Enneagram Main Board Archive

enneagrams and the five buddha families

enneagrams and the five buddha families

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Enneagram Message Board ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Steven J. Lawrence on February 27, 1998 at 17:53:29:

When one steps from one spiritual path to another, he has to contend with other followers' attachment to their respective symbol-systems. For example, if one studied with a teacher of the Fourth Way (Gurdjieff's system), and finds more heart in Buddhism, he now has to shift his focus from personality/essence integration to what seems to be an entirely essence-oriented practice. He may find something in Buddhism that suits him, but he cannot reconcile what he feels to be an inferior understanding of the phenomenal world, on the Buddhist's part.

It is clear from my experience that there are many "awake" Buddhists. Likewise, there are "awake" followers of Gurdjieff. However, their systems are very different, especially on the subject of personality types. I feel very strongly that the enneagram is the most right-on system of personality dynamics I have ever known. I have been studying it and observing people (and myself) for almost six years, and, while I am aware that there is a danger of perceiving and categorizing with an already-worked-out theory, I am constantly amazed at the consistency of the enneagram types. Sixes, predictably are reactionary, and I have found this to be so. Threes, are always seemingly perfect, but subtly competitive (only subtle outwardly.)
Eights never fail to dominate the situation, or to exude rich, earthy energy.

The Five Buddha Families (Tibetan Buddhism, mostly), can easily be matched with some of the enneagram types, but mostly they combine two or three in one. The five Buddha familes, are often described in intuitive language, the language of symbols, and poetry. And it is remarkable how much they match up to the enneagram. Still, the enneagram is far more practical as a tool for waking up in this world.

I guess I don't have a clear question. I just wonder if anyone else finds it as difficult as I do, to be playing with two different stack of cards, while my dharma friends have only one. They seem to have mastered themselves more than I (I'm still quite young and new at all this), but they have illusions about personalities and the necessity of personality, that I don't.

I feel the enneagram, as a tool, as led me into a wonderful world of self-study and the understanding of others. But I cannot share that with my buddha-family-stuck dharma pals. Anyone?

Follow Ups:

Re: enneagrams and the five buddha families Dave 06:29:17 2/28/98 (0)
Re: enneagrams and the five buddha families Dave 06:28:54 2/28/98 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: When one steps from one spiritual path to another, he has to contend with other followers' attachment to their respective symbol-systems. For example, if one studied with a teacher of the Fourth Way (Gurdjieff's system), and finds more heart in Buddhism, he now has to shift his focus from personality/essence integration to what seems to be an entirely essence-oriented practice. He may find something in Buddhism that suits him, but he cannot reconcile what he feels to be an inferior understanding of the phenomenal world, on the Buddhist's part. : It is clear from my experience that there are many "awake" Buddhists. Likewise, there are "awake" followers of Gurdjieff. However, their systems are very different, especially on the subject of personality types. I feel very strongly that the enneagram is the most right-on system of personality dynamics I have ever known. I have been studying it and observing people (and myself) for almost six years, and, while I am aware that there is a danger of perceiving and categorizing with an already-worked-out theory, I am constantly amazed at the consistency of the enneagram types. Sixes, predictably are reactionary, and I have found this to be so. Threes, are always seemingly perfect, but subtly competitive (only subtle outwardly.) : Eights never fail to dominate the situation, or to exude rich, earthy energy. : The Five Buddha Families (Tibetan Buddhism, mostly), can easily be matched with some of the enneagram types, but mostly they combine two or three in one. The five Buddha familes, are often described in intuitive language, the language of symbols, and poetry. And it is remarkable how much they match up to the enneagram. Still, the enneagram is far more practical as a tool for waking up in this world. : I guess I don't have a clear question. I just wonder if anyone else finds it as difficult as I do, to be playing with two different stack of cards, while my dharma friends have only one. They seem to have mastered themselves more than I (I'm still quite young and new at all this), but they have illusions about personalities and the necessity of personality, that I don't. : I feel the enneagram, as a tool, as led me into a wonderful world of self-study and the understanding of others. But I cannot share that with my buddha-family-stuck dharma pals. Anyone?

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Enneagram Message Board ] [ FAQ ] wwwboard/messages/565.html

Your Ad Here