Where did the Enneagram come from?
When I first heard about the Enneagram I was dubious. I thought, “ughhh…. another trendy personality assessment. This too shall pass!” And yet, the people in my circles insisted on talking about “their number.” Did the Enneagram have any validity? Was it based in magical thinking? Why should I buy into this?
As a psychology major, spiritual person and research nerd, I needed evidence. I began by reading everything I could. I was finally convinced the Enneagram was based in wisdom, truth, and psychology, primarily after reading “The Wisdom of the Enneagram” by Don Risso and Russ Hudson. I was also highly influenced by the work of Chris Heuertz in his beautifully written book “The Sacred Enneagram.”
My doubt, and curiousity led to belief. And I experienced the power of the Enneagram in my own life. (More on that in another blog…)
I became formally trained in the Enneagram under Jerry Wagner, clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, supervisor, consultant in private practice, and emeritus faculty member in the Department of Psychology at Loyola University. His dissertation was one of the first written descriptions of the Enneagram and pioneered formal research studies on the Enneagram (Enneagram Spectrum, 2023). Considering the Enneagram was an oral tradition up until my lifetime, it was truly an honor to sit at the feet of his teaching. I received my Enneagram certification from Jerry Wagner in May 2020.
I learned that the Enneagram is a personality system with a complex and diverse history. The roots of the Enneagram can be traced back to ancient civilizations, including elements from various wisdom traditions such as Sufism, Christianity, Kabbalah, and Greek philosophy. Early mystical and spiritual thinkers explored the concept of personality types and inner transformation. While the exact origins are not known, it is said to have originated as far back as 2500 B.C. (Riso & Hudson, 1999).
The modern Enneagram system (as we know it) began to take shape in the early 20th century with influences from spiritual teachers like George Gurdjieff and his student P.D. Ouspensky. Gurdjieff's teachings included a nine-point diagram representing different aspects of human psychology.
In the Mid-20th Century, Oscar Ichazo, a Chilean philosopher and mystic, synthesized various ancient teachings into a psychological model. Ichazo's work laid the foundation for categorizing personality types based on nine core types, each with its own motivations, fears, and desires.
In the 1970s, Ichazo's teachings were popularized and expanded upon by Claudio Naranjo, a psychiatrist, and other early Enneagram enthusiasts. Numerous books, workshops, and training programs emerged, spreading the Enneagram's ideas into various fields, including psychology, spirituality, and self-development.
The Enneagram's history is a tapestry of ancient wisdom traditions. It has evolved from mystical and spiritual origins into a widely used tool for understanding personality and personal growth. The Enneagram is full of possibilities. The Enneagram is not to be reduced into a personality test. It will wake us up to our True Self if we approach it with humility. As for me, it has certainly shown me that I have walked through much of my life asleep to myself. I’m grateful for the blueprint it has provided me as I navigate my relationship with God, self and others.
References
Enneagram Spectrum. (2023, July 25). What is the Enneagram? - The Enneagram Spectrum of Personality Styles. The Enneagram Spectrum of Personality Styles. https://enneagramspectrum.com
Riso, D. R., & Hudson, R. (1999). The Wisdom of the Enneagram: the complete guide to psychological and spiritual growth for the nine personality types. https://openlibrary.org/books/OL387563M/The_wisdom_of_the_enneagram
