The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram: Nine Faces of the Soul [Paperback]

Yes, the book DOES touch on the "Nine Points" of the enneagram in the "personality type" context most people know it, and it covers the psychological aspects of the different "types." The majority of "The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram" is dedicated to a thorough discussion of each of the nine enneagram points, examining the way each has "lost touch" with its essence or "Holy Idea;" describing the psychological and environmental circumstances for these losses, and then offering guidance on how to recover the part of the self that has been lost. That is an oversimplification, of course, as there is SO much more here. Maitri takes us on a spiritual journey that comes as close as ANY contemporary writer to reaching the origins of the enneagram as a system for integrating the nine ASPECTS (as opposed to personality "TYPES") of human consciousness into a whole and self-actualized person. And, in taking that journey, readers must be prepared to look "beneath the surface" and examine some of the "not so nice" (or "shadow" aspects) of their beings. Whereas the insights offered are often profound, they may also be a bit disturbing to some readers-- in the sense one would feel "disturbed" by a writer's ability to describe parts of one's psyche that has never been shared with anyone else.

The term "sprituality" by no means makes this a "religious" book-- an angle I generally avoid in a psychology and self-help context. Instead, it is a book about understanding and healing our souls, regardless of religious orientation.

Final thoughts: HIGHLY recommended (10 out of 10 possible bookmarks), possibly the best enneagram related book I have read in 10+ years! Definitely a book for the "serious student;" familiarity with the enneagram and the process of objective self-scrutiny is STRONGLY suggested (if not *essential*)-- as is a strong vocabulary and knowledge of the finer nuances of the English language. A gem of a book, but NOT for the faint of heart.

Thanks for reading,

--Peter

I have read several books on the enneagram, which I found insightful, informative and fascinating. This book, on the other hand, made me dread turning each page. The author seemed more concerned with impressing the reader with her difficult language and grammar, showing her intellectual prowess, than teaching the reader the beauty of the enneagram. In additional to it being a dreadful read (on a subject that is hard to make dreadful), she focused on the dark aspects of each ennea-type, without going into how we can escape the darkness.

The author stated in the beginning that her book would be better than others because it would be about developing spiritually, rather than using the enneagram as a mere psychological tool. This promise made me read more of the book (all of it) than I wanted - but I never found words on developing and getting better. It was page after page of using difficult words and grammar to tell us how each ennea-type is darker than the one before.

If you're looking for a good read, pick up something by Donald Riso.

Each Enneatype is therefore a way to spin reality, to make it look like we are not broken and lost. This work is so powerful it might cause you to break down and cry, because it will nail your way to avoid life. After you cry you will feel 'born again' with a fresh new look on life.

I have read this book three times and sent 4 copies to my friends. Our local UU church here in Alabama has a 17 member study group meeting once a week, working through this wonderful book. The release of this book will be marked in history as a major event leading the Western Culture to the exploration of Enlightenment and the end of all sorrow.

May you find Enlightenment as a personal experience.. Bill Savoie