Letting Go, Finding You: Uncover Your Truest Self through the Enneagram and Contemplation

by Hunter Mobley

Rethink everything you believe about yourself because of your Enneagram number, and embrace the virtues of your type.

Hunter Mobley has been an Enneagram teacher for years, working with people who have read all the books and completed all the programs, only to find they are still getting caught in the same patterns of behavior. Too many of us are stuck on the treadmill of consumer spirituality, clinging to the illusion that we are in charge of our own spiritual growth and development. But the path of true transformation, according to Mobley, isn't in doing more, but in doing less--in letting go of control and adopting a contemplative posture that will naturally lead us to our true self.

The key to unlocking this contemplative path is in understanding a fundamental but often-missed aspect of Enneagram teaching: the Enneagram virtues. Most of us focus our Enneagram work on trying to overcome the passion of our Enneagram number. Sometimes referred to as the "sin," this is the expression of our personality that habitually gets us into trouble and blocks us from growth. The lesser-known virtues, on the other hand, describe the God-image in us and are the best articulations of our true selves. The Enneagram mystery--hiding in plain sight--is that how we have come to know ourselves (reflected by our passion) is the opposite of who we truly are (which is reflected by our virtue). We don't have to struggle against our passion; we can simply let go and embrace the virtue that has always been at our center.

Letting Go, Finding You will show how a contemplative spiritual path, informed by the Enneagram, will allow you to finally stop striving after false promises and start surrendering to the truest version of yourself.

209 pages, Paperback

Published May 13, 2025

Reviews

[Lisa Penninga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the last five chapters that really dove into enneagram passions and virtues and how they can align with our journey of faith. The message of contemplation and soul growth is really inspiring and thought-provoking. I also love that he acknowledges we cannot grow out of our “box” without contemplation, peace, faith, and acknowledging the parts of us that need to change. The idea of simplifying and silencing the world we surround ourselves with is so inspiring and such a good reminder. The first few chapters build his credibility and reasoning for his writing, but they felt a bit long. Overall, the concept of really letting go, and realizing God’s leading the way, is such a powerful reminder to embrace the journey.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Hunter’s personal story and voice, as much as I loved his unusual (for his young age) wisdom and experience around the enneagram and the life of contemplation, and the soul-enriching combination of the two.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wise, warm invitation to notice and experience how the Enneagram and contemplation can help us return to our true selves. In 2019, I had the pleasure of learning from Hunter through a contemplative Enneagram cohort and have appreciated his clear, accessible teaching. He is gifted in breaking down complex information into insightful, simple (but not easy) wisdom that can be applied to everyday life.

Hunter makes a strong case for “what we miss when we focus only on the passions” and grounds this teaching in our original blessing: the virtues linked to our true selves. This is followed by an explanation of how our passions developed to protect our virtues. Many of us who grew up immersed in (and now recognize the harm done by) an overemphasis on original sin will find this framing to be a gentle correction that allows us to wade deeper into self-compassion and compassion for others, which makes way for healing and transformation.

I’ve read quite a few books on contemplative spirituality and found Hunter’s explanation of what it means to be a contemplative to be among the simplest, clearest, and most resonant that I’ve read. If you are new to the contemplative journey or just curious about it, this is an excellent on-ramp that positions contemplative life as attainable for anyone, right where you are, amidst your present daily life.

I highly recommend this book to folks who are interested in contemplative life and/or taking the next step on practical application of Enneagram wisdom for the sake of spiritual growth. Hunter is a knowledgeable teacher and a trustworthy, gentle guide for the journey.

Thank you to Broadleaf Books for my advance copy of this lovely book!

[Amy1N · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful resource if you're really tired of the memeification of the Enneagram. Mobley takes us back to the spiritual aspects of the Enneagram, which I greatly appreciated. If you want a book of to-do lists to grow, this book isn't that. It's about subtracting to become your true self instead of adding more to your list of things to do. It's so very freeing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Broadleaf books for the advance reader copy.