Enneagram II: Advancing Spiritual Discernment

by Richard Rohr

Book by Rohr, Richard

Genres: Spirituality

191 pages, Paperback

First published February 25, 1994

About the author

Fr. Richard Rohr is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition. He is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Fr. Richard's teaching is grounded in the Franciscan alternative orthodoxy—practices of contemplation and expressing itself in radical compassion, particularly for the socially marginalized.

Fr. Richard is author of numerous books, including Everything Belongs, Adam’s Return, The Naked Now, Breathing Under Water, Falling Upward, Immortal Diamond, Eager to Love, and The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation (with Mike Morrell).

Fr. Richard is academic Dean of the Living School for Action and Contemplation. Drawing upon Christianity's place within the Perennial Tradition, the mission of the Living School is to produce compassionate and powerfully learned individuals who will work for positive change in the world based on awareness of our common union with God and all beings. Visit cac.org for more information.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Enneagram is a fascinating tool for personality exploration and spiritual growth. Rather than the more traditional four (or sixteen) types, nine deep-rooted types of person are identified, based partly on defence mechanisms and 'besetting sin'. This book is for those who have explored and understood the basics of the theory, and are looking for a deeper understanding of how they - from the point of view of their Enneagram type - can relate better to God and to other people.

So the book focuses on nine perspectives both for looking at oneself and other people, and how we tend to think of God. It encourages individuals to see that there are many paths along which we can grow and develop, and to avoid judgement or criticism of those whose paths are different. The main part of the book focuses on questions asked to panels of each of the nine types, asking how they deal with stress and betrayal, and then there are a few chapters at the end focusing on how to grow out of our Enneagram 'box' while being true to ourselves, how our innate view of God is inevitably too narrow, and then a very brief summary of how the nine types are identified.

I found it quite heavy going in places and only read a few pages at a time; I would have liked the 'panels' to have been asked a few more questions, but the answers were quite revealing. I found the beginning and end chapters very thought-provoking, and will no doubt read this again in a few years.

Recommended to anyone wanting to know how this personality tool can better be used in the Christian life.

[Roland Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really found this interesting. Based on a weekend workshop, it is less thorough and insightful than Rohr's book on the Christian roots of the enneagram. Indeed, I felt that in some passages Rohr was coked off his tits. It is raw and challenging and full of Rohr's legendary compassion.

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing. Certainly not a good as his other Enneagram books. Didn't really get any new insights.