Enneagram and God

The Enneagram is an ancient diagram with nine points now widely used as a tool for growth and spiritual direction.  Its lack of scientific basis make some suspect it, but I have found it a useful tool that can be adapted in a variety of ways.  In particular it explains why people seem to want such incompatible things from worship, God, and life in general, enabling us to give space on the map, so to speak, to people whose ideals and motives are utterly at variance with our own.

The basic notion is that we are all motivated by one of nine compulsions.  This compulsion drives us along the arrow in the diagram to a point that is destructive for us.  If we move against the compulsion (in the direction of the incoming arrow) we move to a point where we can flourish, and our basic compulsion is transformed into a redeeming ideal.  Once we understand what drives us we are no longer determined by it but can use it as an energy for good.

This is a very simplified account but gives an idea of how the Enneagram can work as a subtle, multi-dimensional tool for growth, provided we do not use it slavishly or put ourselves in boxes!

Here I have adapted the Enneagram to show the different things people seek in God.  The red script shows the spiritual needs of those at different 'points', while the blue type shows the quality in God that both challenges the compulsion and meets the true need.  By clicking on the buttons you can find a Bible text that relates to each point, and also an image of Jesus that I think embodies that point's ideal.  (Sources are acknowledged here.)

All this could be used as the basis of a simple meditation, or expanded to form the basis of a workshop, retreat, or labyrinth.