Author of How to Use the Enneagram-Story Connection to Become a Master Storyteller, Jeff Lyons, wrote that “the Enneagram was not invented by anyone; it exists because we exist, because we live, breathe, and have social relations.” This is my current favourite way to conceive of the Enneagram – even if does seem a little derogatory towards the original developers of the system.

The Enneagram’s spiritual origins

The Enneagram of human types was the brainchild of Bolivian philosopher Oscar Ichazo. He developed the system independently of the brilliant and rather naughty mystic and originator of the Enneagram symbol, George Gurdjieff. Chilean psychiatrist Claudio Naranjo, who was Ichazo’s student for a brief period, expanded on Ichazo’s work and popularised the Enneagram. This happened in the 1970s. Ichazo and Naranjo taught the Enneagram within the context of spiritual transformation paths at their schools, the Arica School and Seekers After Truth. Gurdjieff pioneered his own self-development system, known as the Fourth Way or the Work.

Taken out of context

The Enneagram “went mainstream” around the 1990s and early 2000s. Initially, the Enneagram’s roots in inner transformation were preserved. The two main schools in the early days – the Enneagram Institute founded in 1997 and the Narrative Enneagram founded in 1988 – were ‘inner work’ schools. Many powerful guides to the Enneagram were written and the books must have activated a search in thousands of minds and hearts.

These days it is fair to say that we have lobotomized the Enneagram from its original context. The Enneagram is used in all kinds of interesting ways (and some of them are valuable).

Nonetheless, it remains true that the Enneagram came together as a way to support people in inner transformation. Inner transformation, its own science, goes beyond the development of self-awareness. Cogitating about the Enneagram as we explore the inner self isn’t totally useless. However, one does eventually hit a plateau with it. We probably all know people who have generated a lot of self-awareness through studying the Enneagram, but the development ends there. If not, allow me to introduce myself.

Evolutions to Enneagram theory

In recent years, there is a heightened interest in the instinctual drives and the Enneagram. Gurdjieff, Ichazo and Naranjo each taught the instincts within their systems (Gurdjieff and Ichazo referred to them as ‘centers’). However, instincts are being emphasised a lot more. Also, a chasm has also opened up in terms of how instincts are best taught to students.

A divide

In summary according to Camp 1, which includes leading developer of the Enneagram Russ Hudson, the instinctual drives need to be studied independently of the types. To put it another way, instincts are significant beyond the light they shed on how our core type manifests.

Camp 2, which includes seminal author and Enneagram teacher Beatrice Chestnut, believes that the Enneagram’s developmental potential rests on the individual’s recognition of their ‘subtype’. Chestnut teaches 27 rather than 9 types, driving home that understanding the specific ‘focus of attention’ of the subtype is key, developmentally speaking.

Arguably, each approach offers something of value. Hudson’s way of teaching the instinctual drives may resonate more with the student on a spiritual path, already deeply engaged in the work of self-observation. Chestnut’s way may be better for the early student to inner work. As long as that student does not become enmeshed in an identity – always a risk, and not one created by Chestnut’s approach nor addressed by Hudson’s – they can find it valuable.

This evolution to Enneagram theory may have improved the ability of coaches and other helpers to support their helpees. I think that this aspect of the Enneagram is the only one that we should be using as coaches when it comes to those with no interest in studying the system. Instincts are often more instrumental than our types when it comes to troubleshooting behavioural challenges in our lives. See the instincts page for more information.