mindfulness practices

self-remembering

if you can, remember a moment where you experienced intense gratitude, joy, peace, or insight. a moment that felt like a gift, rather than something…

what is mindfulness

there is a commonly accepted definition of mindfulness: “non-judgmental awareness.”  so, we just sit down, and be non-judgmentally aware. no sweat, right? but how do…

coming into the moment

from the title of this practice, we can see that our formal mindfulness practice is not a doing, but rather a being with experience. “practice”…

practicing mindfulness in everyday life

mindfulness means living your life more from simple direct awareness, rather than feelings and thoughts referring to past and future. it is also a powerful tool in emotion regulation...

improving communication using the Enneagram

really hearing another is a blend of listening to the content of what they’re saying, noticing their body language and feelings, and being aware of our own interpretive blind spots and cognitive distortions...

communication patterns in the Enneagram

deepen your awareness of your type's communication patterns — your way of relating, listening, giving feedback, managing conflict and influencing others...

writing styles in the Enneagram

as with speaking, paying attention to our writing style can deepen our self-awareness, and we can also practice integration and maturing using writing as a vehicle...

generative listening practice

really hearing another is a blend of listening to the content of what they’re saying, noticing their body language and feelings, and being aware of our own interpretive blind spots and cognitive distortions...

What Happens in the Silence?

excerpt from a talk by Nancy Kline about he generative nature of deep attention and silence in coaching.

Enneagram type 1

reformer, perfectionist, judge, crusader, critic perfectionists, responsible, and fixated on improvement, type ones are looking to make things better...

Enneagram type 2

helper, giver, caretaker, nurturer, advisor, type twos measure their worth by how helpful they are to others...

Enneagram type 3

achiever, performer, motivator, producer, type threes need to be validated in order to feel worthy...

Enneagram type 4

individualist, artist, romantic, mystic, over-analyzer, type fours tend to build their identities around their perception of themselves as being somehow different or unique...

Enneagram type 5

investigator, observer, thinker, sage, thinkers, who tend to withdraw and observe; people of this personality type essentially fear that they don't have enough inner strength to face life...

Enneagram type 6

loyalist, devil’s advocate, sceptic, guardian, rebel, conflicted between trust and distrust, type sixes essentially feel insecure...

Enneagram type 7

enthusiast, epicure, entertainer, optimist, adventurer, pleasure seekers and planners, in search of distraction, type sevens are essentially concerned that their lives be an exciting adventure...

Enneagram type 8

challenger, solution master, maverick, protector, taking charge because they don't want to be controlled, people of this personality type are essentially unwilling to be controlled...

Enneagram type 9

peacemaker, mediator, naturalist, accomodator, type nines essentially feel a need for peace and harmony...

Enneagram archetypes

there are 27 tritypes — patterns in which the different intelligences work together. these patterns are helpful for understanding what kind of work you would be happy in...

psychological defense mechanisms

understanding psychological defense mechanisms is pivotal if we want to understand how our personality functions, or in other words, how we relate to others and the world...

accessing your center of intelligence

you can expand and train your awareness by being mindful of each of the three centers of intelligence and the information each provides...

center of intelligence in the Enneagram

a closer look at the center of intelligence in each Enneagram type...

the three triads in the Enneagram types

triads are important in transformational work because they specify where our chief imbalances lie. they represent the three main clusters of ego defenses and reveal the principal ways in which we identify with our interpretation...

integration for type 1

by integrating type nine qualities they become more able to relax and integrate different views. they become less reactive and open to other opinions, expanding their own view...

integration for type 2

integration for type 3

by integrating their type two wing, type threes become more sensitive to the feelings of others, as well as their own. they become more generous with time and resources and let go of their intense competitive edge...

integration for type 4

by integrating their type three wing, they become more driven by outcomes than their own emotional interior. they become more action oriented, and this action/goal orientation prompts them to watch their mental states...

integration for type 5

with the integration of their type four wing, type fives expand their curious capacity into emotions. they become more sensitive to the emotional content of conversation, and more expressive of their own emotional experience...

integration for type 6

maturing into the qualities of the type five allows them to become more internally focused. this, in turn, makes the type six more self-contained, tempering their reactivity...

integration for type 7

through integrating their type six wing, the type seven becomes more committed to a chosen course of action. using their enthusiasm to support others, they now think about consequences, like the type six...

integration for type 8

immature type eights are typically unaware of their impact and will be reactive when informed. through integrating their type seven wing type eights become more light-hearted, spirited, and independent...

integration for type 9

immature type nines also easily give in to their typical defense of narcotization. through the integration of their type eight wing, the type nine develops much more of a “take charge” orientation...

