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As
mentioned previously, the aspect of the Enneagram in which
people are generally most interested is that of analysing the
personality. In other articles we have clarified the fact that
in human psychology there is the illusion of the stable and
ultimate “I”, which is, on the countrary, not one “I”,
but a mixture of parts of the “I” which are in fact often in
conflict and opposed to one another. The Enneagram was used by
Gurdjieff to this end. He used it to analyse and study the
various mechanical aspects of the human personality. In this
way, he was able to identify what kind of work would be most
suitable for each particular seeker.
There are, however, no traces of any written legacy on this
subject by Gurdjieff. What he passed on to his followers in this
regard, he passed on directly via oral transmission.
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Let’s
start with the concept that every person has his/her own
personality, which is the result of both a series of social
influences and his/her own processes.
The
personality is, however, in sharp contrast with the part known as
“Essence”. “Essence” is the sole target of sacred psychology in general. Its intention is to bring “Essence”
back into a balanced and flourishing state.
The
Enneagram indicates nine aspects of the personality. The
personality, in trying to free itself of its identifications, is
attempting to find once again its lost originality. The
excessive fixation of a person on a particular point of
the Enneagram, shows the areas in which it would be necessary to
act for that person in order to redress his/her hardness and
excesses. |
The Enneagram |
Acting
in this way, a person moves towards an experience of
liberation from his/her personality fixation, which is the
main cause of his/her suffering.
The
use of the Enneagram in such a way, so easily accessible
even to those who do not wish to pursue further studies of
its other aspects and uses, is opposed by those who
possess a much wider knowledge of its vastness.
The
Enneagram is also represented on the Otz Chiim, the Tree
of Life: the main representation of Western
spirituality.
Many
Arabian alchemists, aware of its vastness and value,
“exported” the symbol of the Enneagram, giving it into
the hands of Cabalists. And in fact, there are also traces
of the symbol of the Enneagram in some alchemic documents
of the 18th century.
In
analysing the symbol, it can be seen that it is composed
of 6 connected points and 3 other points
forming a triangle, which is not linked tothe other
elements.
If
one arranges the symbols of the 7 planets around each of
these 6 main points, putting the Sun (1) at the centre (as
indicated in the tradition from which this symbol of the
Enneagram comes), there are some interesting discoveries
to be made.
Note that in
the image above, the positions of the planets shown on the
Enneagram fit accordingly, even if reflected in a mirror, with
those of this image taken from “La Sapesse des Anciens” (knowledge
of the Elders) dated approximately 1730.
The
history of Alchemy in the West dates back to the 7th century AD, at the time of
the Arab invasions. The cultural influence of Arabian people
gave a huge impulse to the research which developed in Europe some centuries
after. As a result of the work of Constantine the African (1020-1087), in the
11th century a great number of Western researchers became aware of the enormous
cultural treasures available in the Arabic language.
In
Europe, around the 12th and 13th centuries, there appeared a great quantity of
Latin manuscripts regardingAlchemy. They were complete translations
of the Arabic texts.
Towards
the end of the 13th century, the majority of the scripts had been translated.
European researchers then went on to work independently.
In
the 14th and 15th centuries, however, the material of the researchers proved less
original than one might have expected when compared to the great progress
achieved during the 12th and 13th centuries.
The
new independence did not bring about rapid and immediate development in the study of alchemy. Rather it seemed that the researchers had to consider
the Arabic material in their hands more
carefully.
The
Enneagram, therefore, was also a symbolic instrument for those alchemists able
to interpret it.
Unfortunately
knowledge of this interpretation was buried in the minds and hearts of those who
knew it.
“…the
science of the Enneagram has long been kept a secret, and although today it is,
in a sense, accessible to all everyone, it is accessible in
an incomplete and theoretical form, unusable for anyone who has
not been educated in this science by a man who is himself a Master of it.” (P.D.
Ouspensky - In search of the miraculous).
Giovanni
Quinti
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