The Enneagram of Discernment: The Way of Vocation, Wisdom, and Practice

by Drew Moser

How does your personality type help and hinder your ability to make wise decisions?

We are too often rich in information and poor in wisdom. And when we encounter life’s decisions, big and small, we engage the information available through the lens of our personality.

The Enneagram of Discernment: The Way of Vocation, Wisdom, and Practice breaks new ground in the enneagram field, introducing Dr. Drew Moser’s innovative approach to exploring the enneagram to discover calling, cultivate wisdom, and develop habits that help you make wise decisions, whether they be important or mundane. This is not your ordinary enneagram book.

Weaving theology, spirituality, neuroscience, and psychology, Dr. Moser introduces you to The Way of Discernment: a journey of nine key questions each of us must consider when faced with a decision. Each of these nine questions are grouped into three triads: The Vocation Triad, The Wisdom Triad, and The Practice Triad.

This is an enneagram resource for anyone looking for help in making better decisions. Whether you’re new to the enneagram, or have been working with the enneagram for many years, The Enneagram of Discernment is an essential resource.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Psychology, Self Help, Christian

398 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 23, 2020

About the author

**Drew's next book: The Enneagram of Discernment | The Way of Vocation, Wisdom, & Practice will release August 4, 2020**

Drew Moser, Ph.D. is a certified enneagram teacher, co-host of Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast, and a professional member of the International Enneagram Association. He travels the country teaching the enneagram, and is the author/editor of four books. Drew is also a professor and dean at Taylor University and resides in Upland, Indiana with his family.

Follow him online:
- Website: www.drewmoser.com
- Instagram: @drewmoser; @enneagrammers
- Twitter: @drewmoser
- Email: drewmoser@gmail.com

He's poured this knowledge and experience into Ready or Not: Leaning into Life in our Twenties (coming in 2018). . ., the only book written for twentysomethings to explore the good life through an interactive, dynamic process.

Drew co-directs the Vocation in College Project, a multi-phased research project studying colleges students and calling.

He's a former young adult pastor and non-profit leader. Drew is married to Bekah, his wife of 15 years. Together they have 5 children (yes…5! 3 sons and 2 daughters).

They live the good life in Upland, IN.

Reviews

[K.J. Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drew invites us to step past the shallow earth of simple self-awareness into the wider world of wholeness. This book is more than a map to flourishing. It’s an excavation of the soul. Let Drew’s kind, practical wisdom guide you to the gift of coming home to who you really are.

[Drew]

Well, I wrote it so I'm clearly biased...but I'm truly proud of this book, and I'd be honored it you'd pick up a copy and read it.

[Josiah Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Enneagram read. While still approachable for newcomers, this was a great “next step” book to go a little deeper into the approach to the types and where to go beyond simply figuring out what the types are.

[Rachel Hafler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Enneagram of Discernment offers a completely new perspective on the enneagram that is incredibly valuable and contributes something new to the conversation. This is not necessarily an enneagram intro book, but is an amazing resource to pick up once you've explored the basics and are looking for a guide to deeper engagement.
Drew explores time perspectives and stances and provides really practical action steps for each type to put into practice. He also keeps his language and framework for discussing each type consistent so that it is easy to understand the differences and nuances between the dominant types. This book is incredibly well-researched and draws from a lot of different sources, which are cited at the end of each chapter (wooohooo!).
I loved the questions in each type chapter that encourage greater exploration and engagement with the material. I read this slowly and took time to reflect on the main questions of discernment. Drew writes concisely and with tons of wisdom and humility. Highly recommend this book!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drew’s approach to the Enneagram is both innovative and deeply grounded. He provides readers with a path forward beyond mere typologies and delves into the complex and important conversation of vocation and the Enneagram. A great book for all - especially those who’ve previously read “The Sacred Enneagram” or “The Road Back to You”

[Tyler Tong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drew's approach to the enneagram is extremely practical no matter where you are at in your enneagram journey. Pulling from the wisdom of enneagram teachers and his own journey, he covers the basics while also explaining the intricate relationships of every type. This is definitely a resource I'll use in my own journey as well as a reference for working with students for years to come.

