Lisa notes

We don’t see the world the same. You see differently than I do. We can’t change that.

But what we can change is what we do with that awareness.

We See Differently

“Most of us have no idea that others don’t see as we see, nor do they process their experiences in the same way we do.

A  person whose go-to stance in life relies on feeling and another whose orientation is toward thinking or acting will respond completely different to everything from a simple request in an email to a life crisis.

Understanding the motivations and dynamics of these different personality types can be the key that unlocks sometimes mystifying behavior in others, and in ourselves.”
– Suzanne Stabile

While we can’t change how we’re wired to see the world, we can become better aware of it. And then understand that others see differently than we do. We all come from a different perspective.

Understanding our differences doesn’t have to alienate us from each other. Rather, awareness of our differences can help us give each other more grace.

God made us each unique. The sooner we accept it as a beautiful thing, not a hindrance, the more love we can show each other.

This quote from Suzanne Stabile is one of my favorites. It’s from her excellent Enneagram book on relationships,  The Path Between Us.

“You can’t change how you see—you can only change what you do with how you see.”

Are you partnered in life with someone who has a different Enneagram number than you? What benefits does it provide? Please share in the comments.

See the whole Enneagram series here

Previous: On Your Mind Before Bed and Week in Summary {Series #15}

Next: Are You a Thinker, Feeler, or Doer? Enneagram Triads & 3 Practices {Series #17} 

What do you think about at the end of a day?

See if these thoughts from Enneagramandcoffee on Instagram get you right.

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Summary of the Week

Below is a short recap of the Enneagram articles from this week.

If you want to learn more about the Enneagram, see these five articles from week 2 in our series, “The Enneagram for Spiritual Growth: 20 Ways to Practice the Enneagram.”

#10 What Are Enneagram Wings? Your Invitation to Abundance

Spiritual Practice #6—Accept the invitation to be present with God for each type.

Knowing your main Enneagram number is good. But don’t stop there. Learn your Enneagram wing. It explains a lot. See your invitations to abundance.

#11 What Is My Enneagram Wing? Extra Names for Subtypes

Spiritual Practice #7—Develop healthy practices by type.

Identifying your Enneagram wing number is as important as discovering your core number. See subtype names. Practice growth mindsets.

#12 Be a Healthy Number – Lines, Arrows, and Letting Go on the Enneagram

Spiritual Practice #8—Let go of this and affirm that, by type.

Don’t sit idle at your core number on the Enneagram. Move around the circle to become a healthy number, using lines and arrows on the symbol.

#13 Favorite Books on the Enneagram

Spiritual Practice #9—Discern what you read.

Here are six of my favorite books on the Enneagram. Although the Enneagram began as an oral tradition, you can now find lots of written material about it.

#14 Podcasts, Music, and Other Resources on the Enneagram

Spiritual Practice #10—Use one of these six tools for transformation for all types.

If you want to learn more about the Enneagram in places other than books, you have a multitude of resources available to you. Here are my favorite podcasts, Instagrammers, music, etc., about the Enneagram.

Have you determined your wing? Do lines and arrows on the symbol help you or confuse you? Please share in the comments.

See the whole Enneagram series here

Subscribe to the blog here

Previous: Podcasts, Music, and Other Resources on the Enneagram {Series #14}

Next: You See Differently {Series #16} 

If you want to learn more about the Enneagram in places other than books, you’re in luck.

You have a multitude of resources available to you, some funny, some serious, some helpful (and some not).

Here are my personal favorite non-book resources. (My favorite 6 books on the Enneagram are here.) Please add your own favorites in the comments.

Podcasts on the Enneagram

There are a LOT of podcasts out there on the Enneagram. These are my two favorites that I listen to on a regular basis.

• Typology Podcast with Ian Morgan Cron (co-author of The Road Back to You and a type 4)
• The Enneagram Journey with Suzanne Stabile (the other co-author of The Road Back to You and a type 2)

The Enneagram on Instagram

Again, there are many, many Instagrammers who focus on the Enneagram. Some overload me so I have to unfollow. These are my two favorites who make me think and sometimes make me laugh.

• Sarajane Case at @enneagramandcoffee
• Ashton Whitmoyer-Ober @enneagramashton

Find more on Instagram at this list compiled by Waters Edge Counselling: The Best New Enneagram Accounts on Instagram.

Enneagram Websites

The internet is very full of Enneagram information, some good and some not so good. Here are two websites that I can recommend.

