enneagram Insights: The Law of Three Reflected in the Triangle of the Enneagram
March 21, 2022 Over the last twenty years, the Enneagram has gained greater public recognition in the United States. It is increasingly common to hear people speak of the Enneagram “types,” with varying degrees of accuracy (myself included!). We know from our attention to the Law of One that there is much more than “type […]
Enneagram Insights: Belonging, the Law of One
The truth of the Law of One—that nothing is separate from, but rather everything is part of—is truly mind blowing to the ego, which believes the inverse. Ego has us believing that there is limited room at the table. If you are there, there may not be room for me. Ego has us believing that […]
Enneagram Insights: The Transforming Power of Love and the Law of One
When talking about the Enneagram types, something that has felt a bit off for me is a bent toward the low side of each type. I often hear people speaking of their type with the low descriptors, giving no amplitude to the high descriptors, as though these high ones don’t exist. In my teaching I […]
Workshops
We offer several workshops for those new to the Enneagram, or to those who wish to explore the Enneagram on a deeper level.
Teachers
The Journey Center of Chicago has two certified Enneagram teachers. Both have experience leading individuals and groups through the Enneagram.
Sali Honess-Ondrey
Sali was first introduced to the Enneagram in 2000 using the wisdom it offered in her private counseling practice. In 2016 she was certified as an Enneagram Trainer through Enneagram Spectrum program. Since that time Sali has developed and facilitated several workshops for a variety of groups from corporate employees to those living in generational poverty and the homeless. She has been a Certified Spiritual Director since 2010.
In 2021 Sali became an Accredited Professional with the International Enneagram Association. To learn more visit: https://salihonessondrey.com/
Pam Sutherland
Pam is a certified spiritual director and Enneagram teacher. She uses the Enneagram extensively in her work with individuals, couples, leadership teams, and groups as a framework for facilitating deeper self-awareness, mutual understanding, appreciation, and compassion. She is certified in Enneagram Spectrum and Bringing out the Best in Yourself at Work, and has extensive training in the Enneagram Instincts and Subtypes. Learn more at http://present-journey.com.