The Multidimensional Enneagram Immersion

David, Helen, Russ, and Jessica will share the journey that brought them to discovering the Enneagram, why they value it, and why they are participating in this course. You will then explore definitions of core principles and dynamics of the Enneagram, including the following core concepts that apply to each type:

• The passion (core suffering)
• Fixation (compensatory habit or dynamic)
• Shifting from vice to virtue
• Dynamism and change of movement along the arrows
• Instincts
• Development of the inner observer
• Developing Presence

You’ll emerge with a solid foundation that you can apply to each of the nine types in the next nine modules.

Type eights are often described as protectors or challengers. At their best they show us how much vibrancy and power there is in each moment, and yet those qualities in eights and each one of us can become distorted, causing us to be dominating and insensitive. Understanding type eight opens pathways to discovering real inner strength and open-heartedness, helping you to navigate the challenges of your life without shutting yourself down.

In this module you will:

• Learn how to recognize and attune to the presence of authentic strength and power in yourself
• Understand the developmental pathway of the eight into higher expression of its core gifts
• See how anger reinforces the eight structure
• Understand the core fear and compensatory habits of eights
• Connect your sense of strength with true open-heartedness
• Understand how the eight illuminates your own distortions and fears about power
• Know the difference between real strength and “toughening yourself up,” between being powerful and being controlling or dominating
• Identify pathways to relax inner structures and experience authentic vitality, strength and potency
• Differentiate key “Wake Up Calls” or observations of patterns for the eight, and how to navigate them
• Learn tips and strategies for interacting more successfully with the eights in your life
• See the ways that the eight expresses differently in typical men and women

Type nines are often described as peacemakers or mediators. At their best they show you how to harmonize with everything and how to relax into reality, and yet those qualities in nines and each one of us can become distorted, causing us to be disconnected and passive. Understanding type nine opens pathways to discovering a true inner peace, that fosters a more expanded capacity to flow with, and take action in, reality as needed.

In this module you will:

• Learn how to cultivate embodied presence, making it possible for you to be engaged with each moment from authentic inner peace
• Understand the developmental pathway of the nine to its higher expression of core gifts
• See how anger reinforces the nine structure
• Understand how type nine illuminates your own distortions about connection and unity
• Know the difference between authentic inner peace and numbing out, between cultivating harmony and being conflict-avoidant
• Become aware of the power of integrating the gifts of stillness, dynamism, and the flow between them
• Identify pathways for relaxing inner structures, and experiencing true inner peace, equanimity, and harmonious participation with life’s challenges
• Differentiate key “Wake Up Calls” or observations of patterns for the nine, and how to navigate them
• Learn tips and strategies for interacting more successfully with nines in your life
• See the ways that nine expresses differently in typical men and women

Type ones are often described as perfectionists or reformers. At their best they show the importance and sacredness of everything and every moment, and yet those qualities in ones and each one of us can become distorted, causing us to be rigid and judgemental. Understanding type one opens alignment with a sense of the basic goodness in each moment, making it more possible for us to see the right action in every moment without attachment or aversion.

In this module you will:

• Learn how to align with integrity in your body, heart and mind, and develop the willingness to be of service, or respond to the needs of each moment
• Understand the developmental pathway of the one to its higher expression of core gifts
• Learn the core fear and compensatory habits of ones
• Understand how type one illuminates our own distortions and fears about integrity and being right
• Learn how to tell the difference between discerning wisdom for ourselves or others- and judging ourselves or others, between a deep source of wisdom and integrity – and our “inner critic” or superego
• Understand how anger reinforces the one structure
• Develop a deeper acceptance of all circumstances and challenges, recognizing the perfection of each moment
• Differentiate key “Wake Up Calls” or observations of patterns for the one and how to navigate them
• Learn tips and strategies for interacting more successfully with ones in your life
• See the ways that one expresses differently in typical men and women

Type twos are often described as givers or helpers. At their best they show us the beauty and healing power of responding to needs arising from suffering or wholeness, and yet these qualities in twos and each one of us can become distorted, causing us to be co-dependent and self-sacrificing. Understanding type two helps you feel a well-spring of natural desire to support and care for your life, relationships, and the journeys of others.

In this module you will:

• Learn how to open to the real love that exists within you for yourself and others, and come to a deeper understanding of what it means to love yourself.
• Understand the developmental pathways for the two to its higher expression of core gifts
• Learn the core fear and compensatory habits of twos
• Understand how type two illuminates our own distortions and fears about need and love
• Learn to recognize and support the development of the responsive and compassionate part of your nature
• Know how to recognize the difference between attunement and merging, between unconditional love and caring – and over-giving
• Understand how distress reinforces the two structure
• Identify pathways to relaxing the inner structures, and experience the natural flow of giving and receiving equally
• Differentiate key “Wake Up Calls” or observations of patterns for the two, and how to navigate them
• Learn tips and strategies for interacting more successfully with twos in your life
• See the ways that two expresses differently in typical men and women

Type threes are often called the performer or the achiever. At their best they show that it is possible to fully develop your capacities, and yet those qualities in threes and in each of us can become distorted, causing emotional disconnection and vanity. Understanding type three supports you to cultivate the full measure of your intrinsic gifts and potential, as well as create a balanced love of self and others.

