The Enneagram is a system of nine personality types that help us to understand why we do what we do. At its best, the Enneagram is a profound spiritual tool that serves as a map of our personalities and combines modern psychology with traditional wisdom teachings. It helps us to understand our motivations, and allows us to see ourselves in action as we understand there is more to us than our habitual patterns of behavior and thought.

Russ Hudson says the purpose of the Enneagram is not to put you in a box, but to see the box you are already in, and how to get out. As you start the journey of self-discovery, perhaps the blessing below with give you strength, support and insight along your path.

Beloved Is Where We Begin

If you would enter into the wilderness,
do not begin without a blessing,

Do not leave without hearing who you are:
Beloved, named by the One who has traveled this path before you.

Do not go without letting it echo in your ears,
and if you find it is hard to let it into your heart. do not despair.
That is what this journey is for.

I cannot promise this blessing will free you
from danger, from fear, from hunger, or thirst,
from the scorching of the sun or the fall of the night.

But I can tell you that on this path there will be help.

I can tell you that on this way there will be rest.

I can tell you that you will know the strange graces that come to our aid
only on a road such as this, that fly to meet us bearing comfort and strength,
that come alongside us for no other cause than to lean themselves
toward our ear and with their curious insistence whisper our name:

Beloved.

Beloved.

Beloved.

— Jan Richardson —