Institute for Inner Growth, Enneagram Work

The Enneagram System

| Enneagram Classes | Introduction to the Enneagram System | How to Register |

THE Institute for INNER GROWTH offers ongoing classes to deepen the understanding of type and to begin the process of recovery of essence as follows:

Classes

The Enneagram of Personality is a self-development system that combines ancient teachings and modern psychological methods to promote self-understanding and the understanding of others. Both Kent and Barbara are Enneagram instructors, certified through The Enneagram Narrative Tradition taught by Helen Palmer and David Daniels. While we are presently not scheduling Introductory Enneagram classes, we will offer them to a group of at least 4 people on a specific date. Call 480-991-5645 to arrange.

Coming Events at the Casa

Carole Whittaker will present an *Introduction to the Enneagram* on Sept 29, 2007 from 9-5 at the Casa.

On Oct. 12 and 13, 2007, Gloria Cuevas-Barnett and Barbara Rossman will present Exploring the Enneagram. It will highlight the Body Triad from 7-9pm on Oct. 12, the Heart Triad from 9am-noon on Oct. 13, and the Head Triad from 1-4pm on Oct. 13. This class purpose is to clarify previous Enneagram studies, including the Introductory class.

Helen Palmer will present *Intuition*, a weekend conference on Nov. 3-4, 2007 at the Franciscan Renewal Center.

To register for any of these groups, contact Carole Whittaker at 480-948-7460 for information or online at www.thecasa.org.

We also strongly recommend Gloria Cuevas-Barnett who offers personal one-on-one Enneagram coaching: 602-996-7768.

Typing Interview

We offer a personal interview to focus your attention on identifying your type. By arrangement. 480-991-5645

Introduction to the Enneagram System

The system of personality typing is not stereotyping. When one uses the term "pregnant woman" we recognize that it is not specific to an individual, since there can be many other characteristics to this description, including age and parity. You are encouraged not to use the type number to close off possibilities of knowing someone as they really are. Within every type each individual is unique, although their underlying break from, or loss of, an essential quality is shared. The system is not designed to allow or encourage you to manipulate others with this information. It is not about power over people. It is about understanding other people's world–view; how it might differ from your own and the difficulties that are experienced or avoided because of that view.

It is possible to find characteristics of all the types which fit you. The characteristics of all types are, after all, universal. Even the Seven has a judging,critical self; and the Eight can be sentimental. How do we really know ourselves? First, question whether there are features of your own perceived self-image that others do not agree with. Then begin to examine yourself through the special process of self-observation. We usually find new dimensions in ourselves. Such self-study will often create confusion for us when we compare our ideal or false-self image with the observed "facts". Then consider what happens under stress and the movement or change of characteristics of type and this only creates more confusion initially. Thus the Enneagram system does not necessarily lend itself to easy self-identification. In fact, it is the depth OF EACH INDIVIDUAL and richness of the system that demands that each individual do their own inner work. This is not a system for casual use. In fact if we could easily identify our type there would be little need for such a system.

We study each of the types in in six categories:

action or acting
avoidance
communication
defense
emotions
preoccupations

We then develop descriptors of each of the types which direct ones attention toward how we support our own idealized (false) self-image. The use of these descriptors serve as guides to help develop the Inner Observer. The development of the Inner Observer is much like building a muscle for strength and bulk. It requires repetitive effort against a counter force or weight, which in this case is represented by the inner motivations and attitudes we have and the habitual, unconscious behaviors and reactions that we exhibit daily.

There are many levels of possible development in this work that depend only on a persons willingness to do the work in the setting of a group of like-minded people of many types.

Kent Rossman,M.D. and Barbara Rossman, R.N., B.S.N

Institute for Inner Growth
Kent Rossman & Barbara Rossman
Phone: 480-991-5645
Fax: 480-991-5645
E-Mail: krossman@fastq.com