Using the Enneagram in Spiritual Direction:
An In-Depth Guide for Seekers

The Enneagram is a powerful tool for self-discovery and spiritual growth. It offers insights into our personality traits, motivations, and tendencies that can help us understand ourselves and others better. As a result, many spiritual directors have started incorporating the Enneagram into their work, helping seekers navigate their spiritual journeys with greater understanding and awareness. In this article, we’ll explore these questions in depth and provide guidance for seekers who are looking for a spiritual director who understands the Enneagram.

Why Use the Enneagram in Spiritual Direction?

In spiritual direction, the Enneagram can be an incredibly powerful tool for helping seekers understand themselves and their spiritual journeys. It can provide insights into our personality traits and tendencies, and help us recognize the underlying motivations and fears that drive our behavior.

For example, some individuals may be motivated by a deep desire for security and stability, while others may be driven by a need for recognition and success. Understanding these core motivations can help us identify areas of our lives where we may need to focus our attention and efforts in order to achieve our spiritual goals.

What Does A Spiritual Director Who Understands The Enneagram Offer?

Personalized guidance: A spiritual director who understands the Enneagram can offer guidance that is tailored to an individual's unique personality type and spiritual needs, leading to more effective spiritual direction and growth.
Greater self-awareness: The Enneagram provides individuals with insight into their underlying motivations, fears, and desires, which can lead to greater self-awareness and spiritual growth. A spiritual director who understands the Enneagram can facilitate this process by helping individuals apply this knowledge to their spiritual lives.
Improved communication: Knowing one's Enneagram type can improve communication between an individual and their spiritual director, as they can better understand each other's perspectives and needs.
More meaningful connections: The Enneagram can facilitate more meaningful connections between individuals and their spiritual director, as well as with a higher power. This is because it provides a deeper understanding of one's personality and behavior.
Enhanced faith formation: The Enneagram can also be a valuable tool for faith formation, as it provides individuals with a deeper understanding of their spiritual gifts and limitations, and can offer guidance on how to incorporate their faith into their daily lives. A spiritual director who understands the Enneagram can provide personalized guidance in this area.

Does The Enneagram Help With Faith Formation?

The Enneagram can be a valuable tool for faith formation, as it can provide individuals with a deeper understanding of their spiritual gifts and limitations, as well as offer guidance on how to incorporate their faith into their daily lives. For example, a person who recognizes they are a "Peacemaker" (type 9) on the Enneagram may gain insight into how their desire for harmony can positively influence their relationships with others, while also learning how to balance this with assertiveness and decisiveness.

A spiritual director who understands the Enneagram can provide tailored guidance that is specific to an individual's personality type, helping them to achieve their spiritual goals and grow in their faith. This type of direction can also be more effective than generic advice, as it addresses the unique needs and challenges of each person.