ANCIENT ART BROUGHT UP TO DATE
By Jean Christou
Cyprus Mail, Cyprus
Nov 12 2007
CHOOSING what workshop to attend at the Mind, Body, Spirit Exhibition
running this weekend can be daunting given the range of esoteric
topics on offer.
However, the Enneagram workshop, run by Danish couple Jack and Helene
Makani, won out at that particular moment over regression therapy,
spiritual DNA and pranic healing, simply by I was curious to learn
more about it.
The Enneagram is not a new concept. As with most esoteric and such
techniques, it is an ancient art brought up to date.
There are many so-called shortcuts to personal development but these
are generally superficial and short-lived.
It’s easy to reach cloud nine and love life in the right circumstances
with the right method but the first sign of trouble can quickly drag
people back into old reactionary behaviour patterns.
Changing these patterns permanently requires time, self-observation
and hard work.
"The Enneagram is a marvellous model to hold up in front of ourselves
and take a look," said Jack. "It explains a lot of our behaviour
and beliefs."
Opinions on the origins of the Enneagram are varied, but in general
early 20th century Greek-Armenian philosopher and teacher George
Gurdjieff is credited with developing it.
He said it was an ancient model and probably Sufi. Others dispute this,
but in any case, even since Gurdjieff’s time it has been modernised
and updated.
"It describes nine personality types, but not superficially. It’s much
more in-depth. It shows nine very different views on the world," said
Helene, who is what is known as a Type 4, while Jack is a Type 5. "I
started to recognise some things in myself," Helene added. "It gives a
deeper understanding about why you are doing the things you’re doing."
Knowing your behaviour patterns allows you to change them, and also
helps in how you then communicate with others. "We develop a false
self, which is a distortion of our true selves," Helene said. "The
Enneagram finds the key to what is behind all these patterns."
But unlike numerology, which assigns people a number and a general
personality type through using their birth name, Enneagram personality
types are calculated after a thorough questioning, conducted by
trained people such as Jack and Helene.
There are many Enneagram tests available online, but Helene said
they were not 100 per cent accurate. The Danish couple runs the tests
through their Cyprus-based centre, The Makani Academy.
Shaped like a nine-pointed star, the Enneagramm shows how you are
influenced by the other eight types, through the use of connecting
lines.
For instance if you are a Type 3, the Achiever, the line inside the
circle links you to Type 6, the Sceptic when you are at your most
negative, and in the other direction to Type 9, the Mediator, when
you’re feeling positive.
People are also influenced from the character types on either side
of them on the chart.
What the Makanis do is help you work out what your type is and how
to use the knowledge to improve your relationship with yourself and
with others through self-observance.
The nine personality types 1. Reformer (perfectionist) 2. Helper (likes
being liked) 3. Achiever (motivation and goals) 4. Individualist
(seeks acceptance through being different) 5. Observer (focused
inwardly and private) 6. Sceptic (constant doubters) 7. Epicure (seeks
fun and happiness) 8. Boss (dominating and in control) 9. Mediator
(seeking inner and outer harmony)
More information on the Makani Academy can be found on
or Tel: 96589709. The Mind, Body Spirit exhibition continues all day
today at the Hilton Park in Nicosia.