Robert Gorzynski, Marlborough

I must admit I had reservations about this book - particularly the personification of the Enneagram (the literary device of 'E' writing the book) and a certain degree of repetition throughout the book. Having studied the Enneagram for some time and used it successfully with clients (as a way of helping them to understand better who they are) I didn't really expect to learn all that much that was new. I was dead wrong.  After attending the Mustard Seed event with Simon Parke I decided to give the book a go and I am mighty pleased I did.

Firstly, the book has caused me to question my existing self knowledge to the point that I have actually changed my diagnosis of my number. There isn't really a way of expressing succinctly how profoundly liberating this has been - it's as if a huge burden has been lifted from my shoulders and, as a result, many other things have fallen into place. One of the most useful features of the book is the author presenting the 'three centres' towards the beginning of the book - it was this that alerted me to my mis-diagnosis.

If you know nothing about the Enneagram this is a good place to start - but peversely it is also a good place to reflect if you think (like me) that you know a little more (especially if, as in my case, you find yourself misguided!). It's certainly not a place to go if you simply want a quick 30 second diagnostic - this book is about a lifetime process and the author makes it clear that it is not always an easy journey. But I have found that it is a journey well worth making with rich rewards for the soul and Simon Parke's book is an ideal starting point.  

June 2009

Rachel Maurice, Marlborough

I found this an interesing introduction and it did help to establish my number.   However, I found the repetition of information at the start of each number summary irritatiting.  

March 2009