05/04/2023
We all make mistakes in life. I made the mistake of becoming certified as an enneagram coach and using the enneagram in my coaching, guiding others to 'know themselves on a deeper level' and 'grow to a higher understanding of self'.
Knowing yourself is knowing you are a child of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. Understanding ourselves comes from belief in Christ followed by confession, repentance and forgiveness.
I have fought to get straight answers on how the enneagram was developed and below are the facts. I encourage you to explore the roots of this tool if you are conflicted about using it in your life.
I apologize for using and teaching this tool.
HISTORY OF THE ENNEAGRAM
Melissa Doherty
• Ennea=9
• Grama-Something written
Real history:
• The symbol originated in the late 1800’s by Gurdjieff. A diagram of cosmic reality. New age people describe it like this--A mystical, metaphysical tool. How the points connect are the non-apparent relationships that require a deeper engagement to be part of. Requires intention and focus and energy. No process occurs in a linear fashion.
Who was Gurdjieff?
o An esoteric spiritual seeker looking into secretive religions.
o Developed the 9-point diagram called the Enneagon, a diagram of cosmic reality.
o Thought this could illustrate mathematical and spiritual laws.
o Came up with the law of 3 and the law of 7. Had nothing to do with personality.
o Was raised orthodox but turned away and into esoteric teachings.
o All of reality could be summed up here.
o Died in 1949
His follower P.D. Ouspenski
o Wrote about the enneagon as a spiritual diagram and added the 3 areas of man (mind, heart and body).
o Writings were published by his wife after his death. Next came Oscar Ichazo.
Ichazo
o Founded a school called Arica (still around) in Chile.
o Was an occult teacher.
o Secret teachings in his school.
o Originally said it was given from a historical source
o Claimed later he was given the origins of ego fixations from a higher source, 2 spirits; Metatron and Green Q’tub
o Our essence is covered up by our false self our ego and how we have been conditioned.
o Naranjo was one of his students
o Died in 2020
Naranjo
o Chilean psychiatrist
o Claimed the enneagram was ancient. Not ancient at all.
o Naranjo said HE came up with the 9 personality types based on observations and mostly from automatic writing. 3:50 in this video: https://youtu.be/wlO3KJWnNd8
o He went to Esalen a think tank for new age and psychological experimental therapies.
o Bob Ox, a Jesuit, came to Esalen, learned from Naranjo and brought them to the Catholic church.
At this time was both in the new age and the catholic church.
Never endorsed by the Catholic church
o Died in 2019
Richard Rohr
o Taught it so people can get in touch with their true selves.
o A tool to find your inner divinity.
o Catholic priest who is in line with new age beliefs.
Suzanne Stabile learned about it from Richard Rohr
Ian Cron learned about it from Richard Rohr
Chris Huertz learned from Richard Rohr.
o Includes learning it from Helen Palmer as well.
o Not based on psychological studies. Came out of the new age. Easy to identify with something else—astrology, birth chart, etc.. We want to latch onto things that are self-absorbed.
o When he published The Sacred Enneagram, it gave the enneagram another push in the church.
Helen Palmer (a former psychic) implemented the enneagram with her new age philosophies.
The Road Back to You in 2016 by Stabile and Cron gave a stamp of approval for the enneagram. THIS is when the explosion of the Enneagram happened in the church.
