Personality Types: Using the Enneagram for Self-Discovery

Almost every other book in this area of interest approaches the subject from a static perspective. People are put in boxes. "This is what you are." Jung's boxes in his book Personality Types seemed to suggest that everybody was sick. All the others I've read (more than a dozen) describe each personality box as being really good in this or that. And totally ignored are evil, neurosis, mediocrity, stupidity, growth, change and personal development. This study examines and explores the range and depth of human potential, its starting points, paths and patterns of development that is sorely lacking elsewhere. It was one of those "Wow! Yes!" reading experiences.

This is an excellent resource for those interested in learning about the different personality types and understanding their behavior. I have read other books on typology, but this book about the Enneagram goes even further. It provides detail on each personality type's "hot buttons", what motivates them, tips on enhancing relationships with the different types, and suggestions on what each personality type can do to develop themselves. What's really interesting is that the different traits and characteristics of each type are categorized so that you are able to determine if someone (or yourself) is healthy, average, or unhealthy. This is valuable information because it's an indicator when you, or a loved one, needs help because it tells you what traits are exhibited when someone is unhealthy or starting to drift towards the unhealthy range. This can happen when someone is under too much stress or for a number of different reasons. As I studied this book, I was easily able to type friends, family members, and myself.