Ennea Gem shares ~ Great Enneagram Resources, Books

Photo, Susan’s share of suggested Enneagram books. Susan Walters Minker

I have to admit I think I have an addiction to Enneagram books. Just got a new one today. Think it’s part of my strong (not dominant) Enneagram 5 pattern (Quiet Specialist). And I’m double whammied with a strong subtype 5 Social in my mix/trifix. That subtype tends to have learning addictions. Shoe fits me.

BTW… Stay tuned for program share on addictions of the different Enneagram types/subtypes. Fascinating!

Enneagram books are coming out, on many different topics. There’s a continuous exploration of the ancient map, and new findings that merge with current science.

Note that there are different beliefs in the roots and seeds of the Enneagram (sufi, desert fathers, Egypt, christian, buddhism, kabbalah, etc). Different versions, wisdom systems of the Enneagram have been around for thousands of years. These versions were originally taught in ancient wisdom schools, hidden away and passed along orally in mystic traditions.

Most of my favorite Enneagram authors are my teachers as well, key Enneagram thought leaders: Beatrice Chestnut, Uranio Paes, Russ Hudson, A. H.Almaas and Sandra Maitri. Some of their books are noted below, along with some other great Enneagram authors and books.

The new Enneagram book that arrived today (Amazon and UPS are frequent visitors to my house) had a foreword by one of my teachers Dr. Dan Siegel. Dan’s a well-known psychologist, neuroscientist and founder of Mindsight Institute. He’s a leading edge scientist and a long time Enneagram explorer. The book is The Enneagram, Relationships and Intimacy, authored by Ennea thought leaders Dr. David Daniels (passed in 2017) and Suzanne Dion.

Below are some suggested Enneagram resource books to explore, whether new or an explorer:

  • The Wisdom of the Enneagram: By Don Riso and Russ Hudson

  • The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge: By Beatrice Chestnut

  • The Enneagram Guide to Waking Up: By Beatrice Chestnut, Uranio Paes

  • The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram~ Nine Faces of the Soul: By Sandra Maitri

  • Keys to the Enneagram: By A. H Almaas

  • The Instinctual Drives and the Enneagram: By John Luckovitch

  • The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective: By Father Richard Rohr and Andreas Ebert

  • The Enneagram, Relationships and Intimacy: By Dr. David Daniels, Suzanne Dion

More Enneagram resources, shares coming. And, I may share them here, or other spaces.

Want to get my occasional shares on Enneagram resources, info, events and trainings? Connect here! More virtual and in-person programs at Bend of Ivy Lodge happening in 2023

Your Instincts ~> Impact your Life, Zest, Growth, Transformation & Stuckness.

I had an ah ha today during a group program. The discussion topic was about ‘Zest for Life’. My ah ha insight was not new. Just brighter with more clarity.

My ah ha in exploring this topic is that my biggest obstacle is most often my self. No surprise there. My awareness just went into a deeper level, when asked…“What gives you joy… a zest for life? A joy zing? And, what gets in your way?”

That took me to a deeper insight of me and the impact of my key instinctual driver, my Social instinct. I’ve become much more aware of my instinctual tendencies over the last couple years with Inner Work exploration and studies. And, instincts often operate unconsciously. Both our dominant and repressed instincts.

So, an insight suggestion …. ask your self…

What gets in your way for a zest for life? And, how do you experience zest for life?

As you pause and notice, you may start to notice patterns with your reactions, responses. What shows up and how. These may be connected to your key instinctual driver.

Noticing that is a start to becoming better, healthier. Finding your instinctual patterns gives you clues, or red flags, on how you operate, behave, think and/ or act. Or how you don’t act, think or operate. Some people freeze, go to a freeze response when dealing with stress. Others respond with fight, flight or fold.

Regarding instincts, in Enneagram systems it’s believed we have 3 instincts that operate in humans: the social, self-preservation and one-to-one/ sexual instinct. It’s commonly believed that instincts are wired in us when we’re born and can be influenced by in utero and in early childhood experiences and trauma. You have a dominant instinct and a repressed one. And the instinct in the middle is the most normal, balanced one.

Magic keys show up with discovering your dominant instinctual key driver. And in discovering what’s your instinctual sequence… what’s your dominant and what’s repressed.

These instincts are powerful, and get layered into each Enneagram energy point or type (ie types 1-9) and create what’s called subtypes… ie, the Social 9, Self-Preservation 9, and the Sexual 9.

I often get in my own way and my dominant social instinct plays a big role with that. When my social instinct is in overuse, or not working well, it doesn’t serve me. When my social instinct is more balanced, healthier, then my social instinct is a gift.

By noticing when my Social or Navigating dominant instinct gets in my way (and it does consistently!) then I am able to adjust, realign to make better choices, life shifts and changes. The Social instinct is about belonging. It can over operate or under operate (be repressed).

What gets in your way of enjoying life? What gives you the zest for life?

I understand that life difficulties, health, loss, grieving, stressors and care giving burdens have an impact.

And, how do you/ we/ I live life better?

I’ve found, as have so many, that your instinctual drivers hold some well-being and growth insight keys.


Want to stay connected? On topics to help you live, lead and create better…such as well-being, resets, enneagram and inner growth? Connect here and get an Enneagram Foundations video.

Want a long weekend experiencing well-being and inner growth? Come, join us. A few spots open for a transformational Enneagram & Qigong Well-being retreat experience. September 15-18: Immersive Well-Being Retreat: The Enneagram Wayfinder, Nature & Qigong