[Hoppi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep, thought provoking, emotionally difficult. This book is not for the newly initiated. A reader needs an intermediate grasp of the enneagram framework and Christianity (or some Abrahamic tradition) to get the most out of this. I love the effort and attention he put into writing and presenting this unique perspective of the enneagram. He goes so far beyond the enneagram of personality and shows us a God Dream of sorts. What we as humans were intended to be before the fall perhaps. It's deep but also very practical. Each type has a list of things to focus on and quality questions to ask themselves to bring their awareness back to reality.

[Nicole Senft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drew Moser does not disappoint with his writing. He is very insightful. In this book, he teaches the reader about the Enneagram and how to use it in your vocation. I highly recommend this book!

[stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenging, encouraging, practical, even healing. I appreciated this book so much. The intention and care with which Drew speaks about type and how knowing your type is just the trailhead to the journey is beautiful. As a dominant type 4 - I felt very seen. Couldn’t recommend this enough. One I will come back to again and again - I’m sure.

[Austin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The enneagram has recently surged in popularity, thanks to an increase in podcasts, blogs, and social media profiles dedicated to exposing the wider public to this way of understanding personality. These, though well intended, often reduce the enneagram to quick snippets of stereotypes and jettison the call to difficult transformative work. In this era of the "memification" of the enneagram, Drew Moser's "The Enneagram of Discernment" is a refreshing call back to its utilization as a tool for deep personal and spiritual growth.

Moser takes a new approach, delving deeper into the various triadic breakdowns of the enneagram, to assist each type in understanding their natural strengths and pitfalls when it comes to topics such as wisdom, vocation, and time orientation. After providing an overview of these dimensions, Moser then provides insight into equipping each type to be better prepared for the work of discernment. These nine chapters are mirrored in structure and language, providing an easy cross-reference between types for those interested in comparing.

Moser, in true higher education/student development professional fashion, also provides a meticulous list of references, allowing interested readers to find the sources from which he derived his ideas. The result is an applied synthesis of enneagram literature along with innovative and original ideas focused on the discernment process. Though there is an overview of the enneagram present in the first few chapters, this books is best suited to those who are already familiar with it and are looking for ways to practically use the enneagram in their process of personal growth or who want to help those around them learn to be better participants in the process of discernment. Drew Moser's innovative ideas and call back to the heart of enneagram study and teaching make "the Enneagram of Discernment" a worthy addition to any enneagram library.

[Kimberly]

One of the things I love most about Drew’s “Enneagram of Discernment” is the fact that though it is a different approach and he weaves science through for understanding (which I also love) there is a heavy emphasis on application. So many Enneagram books explain all these things but at the end of it you’re left wondering well what do I do with all that information. Each step along the way Drew poses questions for each triad or stance or type to ponder. His whole emphasis is to grow in discerning through the Enneagram.

What’s better is that is all in the first section alone. As you venture into the second section of the book, he further breaks down each triad within the 9 types. He provides questions to grow in our discernment so that we can grow and flourish within our type. While some books focus more on the negative aspects or even sit in the characteristics, Drew highlights the broken places with the light and hope of God so that we can be transformed.

[Jaymie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - Good+

This is a good resource, especially when it comes to the triads. I found the section on orientation to time to be especially interesting and NEW to me in the rest of my Enneagram reading. It took me forever to read this, though, because the writing is dense and a bit dry (especially if you compare it to something like The Road Back to You or, even more, Millenneagram).

When I was able to dig in, the material was very good. This is probably a resource that would sit on my Enneagram shelf until I needed to dig into specific content rather than one I would go back to again and again for the whole.

That said, the pieces on the triads made this completely worth my investment.

[Diane S Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an increadibly well written book. The author does a good job of presenting the facts in a easy to understand way. It is written for people who have studied this subject for years and also for the beginner just starting there journey. I especially enjoy the way God has been woven through the book.

[MacKenzi Nomura]

I really like reading about and exploring the enneagram. This book took me a while to get through but every time I picked it up I enjoyed learning. I was surprised to find the spiritual references in this book - I did not see anything about that in the description prior to purchasing the book but there was a large focus on the Divine Image and God. I didn’t personally mind but something to note!

