Oh My God! I am not crazy!

I received the Essential Enneagram by David Daniels and Virginia Price when I was at the lowest point of my life imaginable. I just hit the wall - suicide or transformation.  The Essential Enneagram invited me to Life. I read those nine paragraphs and thought Oh My God I am not crazy - there are other people out there who sense the world, think and relate to their emotions like I do. It gave me tremendous courage just knowing that I was not alone.

Then I started to attend the classes at the Franciscan Renewal Center. Gloria Cuevas Barnett and Carole Whittaker were the primary Enneagram teachers in Phoenix at that time.  In the many workshops I took Carole and Gloria invited each participant to explore our inner worlds. Carol provided the didactic structure and Gloria offered the experiential connection.  We meditated together. We shared the insights of our week. We opened our hearts to each other. In this way Gloria and Carole were able to create a very heart felt community among us. They led by example and walked their paths along with us.

During each class I gained profound, life changing awareness.  There was no going back to the old patterns of behavior.  I was no longer stuck. Sure the patterns didn't dissolve overnight. I will work with these patterns till the day I die but these patterns no longer have a tight hold on me. I am able to see myself, relax and let go a bit more. I also have compassion for myself and others because now I understand the fundamental blind spot and gift of each type.  I move in the world much easier thanks to the Enneagram.  The Enneagram in the Narrative Tradition is a spiritual path that I will continue to explore for the rest of my life.

Chris Power

Enneagram Classes are now held at Paradise Valley United Methodist Church, 4455 E. Lincoln Dr. Paradise Valley, AZ  85253; 602-840-8360 ext.142.

Contact Diane Shevlin at 480-367-1998 or db.shevlin246@gmail.com for class info and to register.