The use of the Enneagram, a typological system with supposedly Sufi origins, has spread widely in the Catholic Church. The Church is, indeed, in need of a deeper psychological awareness in order to deal with a multitude of pastoral and spiritual problems. But it is possible in a spirit of gentle inquiry to address some questions to the Enneagram movement in the hope that any dialogue would only strengthen the good work that they are doing.

1. A minor point. The historical origins of the Enneagram remain unclarified. Is there any foundation to the claim for ancient Sufi origins? If not, where did it come from? See, in this connection, the interesting "A Brief Report on the Origins of the Enneagram" at http://www.natcath.com/NCR_Online/documents/ennea2.htm

2. Is there one Enneagram system, or many distinct systems, depending on who is expounding it? Or to put it another way, is each major presenter sort of inventing the system as they go along?

3. The Enneagram is based on type descriptions rather than on basic type elements. While at first grance this may seem to be an obscure point, it is really rather important. Nine descriptions in themselves are simply not flexible enough to describe the full spectrum of human variation. There is an inner movement from type descriptions to typologies based on fundamental type elements. In short, what happens is that the descriptions tend to become more complicated and unwieldy. What are the basic elements underlying the basic Enneagram descriptions?

4. The Enneagram certainly plugs into the reality of individual differences that underlie all major typologies. So it works inasmuch as it does express that reality. Further, bridges could be built between the Enneagram and Jung's typology, as different people have begun to do, but how complete are the Enneagram descriptions? Do they, for example, deal with the unconscious as well as the conscious? Do they deal with the body and the physically conditioned temperament?

5. A final, and I think most important point, the Enneagram is basically a descriptive system, a kind of descriptive house, that is being erected with a certain enthusiasm and freshness because the Church is in dire need of practical psychological knowledge. But what of the building's foundations? Is the Enneagram a genuine psychology, a viable empirical science of the psyche, or just the fragment of one? Is it a descriptive system in search of its foundations? If the Church is urged in one fashion or another to adopt the Enneagram, and even if it does so, there is no guarantee that the Enneagram will ever develop into an integral psychology with a full complement of therapeutic techniques. A descriptive typology like the Enneagram can spring up rapidly, but it can fade just as rapidly unless it sends down its roots and draws nourishment from a fully developed psychology. Can the Enneagram do this?

Now it is your turn to contribute to this discussion. Send us your questions and comments: arraj@innerexplorations.com

A Response from Jacques Leurs

1. No. The sources of the Enneagram are indeterminate and it is more than probable that it evoluted during the last years as well as over the entire history. The sources go back to Pythagoras and it is presumed that he found the knowledge in Egypt. All written versions of esoteric knowledge capable of stating the sources are unknown before 1920, Guerdjieff, Ouspensky, Ichazo, etc.

2. No. There is only one Enneagram and it is still in evolution. The Enneagram is not the study of the psyche of man, but the study of evolution. Healthy people’s minds are in evolution and the Enneagram is the tool to help them do it.

I described the certification of company’s in the Enneagram which enabled multi-certification under one program, and allows the user to understand any rule or prescription described under that form. See www.123iso.com for more information.

3. Wrong. The Enneagram is based on the 3 basic elements of Intuition, Feeling and Thinking. Nine descriptions in themselves are simply not flexible enough to describe the full spectrum of human variation correctly, but the Enneagram allows an infinity of variations. I developed a test and never found 2 identical outcomes. Reading Helen Palmer or Don Riso will clarify that point completely. Ouspensky will introduce you to the evolution, called the fourth way, and this will make it clear that the reality is reflected in the Enneagram as good as possible.

The complication depends on the reader’s knowledge and experience to deal with the Enneagram. It is not fast food. It needs time to be integrated in your mind and to be understood. The basic elements are the basic human energies and the combination of use typical for each individual.

4. Bridges are built. I intend to publish them on www.123enneagram.com as soon as I have the time. The Enneagram more than any other teaching deals with conscious and the unconscious. It is the essence for evolution. However, conscious and the unconscious may not be defined as people generally expect it to be. That is the confronting side of the Enneagram, and only when one becomes really conscious will growth be enabled in this model. The body is dictated by the mind and reflects often the character. However, the Enneagram did not consecrate very much attention on this subject.

5. Wrong. The Enneagram is older than any known church, so it cannot be created for the purpose of any church. The spiritual dimension, however, is very present in the Enneagram. The Enneagram has no tendency towards any religion, or denial of any religion. There is no guarantee that the Enneagram will ever develop into an integral psychology with a full complement of therapeutic techniques.

If 3,000 years is rapidly I prefer to wait till competing or alternative systems reach that age to start comparison. The Enneagram provided already more than the above requests and doing so it proves to be a universal language with music dance psychology and even certification tools. Glad to know where ever other system can be found with equal capabilities.

See more information on the Enneagram from his websites: www.123iso.com, www.123enneagram.com and www.123analyze.com

Now it is your turn to contribute to this discussion. Send us your questions and comments: arraj@innerexplorations.com