• The Enneagram Institute – Tons of information about the Enneagram, including a very short daily email catered to your number (sign up here)
• Beth McCord at Your Enneagram Coach – Beth also offers lots of freebies with a Christian perspective if you subscribe to her newsletter

Miscellaneous

• Mary Geisen is currently hosting an Enneagram series, EnneaWhat? on her blog, sharing one post per week by writers of all 9 numbers (I’ll be sharing in March about 5s)
• 9 songs for the 9 Enneagram types by Sleeping At Last

Spiritual Practice #10—Six Tools for Transformation

“You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
– Jesus (John 8:32)

To make progress in our spiritual growth, God provides us with a variety of tools to use as we work with his Spirit to become more like Jesus.

Here are six tools for transformation that I’ve revised from The Wisdom of the Enneagram. They are useful for all 9 types. See if there are one or two tools that you can put into practice this week.

1. Seeking Truth
   Be curious about what is going on inside you and around you. We often can’t handle all the truth at once. Ask for God to reveal more truth to you as you are ready.
2. “Not Doing”
   Sometimes letting go is more important than pushing through. Stay aware of your tendency to force things to happen, and allow a spirit of peace to rest on your soul.
3. Willing to Be Open
   “Life is a tremendous gift, but most of us are missing it because we are watching a mental movie of our lives instead.”
4. Getting Proper Support
   Gather a community of support along your journey. Surround yourself with people who are also seeking healthier relationships with Jesus and others.
5. Learning from Everything
   Don’t try to escape the hard stuff. Stay present with God as you deal with the circumstances you are currently in, both good and bad.
6.  Having a Practice
   Develop a spiritual practice that can broaden your awareness of how God is at work in your life. Prayer and meditation are common spiritual disciplines that are helpful. If you’re looking for something different, here is a list of 12 spiritual disciplines that are out of the ordinary.

Do you have a favorite podcast or other resource on the Enneagram? Please share in the comments.

See the whole Enneagram series here

Previous: My Favorite 6 Books on the Enneagram {Series #13}

Next: On Your Mind Before Bed and Week in Summary {Enneagram Series #15} 

Below are six of my favorite books on the Enneagram. Although the Enneagram began as an oral tradition (see more about the history of the Enneagram here), you can find lots of written material about it now.

Favorite Books on the Enneagram

1. The Road Back to You
An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery
by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile

This is a great introductory book to the Enneagram.

Cron and Stabile are informative (even if you do already know about the Enneagram) and entertaining with personal stories. They walk you through identifying your type and how this knowledge can help you. I went to their seminar a few years ago and it was invaluable.

2. The Sacred Enneagram
Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth
by Christopher L. Heuertz

This book is especially focused on the spiritual aspect of the Enneagram.

Heuertz’s goal is to help us “find our way back home, back to our essential nature, our True Self, and back to God.” He writes about specific spiritual disciplines for each type and how we can find grace for the journey.

3. The Wisdom of the Enneagram
The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types
by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson

This is a thorough book on the Enneagram, and maybe more than you want to know if you’re new to it.

When I first read this book I was overwhelmed by the content. But the more you learn, the more you’ll grow. So I’ve returned to it to pick up more nuances about each type’s basic fear, basic desire, distortions, spiritual jump starts, red flags, etc.

4. The Path Between Us
An Enneagram Journey to Healthy Relationships
by Suzanne Stabile

This is a great book to help you understand how different numbers interact with each other. And more importantly, how to improve those interactions.

Stabile is an expert in the Enneagram yet very relatable in her explanations. She also has a podcast (more on that in Series #14). At her workshop she helped me decide I wasn’t a 1 after all, but was instead a 5. 

5. The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation
How Knowing Ourselves Can Make Us More Like Jesus
by AJ Sherrill

Sherrill’s small book is one of my favorites for its denseness. Without using many words, Sherrill provides clear summaries with specific Christian perspectives on each type. 

6. The Enneagram
A Christian Perspective
by Father Richard Rohr and Andrea Ebert

Richard Rohr initially learned about the Enneagram from other Jesuit priests. He used it for years in counseling others in his practice as a priest. He and Ebert share specific references to Christianity and spiritual growth around the Enneagram.

Spiritual Practice #9—Discern What You Read

As you read different authors’ perspective on the Enneagram, pray for discernment.

Truth can be found in many places, but not everything we read is full of truth. Allow God to guide you to the truth he wants to reveal to you about yourself and how you relate to him and others. 

For more books on the Enneagram, here is a list from Relevant Magazine on the best books for your spiritual growth based on your Enneagram type. These are not books about the Enneagram itself.

Do you have a favorite book on the Enneagram? Have a book you did NOT like? Please share in the comments.

See the whole Enneagram series here

Subscribe to the blog here

Previous: Be a Healthy Number – Lines, Arrows, and Letting Go on the Enneagram {Series #12}

Next: Podcasts, Music, and Other Resources on the Enneagram {Series #14}