Optimized Results: consulting coaching communication relationship teambuilding thru the Enneagram

The Enneagram

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Although its earliest origins are not completely clear, the symbol may have originated in ancient Sufi traditions, and was studied extensively by the esoteric Armenian teacher and philosopher George Gurdjieff (1866-1949). Gurdjieff is commonly credited with being the first to convert the Oral Tradition to a Written Tradition, inviting the rest of the world to become familiarized. However, neither the Sufis nor Gurdjieff, as far as documentation goes, taught a system of “personality types.” Gurdjieff saw the Enneagram as being far more universally applicable. He felt that the Enneagram was a universal symbol containing all knowledge, if one was able to properly interpret.

The modern version of the Enneagram of Personalities (also known as Ego-Structure) emerged in the 20th century, from the Bolivian mystic Oscar Ichazo who was a student of Gurdjieff, but whose personality system stands apart from Gurdjieff's teachings. Ichazo taught his system to a group of followers in Arica, Chile, where one of his pupils, the Chilean psychiatrist Claudio Naranjo, became a prominent Enneagram writer and teacher.

Naranjo felt strongly about the intersection of psychology and spirituality, and this was the basis of his teachings, which he brought to the United States around 1970. The Gestalt therapy of Fritz Perl and Karen Horney’s self-psychology were also strong influences in Naranjo’s teachings. A small group of students living in Berkeley with Naranjo were responsible for the further changes to the Enneagram’s presentation over the last few decades. Some of these students are now the most famous names in the study of the Enneagram, from Helen Palmer, to A. H. Almaas, to Sandra Maitri.

Ian Blei has taken this to yet another level by introducing aspects of Transpersonal Psychology, Integral Spirituality, Cognitive Linguistics, and various models of ascending consciousness development to the Enneagram. This has created a 3-Dimensional model of the Enneagram that is incredibly accurate in its ability to illustrate the nuances of an individual's personality, ego-structure, and perhaps most importantly to create a tangible path toward balance and harmony of your internal components, and the development of your consciousness. This model eschews behavioral observations for engagement and involvement, to center on motivation and fixation.

Each of the Enneagram types has the unique gifts of the five types that comprise their "constellation" of perspectives. These gifts are what they contribute to the full spectrum of human potential. However, each gift has a dark side. Much like the yin-yang symbol, there is a little shadow in each gift and a little gift in each shadow.

Gifts and traits are certainly illuminated by the Enneagram, but that is by no means the limit of its capabilities. We cannot understand ourselves or others by a simple enumeration of observable traits, but must enter the prevailing worldview and the beliefs that flower from its seed. The internal terrain and dialogue give us the real power of the Enneagram - to see the world through new eyes. The Enneagram shows us a model of Nine co-existing "truths." One does not have to be wrong for another to be right, and this is the beginning of all conflict resolution, and all compassion in the world.

Optimized Results uses this philosophy and approach to improve the effectiveness of communication, and the quality of relationships. When we can truly see how each of us views the world, and how that impacts our communication, we can begin communicating with one another, rather than speaking at one another.

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"...The Optimized Results logo came to me while meditating, around 1974, long before I learned of the Enneagram. I was thinking about the three cores of our being, (feeling, thinking, and sensory knowing) and how the balance would create some form of perfection. If each had a dominant and two recessives (my Dad is a biochemist) there would be three aspects of the three cores of being. I painted my vision (my Mom is an artist) in the three primary colors, each interlocking piece identical and even, so that they would represent the total palette. One day while studying the Enneagram I looked up at the painting on my wall, and saw how it would fit, inscribed perfectly with each point of each triad lining up within the shapes I had dreamed up so long ago. I had never felt so in line with my destiny and my soul's work..."

-Ian Blei

"…Very, very empowering!"
---A.M. - Realtor - San Jose, CA

"...You offered the material in a way that makes it immediately accessible and very valuable as a tool...an elegant and eloquent job of communicating the peacemaking possibilities of the Enneagram to the group!"
- - -Barbara Wieland-Mark, PhD., Founder of Full Circle Institute and President of the International Association of Coaches

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