How does one use knowledge of the Enneagram and ones particular type to grow psychologically and spiritually?
A. At first one learns about the system as a whole and then discovers ones place on the diagram. But that is just the beginning. In the early 1900s Gurdieff used to talk about the need for self-study, self-observation and self-work and we find that this is still the case in the 21st century. First we learn about the phenomenology, psychodynamics and spiritual gifts of our own type structure. Then we engage in Attention Training Practices (ATP), otherwise known as cultivating the art of self-observation. The goal being to observe moment by moment our habits of mind, heart and behavior, and then to be able to drop non-useful habits and behaviors on the spot. That way we reduce our own reactivity and can respond more appropriately to internal and external situations, rather than simply going on automatic one more time. Self-observation can be later supplemented with conscious work on self by having a teacher or group suggest type-related exercises custom tailored to the needs of the stude
