The Enneagram is a personality test (somewhat similar to the Myers-Briggs test) that helps to determine one’s underlying motivators. It can help people understand themselves and others, as well as learn ways to grow. Although it’s roots can be traced back to archetypes in ancient cultures, and many philosophers throughout history had similar concepts, the modern Enneagram was first invented by a Russian mystic, George Gurdjieff, before being expanded on by Chilean psychiatrist, Claudio Naranjo, and Oscar Ichazo, a Bolivian spiritual leader.
The Enneagram is essentially a breakdown of 9 basic personality types:
- The Perfectionist
- The Helper
- The Achiever
- The Individualist
- The Observer
- The Loyalist
- The Enthusiast
- The Challenger
- The Peacekeeper
Each of these also fit into 3 categories or ‘centers’: Thinking (5,6,7), Feeling (2,3,4), and Instinctive (8,9,1), also referred to as “Head Types”, “Heart Types” (those motivated by their emotions), and “Body Types” (who tend to go off gut instinct)
- In addition to the 9 base personality types, there are 3 variations of each, known as Subtypes, or Instinctual Variants: Self-Preservation, Sexual, and Social Instincts.
- Unlike many other personality tests (like the Myers-Briggs test), the Enneagram is flexible and fluid, affirming our own individual traits, challenges, and potential.
If you’re interested in learning where you best fit in, we highly recommend taking the free test here! (EclecticEnergies.com) For a more thorough breakdown of each type, check out Enneagraminstitute.com!
And if you haven’t already, check out the Nerdeagram podcast for more!
Links:
o Free Enneagram Test (EclecticEnergies.com)
o The Art of Growth – Free Enneagram Test
o The Enneagram Institute (Types Explained)
Books and Other Sources:
o “The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge” by Beatrice Chestnut, PHD
o “The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types” by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson
o “Enneagram Empowerment” by Laura Miltenberger
o “The Path Between Us: An Enneagram Journey to Healthy Relationships” by Suzanne Stabile
o “The Instinctual Drives and the Enneagram” by John Luckovich
o “The Fool’s Excellent Adventure: A Hero’s Journey through the Enneagram & Tarot” by Susan Rhodes
o “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell
o “Why Buddhism is True” by Robert Wright
o “Buddha’s Brain” by Rick Hanson, PHD
o “The Psychology of Zelda” by Anthony Bean, PHD
o “Save the Cat! (The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need)” by Blake Snyder
o “Rapid Story Development” (How to Use the Enneagram-Story Connection to Become a Master Storyteller) by Jeff Lyons
o “Essential Astrology” by Amy Herring
You Tube Channels:
o Josh Keefe – Enneagram / Movie Episodes
o Type Cast: Exploring the Enneagram Through Film and Television
o Cinema Therapy! – amazing channel that covers the psychology behind movies
o Abbey Howe – Enneagram Episodes
o Anna Akana – Self Help Channel
Recommended Podcasts:
o The Art of Growth
o The Enneagram Journey
o Around the Circle
o Enneagram in a Movie
o Fathoms
o The Typology Podcast
o Enneagram and Coffee
o Discomfortable
o The Rebel Buddhist Podcast
o We Can Do Hard Things
o Enneagram 2.0
Other Podcasts by Erik Slader and the We Can Make This Work Probably Podcast Network:
o The Super Switch Club: A Nintendo Podcast
Follow us on BlueSky and Instagram @Nerdeagram!
E-mail us directly: Nerdeagram@gmail.com
If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our sponsor: Visit https://betterhelp.com/nerdeagram for a discount on your first month of therapy!