Enneagram-based objects of attention in relationship

now we can take our practice into relationship, and get to know ourselves and others more deeply, whilst becoming more skillful and attentive in our interaction...

unconscious objects made conscious

by knowing what to look for in our attitude and behavior we can make unconscious objects conscious (known). none of these objects are bad, but not knowing that they’re operating can make life very challenging and difficult to understand...

Enneagram types in relationship

a summary of the needs, wake-up calls, egoic identifications, values, ways of self-sabotaging, and healing of each type in relationship...

type 1 instincts

type one belongs to the body or action triad associated with anger, and a focus of attention related to order, structure, and control. the mental function assesses, regulates, and often actively stops “wrong” impulses originating in the body...

type 2 instincts

archetypically the type two represents the person who seeks to please in order to evoke affection. in this way material and emotional support may be attained without having to ask for it...

type 3 instincts

type three is typically out of contact with their own emotions and use an identification with “success” to win the acknowledgment, acceptance, and love of others...

type 4 instincts

in order to find the love of self that they have disconnected from, type twos strive to have a likeable image, type threes to create an image of achievement and value, and type fours present themselves as unique and special...

type 5 instincts

in many ways, the type five is the classic introvert, oriented primarily to the inner world, and directed towards understanding that which they perceive...

type 6 instincts

in a world they experience as dangerous, the focus for the type six is on what might go wrong and planning for it, to reduce the possibility...

type 7 instincts

type seven belongs to the thinking triad, associated with the core emotion of fear and a central concern with safety. however, type seven may not necessarily feel fear, as they underplay their emotions...

type 8 instincts

type eights have easy access to anger and often overdo their anger. they often move impulsively to express before giving themselves time to think...

type 9 instincts

type nines have a capacity for anger, like all other types, but in order to stay comfortable they habitually avoid connecting with this emotional energy...

Enneagram styles and conflict management

here, we take a closer look at each type's common triggers and reactions, and how they can best approach and self-manage during conflict.

is mindfulness the enemy of change?

there is a growing movement that opposes and criticizes the practice of mindfulness. tts argument takes a few different forms, but it can be summarized as follows...

levels of maturing for type 1

from wise realist through idealistic reformer to intolerant person: a summary of the qualities of each level of maturity in the type 1.

levels of maturing for type 2

from non-attached altruist through effusive friend to self-deceptive manipulator: a summary of the qualities of each level of maturity in the type 2.

levels of maturing for type 3

from authentic person through competitive status-seeker to exploitative opportunist: a summary of the qualities of each level of maturity in the type 3.

levels of maturing for type 4

from inspired creator through imaginative aesthete to alienated depressive: a summary of the qualities of each level of maturity in the type 4.

levels of maturing for type 5

from pioneering visionary through studious expert to isolated nihilist: a summary of the qualities of each level of maturity in the type 5.

levels of maturing for type 6

from valiant hero through dutiful loyalist to overreacting dependent person: a summary of the qualities of each level of maturity in the type 6.

levels of maturing for type 7

from ecstatic appreciator through experienced sophisticate to impulsive escapist: a summary of the qualities of each level of maturity in the type 7.

levels of maturing for type 8

from magnanimous heart through enterprising adventurer to ruthless outlaw: a summary of the qualities of each level of maturity in the type 8.

levels of maturing for type 9

from self-possessed guide through accomodating role player to defying doormat: a summary of the qualities of each level of maturity in the type 9.

expanding emotional awareness

when we become aware of our emotions and their associated thought-action processes, we begin to recognize patterns in our behavior that would otherwise remain unconscious...