A Journey into the Enneagram Metaphysics of Transformation
Have you ever sensed that life unfolds in patterns—subtle yet profound? The Enneagram, a nine-pointed symbol, is more than a personality framework. It offers a timeless transformation map, reflecting universal and personal cycles and rhythms. This map illuminates how things change, evolve, and integrate, whether in personal growth or creative endeavors. To make this profound system tangible, let’s see how Enneagram metaphysics applies to a modern experience: launching an Instagram account.
Podcast Discussion
What Is the Enneagram?
The Enneagram is a dynamic symbol composed of three elements:
The Circle: Represents unity and wholeness—the starting and ending point of all processes.
The Triangle: Represents the Law of Three, the interplay of forces required for creation and movement.
The Hexad: Reflects the Law of Seven, showing the rhythmic stages of growth and transformation.
Each of the nine points represents a distinct energy or step in a process. Together, they form a framework for understanding how creation unfolds. Let’s unpack this by following the journey of launching an Instagram account, a process millennials and creators often embark upon.
Unity and Purpose
The circle is the container for the process—the overarching purpose behind your effort. When you start an Instagram account, the circle holds your “why.”
- Maybe you’re sharing your fitness journey, building a travel blog, or promoting a personal brand.
- This purpose isn’t just an abstract idea—it’s the glue that binds every stage of creation.
All is one.
Parmenides
Without this unifying vision, the process lacks cohesion, leading to stagnation or misdirection. Ask yourself: What is my ultimate goal? The more precise your purpose, the more stable the circle holds your process.
The Law of Three
Every creative journey involves three fundamental forces:
- Active Force (Point 3): The spark of inspiration—the idea to start the account.
- Passive Force (Point 6): Challenges and resistance, such as time constraints, self-doubt, or competitive pressure.
- Reconciling Force (Point 9): The persistence and adaptive energy required to transform obstacles into stepping stones.
One becomes two, two becomes three, and out of the third comes the one as the fourth.
Maria Prophetissa
The triangle reminds us that movement only happens when all three forces are engaged. For example:
- Your initial excitement (Active Force) meets the reality of dwindling likes or slow follower growth (Passive Force).
- The reconciling energy comes from your determination to adapt, adjust, and keep going.
The Process of Creation
The Enneagram is a symbol of perpetual motion. It can help us understand the fundamental laws of the universe and the transformation of energy, but only if we approach it with more than the mind—with feeling and will.
J.G. Bennett
The hexad maps six distinct stages in bringing your Instagram project to life. Each point represents a critical phase, from inception to integration:
- Point 1: Inception
- This is the moment of clarity and intention.
- You create the account, brainstorm its purpose, choose a username, and imagine its aesthetic.
- It’s where excitement meets possibility, but the real work is yet to begin.
- Point 4: Planning
- Here, your vision takes form.
- You brainstorm content ideas, draft captions, and develop a strategy.
- The focus shifts from lofty goals to actionable steps—how will you launch? What posts will set the tone?
- Point 2: Action
- This is the leap into reality.
- You post your first content, engage with your audience, and experience the thrill of putting yourself out there.
- Seeing how your efforts resonate in the real world is exhilarating and humbling.
- Point 8: Adjustment
- Now, reality speaks back.
- You analyze engagement metrics, like follower growth or comments, and tweak your approach.
- Maybe hashtags need refining, or posting times require adjustment.
- Point 5: Reflection
- Amid the busyness, you pause to reflect.
- What’s working? What isn’t?
- You notice that your audience engages more with authentic stories than curated visuals.
- Point 7: Integration
- Here, everything comes together.
- You establish a rhythm, balancing creativity with consistency.
- Your account begins to reflect your vision as a cohesive, evolving presence.
Keeping the Process Alive
The Law of Seven teaches that processes don’t flow automatically to completion. Intentional energy—“shocks”—are needed to propel the journey forward.
- First Shock (Point 3 to Point 6)
- After the initial excitement fades, motivation can waver.
- This is the time to find inspiration from others or reignite your energy through new ideas.
- Second Shock (Point 6 to Point 9)
- Obstacles challenge your commitment, but adapting to feedback injects renewed purpose, allowing the process to progress.
The shocks are necessary interruptions that prevent a process from falling into inertia or disintegration. They are moments of intervention—external or internal—that reawaken purpose and redirect energy toward the fulfillment of the process.
J.G. Bennett
Shocks aren’t setbacks; they’re opportunities to refine and grow.
What Does This Teach Us?
The Enneagram reveals universal truths about creation:
- Cyclic Nature: Progress isn’t linear but cyclical, requiring revisitation and refinement.
- Obstacles as Opportunities: Challenges deepen commitment and drive evolution.
- Balance: Success lies in harmonizing action with reflection and persistence with adaptability.
This insight applies far beyond Instagram—it’s a map for navigating any creative or transformative journey.
This moment is all there is. Dive into the heart of it and find the eternal rhythm of life.
Hazrat Inayat Khan
The Enneagram as a Personal Metaphysical Journey
Imagine encountering the Enneagram for the first time. Maybe it’s a meme about personality types or a friend’s glowing recommendation. Curiosity sparks, but skepticism lingers. You pick up a book, not knowing this small action marks the start of a transformative journey. The process begins with curiosity, symbolized by the circle, and unfolds through the triangle’s forces:
Active Force: Your curiosity drives exploration.
Passive Force: Skepticism questions the process.
Reconciling Force: Engaging—reading or exploring—propels you forward.
Discovery Through the Hexad
As you dive into the Enneagram, the six steps of discovery emerge:
- Point 1: Inception: The introduction excites you with its promise of self-understanding.
- Point 4: Exploration: You delve into types, recognizing traits that feel uncomfortably accurate.
- Point 2: Engagement: You reflect, take tests, or discuss insights, deepening your connection to the material.
- Point 8: Confrontation: The Enneagram challenges you to face patterns and blind spots, sparking discomfort and growth.
- Point 5: Reflection: Insights are integrated into your understanding, connecting concepts to personal experiences.
- Point 7: Integration: You see the Enneagram’s principles in action, applying them to relationships, work, and self-awareness.
Transformation Beyond the Map
Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?
Shams Tabrizi
The Enneagram isn’t a static system but a living framework. Its principles evolve with you, inviting deeper layers of understanding over time. It offers tools for navigating life’s complexities, whether applied to personal growth, relationships, or creative projects. Ultimately, the Enneagram reminds us that transformation isn’t a destination—it’s an ongoing journey.
By engaging with its wisdom, we move closer to our true nature, one step at a time.