In this module you will:

• Learn how to relax out of shame about your capacities and gifts
• Understand the developmental pathways for the three to its highest expression of core gifts
• Learn the core fear and compensatory habits of threes
• Understand how type three illuminates our own distortions and fears about worthiness
• Know the difference between authentic action and promoting yourself, between personal value and self-inflation
• Examine the relationship between being and doing, and see how genuine being/presence makes our work more effortless and enjoyable – and connects it with the real wishes of our hearts
• Understand how distress reinforces the three structure
• Differentiate key “Wake Up Calls” or observations of patterns for the three, and how to navigate them
• Discover pathways to relaxing the inner structures, thus experiencing real self-worth, authenticity, and how these give a ground of being for actions that are fulfilling for yourself and others
• Learn tips and strategies for interacting more successfully with threes in your life
• See the ways that three expresses differently in typical men and women

Type fours are often called individualists or romantics. At their best they show that creative and authentic self-expression can lead to deep intimacy with ourselves, others and life, and yet these qualities in fours and each of us can become distorted, causing us to be moody and envious. Understanding type four helps you open to your most intimate and true identity, and to experience that as a key to a beautiful and deeply meaningful life.

In this module you will:

• Learn how to experience deep compassion, and creatively open to the depth of your own being as a gateway to real intimacy with others and vice versa.
• Understand the developmental pathway of the four to its higher expression of core gifts
• Learn the core fear and compensatory habits of fours
• Understand how type four illuminates your own distortions and fears about your sense of identity
• Learn how to tell the difference between authentic emotional expression and reactivity, between being your true self and trying to be unique
• Understand how distress reinforces the four structure
• Learn to recognize the depth of your presence, as well as learning to notice when it drops out of your experience
• Identify pathways to relax inner structures, and experience the innate beauty, depth, intimacy and richness of each moment
• Learn about the core trait of abandonment that creates endless yearning and frustration among fours
• Differentiate key “Wake Up Calls” or observations of patterns for the four, and how to navigate them
• Learn tips and strategies for interacting more successfully with fours in your life
• See the ways that four expresses differently in typical men and women

Type fives are often described as investigators or observers. At their best they show the power of clarity and insight to illuminate life and come to deep truths, and yet those qualities can become distorted in fives causing them to be withholding and emotionally detached. Understanding fives opens you to a world of curiosity and wonder, making it possible for you to perceive reality more clearly.

In this module you will:

• Learn how to open to pathways of focus, inquiry and awareness,
• Understand the developmental pathway of the five into higher expression of its core gifts
• Understand how to more fully access the quieter part of our mind responsible for our big discoveries – both personal and professional
• Learn some of the psychodynamic issues that cause our direct knowing to shut down
• Gain experience in the connection between embodied presence and direct knowing
• See how fear reinforces the five structure
• Understand the core fear and compensatory habits of fives
• Understand how the five illuminates our own distortions and fears about perception and intelligence
• Identify pathways to relax inner structures and experience focused attention and direct knowing – what the Greeks called “gnosis”
• Differentiate key “Wake Up Calls” and observations of the patterns for the five, and how to navigate them
• Learn tips and strategies for interacting more successfully with the fives in your life
• See the ways that the five expresses differently in typical men and women

Type sixes are often described as loyalists or loyal skeptics. At their best, they show how commitment and trust for life and others cultivates problem-solving skills and intuition that contribute to life, and yet these qualities can become distorted in sixes and in all of us, causing us to be doubting and paranoid. Understanding sixes can help open a doorway to your intuition and to a faith that your natural instincts will lead to actions that create harmony. You will see how body, heart and mind can align with deeper knowing, and cooperate with others toward goals that can transcend your immediate personal interests.

In this module you will:

• Begin to experience the focus and purpose that open-minded, three-centered guidance can bring to each moment, decision and action.
• Understand the developmental pathway of the six into higher expression of its core gifts
• Learn to recognize and access deeper sources of inner guidance
• Learn some of the psychodynamic issues that tend to create the most stress and anxiety in us, and how to work with them
• See how fear reinforces the six structure
• Understand the core fear and compensatory habits of sixes
• Understand how the six illuminates our own distortions and fears about trust
• Explore the difference between clear movement of true guidance and impulsivity, between being thoughtful and compulsively doubting
• Identify pathways to relax inner structures and experience more courage and true guidance
• Differentiate key “Wake Up Calls” and observations of patterns for the six, and how to navigate them
• Learn tips and strategies for interacting more successfully with the sixes in your life
• See the ways that the six expresses differently in typical men and women

Type sevens are often described as enthusiasts or epicures. At their best they show how flow and natural positivity open up beneficial possibilities and bring joy to life, and yet these qualities can become distorted in sevens and in all of us, causing us to be escapist and distracted. Understanding sevens supports your natural desire to abide in causeless happiness, and to open to new experiences and vistas in your life.

In this module you will:

• Feel inspired to open to deeper gratitude and the experience of joyfully inhabiting the fullness of every moment
• Understand the developmental pathway of the seven into higher expression of its core gifts
• Discover some of the psychodynamic issues that tend to dull our sense of joy and to send us off in ultimately frustrating pursuits
• Recognize the secret doorway of abiding – patiently being with what is here now and letting the deep treasures of reality reveal themselves
• Understand the core fear and compensatory habits of sevens
• Understand how the seven illuminates our own distortions and fears about happiness and freedom
• Know the difference between positive orientation and avoidance of emotional pain, between flexibility/flow and empowering your distractions
• See how fear reinforces the seven structure
• Identify pathways to relax inner structures and experience true spontaneity, delight and inner freedom
• Differentiate key “Wake Up Calls” or observations of patterns for sevens, and how to navigate them
• Learn tips and strategies for interacting more successfully with the sevens in your life
• See the ways that the seven expresses differently in typical men and women

Because of the depth of this course over an extended period of time much of what happens at this last class will arise out of the sharing, questions and experiences of the whole community during the nine months, and the faculty’s sense of what would support people most in creating enduring transformation.

This module will include:

• Sharing, teachings and tips for long-term integration
• Inner exercises
• Questions and answers
• Practices and recommended resources for deepening your inquiry