5 Myths & Truths About the Enneagram

There are a lot of reasons of why certain people will not give the Enneagram the time of day because of rumors and myths surrounding the personality typing system.

While some of them are founded in truth, there is much more truth of it to be discovered.

Here are a handful of common myths/ queries that I hear all too often. And some historical and logical truths about the Enneagram.

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Myth # 1

"It was used & created by the Occult to tell the future."

Truth # 1

Yes, an occultist named Oscar Ichazo & an Armenian Philosopher name George Gurdjieff did use the Enneagram in a way that used dance moves (in a trance-like state) to describe each personality type. However, the Enneagram pre-dates Ichazo. The Enneagram was actually used by Sufis (Muslim Mystics), Kabaalists (Esoteric Mystic Jewish Scholars), & the Christian "desert fathers" as well.

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Random & Rare:

Did you know that the Enneagram is in Homer's Odyssey?

[Ask me about it sometime]

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Myth # 2

"The Enneagram is just another typing system that is going to label me and put me in a box."

Truth # 2

The Enneagram is light years different from other typing systems. All the other personality typing systems, like Meyers Briggs, answer the question "What?" "What type am I?" The Enneagram, on the other hand, not only answers "what?" But more importantly, "Why?" "Why am I this way?" The Enneagram is a contextual personality typing system. It doesn't put you in a box. It shows you the box that you've been in and helps you understand how to get out & better yourself through introspection (not astrology).

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Myth # 3

"There is no Christian material on the Enneagram. I'm not gunna to read some new age book."

Truth # 3

There is actually a LOT of material on the Enneagram from an applicable Christian perspective.

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Side note: I've personally read a total of 20 books on the Enneagram, 15 of which were from Christian authors.

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Myth # 4

"I've taken the test, and I know my type. I don't need someone to tell me what I already know."

Truth # 4

The test is a tool to get to a closer understanding. It is a step towards knowing your type, but it is not the answer. The test cannot follow you around and see how you think, respond, react, and internalize what happens to you. A coach can help by asking pointed questions to narrow down what the types could be to eventually help you understand your basic type and your "wing." An Enneagram coach knows of the possible ways that people tend to "mistype" themselves. The coach will help you avoid those common mistakes.

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Myth # 5

"Who cares about my personality. This ennea-thing seems so self-centered."

Truth # 5

The Enneagram is actually an amazing tool to help people communicate better. It encourages you to make room for others' differences. It's about learning to give yourself & others grace through empathy.

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Little Known Facts

- The Enneagram has been used by Christian churches to better understand the qualities & characteristics of people and how they can minister well together.

- The Enneagram has been used as a business coaching tool to help co-workers work well with each other by making the workplace a more cohesive place.

- The Enneagram has been used in Addictions Group Couseling & Individual Counseling to help the client understand the hurt and pain from their past and why they are prone to certain behaviors.

- The Enneagram has been used to help couples communicate more effectively. To help you empathize with your spouse while doing your best to read their signs and see that they may be in a stressed space or a healthy space.

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a. Got Questions about the Enneagram?

b. Want to know more?

c. Don't know your type?

d. Do you want to build communication in your relationship(s), workplace, family?

e. Do you want to know your addiction better?

f. Do you want to see how this tool can greatly impact your life?

If you answered "yes" to any of these, give me a call or email, and let's set up a coaching session to see what your type is!

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and let's connect!