Whether it is “all work and no play” making us “dull” boys and girls, burning the proverbial “candle at both ends” all the way to the middle, or the tyranny of our “let’s do lunch” commitments; we often get so used to the experience of ourselves in energetically lopsided states, that we start to mistake those out-of-balance sensations for the “real” self.    A deeper understanding of the Instinctual Variants of the Enneagram Types can inspire us to experiment with something new: the exhilarating experience of balance!

Each of the nine Enneagram Types has three Instinctual Variants.   Those variants are determined by the kind of dominant survival impulse by which we prioritize our life activities.  While we have all three survival impulses or “instincts” in us, one of these instincts usually drives more of our behavior and choices than the other two.  

If we lead with the Self-Preservation instinctual impulse, themes of safety, comfort, well-being, and resources may overpower our life’s value system.  If our dominant focus is emerging from the Sexual instinctual impulse, then themes of intimacy, chemistry, and excitement may take an unhealthy precedence over the other two drives.  If the Social instinctual impulse rules our life, a tendency to adapt to the self to serve the needs of the social situation can cause us invest in life’s activities in an energetically imbalanced way.

As we open our awareness of the other two instinctual survival drives, we create the opportunity to experience the balanced self, which allows the true “I” to emerge more freely.   Awareness of this supplementary Enneagram system also allows for greater depth in our psycho-spiritual work with our own Type issues.  With the increased support and lowered distraction that this balanced instinctual life provides, we can live and relate with new vitality, sincerity, and clarity. 

For more on the Enneagram Instinctual Variants, join us this summer at Mercy Center, in Burlingame, CA, for

The Three Instincts:  Using the Enneagram to Create Balance in Your Life and Harmony in Your Relationships

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The Enneagram and Relationships: the Dynamics of Intimacy and Personal Effectiveness (The Enneagram Institute “Relationships Workshop”)
(A workshop with Ronna Phifer-Ritchie, Ph.D. and Roxanne Howe-Murphy, Ed.D.)

A life without relationships… it’s impossible. Relationships are core to our existence, and have an enormous impact on our identity, health, self-worth, success in the world, and even our survival. They can be rewarding and intriguing, as well as baffling and sometimes painful. How we interact with others provides a key to our psychological and spiritual development.

The Enneagram offers a profound and immensely practical way to understand and shift your relationships with others. In this workshop, we will address how core thinking and emotional dynamics operate between different Enneagram types, explore effective methods you can use to communicate with people of each type, and learn how the three Instinctual Variants (Subtypes) affect primary motivations in your relationships. You will gain new perspectives on yourself and others, and gain valuable insights to having healthier relationships.

Notes:

CEU’s: This course meets the requirements for 15 hours of Continuing Education Credit for MFT’s and LCSW’s as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Provider Name: Roxanne Howe-Murphy, Ed.D. Provider number: PCE2759

Cancellation policy: In the event you need to cancel, a $35.00 fee will be deducted from your refund up to 60 days before the 1st day of the workshop. From 8-59 days before the 1st day of the workshop, 50% of the full payment will be refunded. There will be no refunds within 1 week of the workshop.

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Sorry!  Moved to Spring 2010:     Deep Wisdom for Meaningful Relationships (The Christian’s Enneagram): Living the 9 Intimacy Strengths, Benefiting from the 3 Conflict Styles, and Seeking the 1 Reality of God’s Presence Together
(A workshop with Ronna Phifer-Ritchie, Ph.D.)  

Come away for a Saturday of deep spiritual practice in relating and inspiring thoughts from Dr. Ronna Phifer-Ritchie’s multi-year exploration into the intersections between the Enneagram of Personality and early Christianity.   You will enjoy a fall retreat on the Christian’s entrance into the Enneagram of Personality, an entrance through the ever scripturally important door of human relationships.    Join us at beautiful Presentation Center, a Christian Retreat Center in the Santa Cruz Mountains.    Don’t miss this very special time of exploring ways to make more meaningful contact with yourself, God, and the significant others in your life.