[Katie Thrush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drew provides incredible insight on the enneagram types! I think this book would be a great resource for those who are advanced on the study of the enneagram and how to use it professionally, academically, and socially. Highly recommend!

[Hans Wulffraat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly written. Recognizable. With some fresh Christian perspective.

[Mona · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best enneagram books I have read.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many great books for discovering the Enneagram and type, but this is the best book I've read for going deeper. I found the wording and descriptions resonated so profoundly and provides a clear and powerful framework for moving forward.

[Jessica Gormong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Enneagram and practical applications of this personality tool. This book is a helpful guide for exploring vocation, wisdom, and practice of discernment within the Enneagram Journey!

[Chin Ai · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book like this one invites (almost forces) you into deep reflection, introspection, humility and honesty. And I'm eternally thankful. What does it mean to come out from your "Altered Self" to becoming your "Authentic Self"? Drew depicts this never-ending journey in a beautiful manner, teaching us how to use the map the enneagram provides while encouraging us to courageously engage with our whole selves, fully trusting that we are God's beloved.

In The Enneagram of Discernment, Drew masterfully guides us to apply the enneagram's wisdom to discern for what he calls the "triadic map of applied identity" with Vocation, Wisdom, and Practice being the three triads of discernment. In the journey of discovering and living into our authentic identity, this book becomes a helpful and compassionate guide, illuminating the questions that might be lurking in our minds, hearts, and/or instincts.

The personas we present to the world are masks. In fact, it seems easier to live from persona and consider it identity. But we only put on the mask because we want to shape how others see us. It’s a response to perception rather than reality. To live from an authentic sense of identity is a response to how I see myself.

[Jostin Samuel Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I discover the enneagram it wrecked my world. It showed me how I hide from life and cope with t the day to day in healthy and unhealthy ways. And it has been such a wild journey. In this book Drew kicks my ennegram knowledge to a new level. Beyond self-reflection, this books really moves me into action. The practicallity he offers for building discernment and wisdom is so refresshing and challenging that it needs to be a must read for any Ennegram lovers as myself.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple Review: Without a doubt the best book I've read on the Enneagram. Period. It is filled with depth, thoughtful analysis, and treats the Enneagram as much more than a personality test and instead dives into the inner recesses of the true and false self. Read this book.

[Jeanine Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for anyone looking to learn to use the enneagram in tangible life-changing ways. Moser explains how the ability to discern and make wise decisions is uniquely found within each number. I found this book very timely, in a world where many forces influence our decisions. Maybe the answer you're looking for can be found within yourself, you just need to put in the work.

[Michelle A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely the best book on the Enneagram since Rohr and Riso. Now that the Enneagram has become part of Pop Culture it's hard to find a book that has any depth. This one does! Probably not the best book for a beginner but if you understand the basic premise of the Enneagram and know your type then you can really learn a lot from this book.

[Sarah Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most helpful Enneagram book I have read. I will come back and reference this many times. I am glad that I had done some learning of the Enneagram prior to reading this book, and have familiarized myself with it over the last few years; I wouldn’t recommend this is an introduction, but it is perfect for going beyond typing.

[Mary Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drew Moser invites the reader to “name the masks we wear, take them off, and see our lives with more clarity, range, and depth.” The Enneagram of Discernment is a great resource for readers interested in a deeper dive into discovering your authentic self.

[Alison Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drew Moser takes the Enneagram to the next level. For those who have discovered their type and are looking for greater depth and knowledge on all types this is the next book to read in your Enneagram journey.

[Shelly J. Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vey insightful!

This is an in depth and practical guide to understanding each of the nine enneagram types. It is thoughtfully written and offers insights and practical steps to better understanding of oneself and other. I recommend this book!

[Benjamin Shurance · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the third book I've read on the Enneagram, and the best. His description and suggestions for my type were helpful.

[Julie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful and full of advice for each number. This is an accessible book that goes beyond entry level Enneagram information.