Adele Ahlberg Calhoun

This is a worthy addition for books about the Enneagram. There is a thorough discussion of psychodynamics of each type. Besides the basic discussion of the gut, heart, and the head triads, there is one for the harmony triad. When I first got into the Enneagram maybe 20 years ago, there was very little discussion of the harmony triads. But I am a Five and my wife is a Two, and I wanted to see what kind of dynamic that might entail between us. So finding not in English on the web, I did find a fairly good description in French.
There are also other triadic systems used in Enneagram work. Instinctual subtypes are useful: self-preservation, sexual (syntony or one-on-another), and social explore more of the Jungian oriented psychological universe. So a person may say that I am a Social Five (SOC 5).
The Karen Horney has grouped the nine points into compliant types (1-2-6), aggressive (3-7-8), and withdrawn types (4-5-9).
Also wings are described, which are the types on either side of the the number in question. I might be a 5 wing 4 (5w4).
Tri-Types are described by Katherine Chernick with a Number from each of the gut, heart, and head triad. I might be a 5-3-1.
So, there is a fascinating wideness in the Enneagram world which one can discover.… (mere)

Summary: More than just a discussion of Enneagram numbers, this handbook utilizes "harmony triads" to lead to greater spiritual and relational transformation, and offers recommendations for spiritual practices suitable for each number and triad.

There have been a host of books published in recent years on the Enneagram, including several from this publisher. This may be both the most comprehensive resource out there on the different numbers (the term used for your type), and one that takes a novel approach using what the authors call "harmony triads." Unlike traditional approaches that have arrows to and from a number reflecting where one goes under conditions of integration or disintegration, this approach uses triangles where each number connects to a number three ahead or behind it, allowing access to what are called the Gut, the Heart, and the Head triads. For example, someone who is Enneagram number 2, called Love here (in the Heart Triad), also has access to the Wisdom of a 5 and the Strength of an 8. The writers repeatedly emphasize that we are all more than our number, and that balancing the strengths of head (IQ), heart (EQ), and gut (GQ) helps us move toward greater integration and relational wholeness, and away from the vice of our number.

After providing a brief overview and section on key terms (important to keep a bookmark in for reference), the book devotes a chapter to each number beginning with a description and seven sections:

1. Who am I and who am I not. Offers a list of descriptors and invites us to sit with these and how they resonate.
2. True self and false self. Describes how we act under impulsive and compulsive reactions stemming from our own ego, and how we may act out of love of God, ourselves and others.
3. Harmony. How to integrate Head, Heart, and Gut for our type leading to FLOW (Free, Loving, Open to head, heart, and gut), With God and reality as it is).
4. Healing childhood hurts. Helps each number process where they were dismissed as a child and experience healing.
5. Discernment: desolations and consolations. How to use each of our intelligences to understand how we experience the presence and absence of God.
6. Spiritual rhythms. Practices that address each number.
7. Empathy. This is especially for others close to a person of a particular number, helping in understanding that number with practical pointers for relating to that number.

The last part of the book offers twelve "soul resources." Most offer unique information for each number, for example how each number may STOP (See, Triggers, Open, Presence) in the face of stress. I found the varied responses of different numbers to silence and solitude both amusing, and painfully on the money. There are several for different types of prayer, one for examen, one for practicing the presence of God, one on work styles, a summary chart of the harmony triads, tips for finding one's Enneagram number, and small group discussions for using the empathy section of each chapter.

This is not a book to read straight through. Reading slowly and reflectively through each number helps us exercise better empathy for each number, and can be helpful for the person who does not yet know there own number. Working section by section through one's own number, and the other two numbers in one's "harmony triad" can offer much self-understanding. Woven through the seven sections in each chapter are personal testimonies of people with that number and their transformational journey. Also, each chapter has several scripture readings and prayers woven throughout.

All four of the authors (two couples) are Enneagram instructors and it is evident that this text comes out of countless seminars and personal interactions, and reflects that kind of wisdom. Because this is not an introductory Enneagram book, they only spend a brief time on background of the Enneagram and do not offer a rationale for the use of the Enneagram. I would recommend this for someone who believes the Enneagram to be a useful tool for self-understanding and spiritual growth. For me, the harmony triads, or at least the integration of head, heart, and gut made good sense. I found the adaptation of spiritual practices to each number and the empathy section on relating to each number most helpful. Overall, I think this is one of the best resources that I've seen in print for groups and individuals who want to go deeper with the Enneagram.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.… (mere)

NCLA Review: Life brings invitations, some we desperately want to receive and others that we want to ignore. The invitations we say yes to, and the ones we say no to, determine the terrain of our future. The author refers to the parable that Jesus told in Luke 14:16-23 about the man who invited many guests to his banquet, but they all made excuses. Are we ignoring the invitations that matter most? Do the invitations we accept nurture and grow our body, soul and spirit? God’s invitations are meant to mend, shape, anchor and grow us into the character of Jesus. The author reminds us that we receive invitations from God to rest, to weep, to admit a wrong, to forgive, to wait, to pray, to remember and an invitation to practice the presence of people. Each chapter begins with an overview of the invitation (e.g., to wait) and roadblocks that we might face in accepting the invitation. Invitations change nothing in us unless we say, “Yes. Your will be done on earth and in me.” Rating: 4 —SV… (mere)