Customer Reviews

The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram: Nine Faces of the Soul

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Sandra Maitri's "The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram" is, without doubt, the most insightful and meaningful book on the enneagram I have read. However, I must also agree with Ms. Maitri's own comments elsewhere on this page and caution potential readers that this is not a "beach read" and is best suited as reading for those who are seriously ready-- and honestly ABLE-- to take a deeper look at their own psycho-spiritual essence and soul. This is not a pop-psychology "personality typing" book, but rather a valuable guide for people-- "seekers"-- on their journey of self-discovery, transformation and self-realization.

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 was eager to read this book based on a friend's recommendation and the other reviews online. I was greatly disappointed when I read it, however.

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.

When we are fully awake and alive to the present moment, we don't need a personality. Sandra documents the fall into uncounsciousness most of us took between the ages of 3 and 6 where we built a personality. A personality is our way to fake it when we are not fully connected. She documents a way to see the personality as having 9 types. Each of these types hides an aspect of truth that we fail to experience. Each type is a way to fake being connected.

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

Sandra Maitri's book is deeply insightful. It is a book that I return to again and again for glimpses into myself and others. It is "the" essential book on the Enneagram. In the work of self-knowledge, I have not found a more useful text that examines the wounding and personality formation that colors our projections, and thus how we see the world.

It is a wonderful book to travel with. Out of our mundane context, with time to reflect, we have the opportunity to see ourselves more clearly. Maitri's book can help put the proper emphasis on the constellation of our characteristics. It also provides insight into our partnerships and relationships as we struggle to understand each other.

It is a work of love and compassion.

Refreshing synthesis of psychology and spirituality-far more depth than the popular enneagram books, which leave you wanting (most other books are introductory by comparison). Very readable and accessible. After having bought so many books through Amazon, this is the first book I am compelled to recommend.

This book connects the nine points and shows how they all fit into a great spiritual whole in a way that no other book does. As Geneen Roth says in the intro, I already KNOW all of these things about myself, and while there is some comfort in seeing a pattern, what am I supposed to do with this info? Am I to be stuck forever as a discontented four? This book shows how transformation is possible and how each point represents an aspect of the divine unfolding. It lifts the Enneagram above the pop psyc level where you just find out who is compatible with whom. Well written, wonderful style.

I am a a student of the Enneagram and of many spiritual methods. This is one of the best books I have ever read about how the soul lives, breathes, and transforms. Ms. Maitri presents an immense amount of spiritual knowledge in mapping the spirtual facets of the Enneagram. She does this with a clarity reminiscent of Almaas himself (the highest compliment!). Her writing is earthy and simple with an underlying humility that I find evocative of the most realized teachers. The presence of True Nature and a deep wisdom accompany her words, which is often missing in spiritual writing; in other words, she KNOWS what she is talking about. If you have ever read Ken Wilber and others and wished they could be a bit more precise, you must read this book. I am so appreciative and grateful that such a book has been written. It will be a cherished resource in my life far into the future.