15th October 2011

The Enneagram

Helen Costigane SHCJ

The Enneagram is a powerful and dynamic personality system that describes nine distinct and fundamentally different patterns of thinking, feeling and acting. The word “ennea” is Greek for nine and “gram” means model or figure. Hence, the Enneagram is a diagram or star with nine points representing the nine personality patterns. Each of these nine patterns is based on an explicit set of perceptual filters that determine our worldview. Underneath each of the nine patterns is a basic proposition or belief about what you need in life for survival and satisfaction. As we discover our personality types, we can begin to understand what motivates us, our coping strategies and the keys to personal development. The workshop will help participants to identify their own patterns of thinking, feeling and acting, and look at the implications this has for growing in self awareness and dealing with other personality types.

This workshop will introduce participants to the Enneagram, enable them to discover their own personality type, and how they relate to other people, and to reflect on ways of exploring this further.

No previous knowledge of the Enneagram is required, the willingness to discuss and share is helpful, but there will be no pressure to do so.

About the Facilitator

Helen Costigane is a member of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, and teaches Pastoral Studies at Heythrop College.