Using Resources to Expand Knowledge at the Right Time
A couple of years ago, I bought two Enneagram books when the subject piqued my interest. My thought was I’d read through them from cover to cover, and absorb what I could from the perspective of two different authors.
Like the “Liver Rescue” book, I soon found the method wasn’t going to work. It was pure drudgery to try to slog through the explanations and terminology, so it wasn’t long before they ended up back on the shelf I designated for self-help and mysticism, in hopes I’d some day feel inspired to take it up once again.
As if the Universe heard my half-assed promise, it recently offered me a short cut when one of my Facebook contacts posted a link to a test he’d taken. I took the short, free version which yielded results interesting enough to invest the $12 in the longer, more detailed test. Figuring the best approach was to go through the questions, giving myself as little time to analyze them as possible, I finished in much less than the 40 minute estimate.
Following the Bread Crumbs
Thinking “what have I got to lose?” I went on to the results which, in and of themselves, didn’t 
mean much, but would give me a place to start in the books. Numerically, though I had 4 categories where the results were higher, I didn’t see anything which led me to believe I leaned strongly in any direction. Reading the explanations for the top 3 told an entirely different story.
Because I didn’t score significantly higher in any one type than the others, it made me wonder whether the numerical values, other than telling me where I scored highest, are of any great significance. However, when I started reading about the type I scored highest in (by a mere 3 points over the one in second place), I was flabbergasted by the results.
In the first place, the instructions were to answer based on the majority of my life as opposed to the present moment. Yet in reading the various levels under my primary type, I could see how I was led to this moment in time. I could see how the types allow for personal evolution over a lifetime, and how I had, indeed progressed past most of the levels, yet have remained remarkably true to the Type.
Remarkably Similar Paths
I also learned I am in good company, with many visionaries and creatives sharing my type. But I also saw examples of some who failed to evolve, and who met a tragic end without fully realizing the incredible potential they carried. And I saw where I could easily have gone had I not found it within me to make some pretty massive changes over the last 20 years.
I truly expected to find the type they assigned me based on my answers was way out in left field since I’ve made so many changes, and most of all, become a lot more social and open than I was for most of my life. Instead, I learned despite the changes, I am still true to the type, but have leveled up rather than becoming something different. In short, I exercised the options available to the Type to up-level my development.
In reading the explanations about the developmental levels, I can pinpoint times in my life when I was at all but the worst of the unhealthy levels, and know there were times I dangled precariously over the edge of the lowest level, 9, where Kurt Cobain must have been shortly before he died.
Multiple Paths, Multiple Opportunities for Growth
At the moment, I feel I am wandering between levels 2, 3, and 4, but can ultimately see myself reaching level 1. At this point, it’s a matter of time, patience, self-education, and increased confidence. None of which seems that far-fetched from where I stand right now. In fact, my only question is:
Why in the hell can’t I be a visionary if I want to be?
As amazed as I am at the accuracy of the analysis from a mere 144 either/or questions, I’m looking forward to digging into my two secondary types to see how much more insight I can gain. I suspect the overall report will give me the clarity and guidance I need to finally dig into the two books I left moldering on the shelf.
As with books like “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle, and “When the Heart Waits” by Sue Monk Kidd, I had to wait until the time was right to delve into the Enneagram books. My mind wasn’t ready to absorb the concepts, or even open enough to allow them space to drop breadcrumbs for me to follow. When the Universe deemed me ready, it gave me a path to follow; a key, as it were to help me unlock the door, and to help me make sense of what, up to now has been a totally foreign concept.
Growing Into Each New Phase
I love learning new things, and always have, but when it doesn’t come easily, I’ve learned to take 
a step back and wait. Eventually, I’ll have acquired bits of information or knowledge that will make the next step easier. Like climbing a staircase, it’s more difficult when you’re a child and your legs are shorter. The same stairway becomes easier as you grow and your legs don’t have to reach quite so far for the next step.
I’m ready to take the next step in learning about Enneagrams and how they not only define patterns in every human being, but offer opportunities to grow and expand without limitations. Like all personality theories, it’s about discovering your potential, and climbing the ladder as knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and perspective change.
One thing I’m learning is the time I spent being a recluse and a hermit; detaching from society and forming no close bonds was part of my personal evolution, and not a place I was meant to live forever. Although I ultimately discovered it on my own, it’s interesting to see how my Enneagram types fully support my personal evolution to this point, as well as pointing out the potential to go even farther, and to ultimately realize my dreams.
About the Author
Sheri Conaway is a Holistic Ghostwriter, and an advocate for cats and mental health. Sheri 
believes in the Laws of Attraction, but only if you are a participant rather than just an observer. Her mission is to Make Vulnerable Beautiful and help entrepreneurs touch the souls of their readers and clients so they can increase their impact and their income. If you’d like to have her write for you, please visit her Hire Me page for more information. You can also find her on Facebook Sheri Levenstein-Conaway Author. And check out her new group, Putting Your Whole Heart Forward.
Be sure to watch this space for news of the upcoming releases of ” Rebuilding After Suicide” and “Sasha’s Journey”.
