Enneagram
“The personality is meant to be a transparent jewel through which the Light of the Universe shines.”
Sufi Saying
The Enneagram
The Enneagram is a powerful and dynamic psychological, relational, and spiritual system that has the extraordinary capacity to unlock our unconscious, mapping the way to a deep and compassionate understanding of ourselves, others, and the world. Most people investigate the Enneagram initially as a personality typology that describes nine distinct and fundamentally different patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, called Types. This study of the Enneagram of personality uncovers the unconscious motivations or habits of the Type that the person mostly identifies with, leading many to feel more capable of understanding and changing themselves for the better, while simultaneously gaining insight and compassion for others in their lives.
Barbara believes that the Enneagram, when truly understood,
is far more than a personality typology.
The Enneagram’s description of personality types is extremely useful and beneficial. At the same time, the personality type is only a starting point, or portal, for Enneagram work. On a deeper, more subtle level, the Enneagram allows a discernment of energies that each of us embody in very specific ways. As an extraordinary map of consciousness, the sacred Enneagram symbol itself provides a key to unlocking the unconscious, and an opening to process work that can bring about lasting inner transformation, compassion, and freedom.
The Enneagram does not put people into boxes. On the contrary, it helps us to see the box we are unknowingly already in, and can show us the way out.
In the Enneagram, we start with Nine distinct lenses from which we see ourselves, others, and the world.
We all view the world through a certain lens, our Enneagram Type, and we tend to believe that others view the world as we do. We collect evidence to support our point of view and deny evidence to the contrary, entrenching ourselves even more firmly in our own Type bias. By learning to self-observe and bring into awareness our own unconscious motivations and those of others, we can begin to build bridges and reduce conflict. Self-awareness is the pre-requisite. We cannot have a fresh, unadulterated experience of another person when we are stuck in our own personality bias. The Enneagram does not put people into boxes. On the contrary, it helps us to see the box we are unknowingly already in, and can show us the way out.
Barbara urges people to start by seeing panelists speak directly about their type.
When seeing four or five live panelists speak of their type, one understands the powerful thread of what they share in common, while also seeing that they are individuals. This method of learning the Enneagram prevents the usual stereotyping that has, unfortunately, become a part of Enneagram work.
Enneagram Type Panels
Barbara urges people to start by seeing panelists speak directly about their type. When seeing four or five live panelists speak of their type, one understands the powerful thread of what they share in common, while also seeing that they are all unique and multi-dimensional individuals. This method of learning the Enneagram prevents the usual stereotyping that has, unfortunately, become a part of Enneagram work.
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Enneagram Workshops
Besides leading panels, Barbara works experientially, somatically, and energetically with the Enneagram. Once someone has a grasp of their type and instinctual subtype through viewing panels or having a typing interview, Barbara offers a number of workshops and ongoing groups in the safe, secure, and trusting environment of her home, where she also hosts panels. Through a wide variety of practices and exercises, connecting with others, and walking a ten-foot Enneagram floor symbol, Barbara has honed a way to free up the Type energy, opening oneself to the transformational, process work that supports us in living more out or our essential self, our truer nature.
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Private Enneagram Sessions & Typing Interviews
Barbara no longer works on an ongoing basis with private clients. However, she does schedule private sessions for Typing Interviews and occasional Enneagram Coaching. Sessions are scheduled in two hour increments. Please contact Barbara for more information and to schedule.
> contact Barbara
“Barbara is a genuine authority and extraordinary teacher of the Enneagram…”
“Barbara is a genuine authority and extraordinary teacher of the Enneagram system of sacred psychology. She constantly reaches for a deeper grasp of the system’s inner resources and spiritual dimensions, in order to help those seeking self-knowledge, healthier relationships, and spiritual direction. Barbara has an easy way with people as she helps them understand what the Enneagram can do in their work toward wholeness and integrity in personal, social, professional, and spiritual life.”
Helen Palmer
International Best-selling Author & Teacher
“In order to awaken, one must fully understand the nature of the forces which keep him
in a state of sleep.”
G.I. Gurdjieff
