Using the Enneagram in Prayer: A Contemplative Guide

by Suzanne Zuercher

Suzanne Zuercher, an authority on the Enneagram, a system of spiritual psychology based on personality types, explores the best way for people of each Enneagram to pray. Reflecting on a number of different prayer practices from the perspective of each triad, Zuercher explores how the Enneagram can help develop a contemplative attitude toward life. Anyone who has used the Enneagram as a tool for personal growth will find this wise book is a concise source of deeper self-awareness and an invaluable guide on how to use the Enneagram in prayer.

Genres: Spirituality, Prayer, Nonfiction

107 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jerry Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

5/6/7 Enneagram, here, whose boorish zeal bolsters temporary self-confidence to the 8/9/1 enneagram

Where is my useless liberal arts degree? Literature has been my most joyous pursuit of my last year, since leaving the MA in Medical phys program, yet I I have not gained any skill of note besides a critical analysis of self and journey, nor any understanding apart from authors' contemplations on the big questions. (insofaras, "you gain more from finding the big questions in life than the big answers")

While I did enjoy the discussions of faith through:
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1. symbols (why do people use certain metaphors and when do they use the metaphors)
2. emotions in experiences (when overcome with emotions, see yourself as an agent in the circumstance common to life and how a person can cope positively or negatively with the emotion)
3. ascribing meaning to other objects in perceptual gestalt through the models of eastern religion (Jungian - what is the apple's purpose in your dream/how is does it feel about the knife interacting with it; groundedness by living out your dreams; buddhist - aligning scripture with yoga postures; zen showing that you are no individual but a part of the scene you are sitting in)
4.common prayers (fidelity or duty driving dialogue)
5.other self-reflections,
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Suzanne Zuercher did not "go deep" in her thoughts, each idea was a page or two.

^Aforementioned reasoning^ for not appreciating this writing.

[Douglas · Rating 1 out of 5]

This books isn't what I expected. My anticipation was a brief introduction of the Enneagram followed by an exploration of the nine types. Each type would be paired with spiritual disciplines a person of that type would gravitate toward.

It explores general themes such a nature, journaling, dreams, etc. as they relate to three triads (2/3/4, 5/6/7 and 8/9/1. The way Zuercher describes each triad differs somewhat from my understanding of these triads. Therefore a more extensive introduction would have been helpful. The e-book version also has many typos.

[Bec · Rating 2 out of 5]

some of this book was great, but the rest of it was a bit naff...
(helpful review hey?!)

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had some nuggets I'll be coming back to. I think it's potentially a helpful tool for spiritual directors who want to incorporate the Enneagram and their spiritual Direction ministry. I found a couple things I'd like to do with some of my directees in here.

[Melissa Krylowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an easy read. I got some good insights on my discovery of myself. Knowledge of enneagram is a must for this read.

[Rachel | All the RAD Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is awesome — a short bt mighty dive into how to use the enneagram in prayer— and I highly recommend it to anyone who already loves this tool and wants to take it further in their faith life. It’s not a good one to grab if you’re new to the enneagram, but it’s great if you already have a basic understanding and want to look at things from a new angle. I underlined SO MUCH. Even though it goes through the triads instead if individual types, it was SO spot on for me (type 1 through and through!) and was really eye opening. Loved this one.

[Sean Post · Rating 1 out of 5]

So theologically insubstantial that it is of no use. Of course, I wouldn't critique this if it wasn't supposed to be a distinctively Christian work. A real disappointment.