Scan barcode
adamrshields's review
4.0
Short Review: I think this was the better of the two books I have read so far on the Enneagram. I am still a bit skeptical of it as a system, but I am a bit skeptical about all personality system. I do see some real value in spiritual direction and spiritual growth. And I think the focus on personality traits as something that both has value to the person and is part of the inherent weakness of the person is helpful. Our greatest strengths are often our greatest weaknesses and show us our need for others to help balance and show our need for others.
I think I know enough now to understand how the system works, but it will be a while before I am really conversant outside of my own type. I do think this is probably a book that is better in print than in audio, but the audio was fine. It is just that this type of content is given toward lists and charts and being able to flip back and forth would be helpful.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/mirror-for-the-soul/
I think I know enough now to understand how the system works, but it will be a while before I am really conversant outside of my own type. I do think this is probably a book that is better in print than in audio, but the audio was fine. It is just that this type of content is given toward lists and charts and being able to flip back and forth would be helpful.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/mirror-for-the-soul/
tammyw14's review
3.0
As a Christian who has been studying the Enneagram for a number of years, I am always looking for books I can recommend to fellow Christians who wish to learn more about this work. In Mirror for the Soul, I found a book that has a lot to recommend for a group of people learning to use the Enneagram as a tool to grow their faith, provided that they enter into the study with a solid knowledge of the Enneagram from other sources. The author does not provide enough detail about the Enneagram to build a sufficiently strong foundation for Christian growth using this tool. I appreciate that she attempts to expand understanding of the centers of intelligence, one of the more valuable aspects of the Enneagram when it comes to growth of any kind, especially Christian growth, but she uses the centers of intelligence as a way of simplifying the Enneagram rather than expanding our understanding of it. I wish that she had targeted an audience already familiar with the Enneagram and seeking to go deeper; by targeting a more beginner audience, she doesn't provide enough substance to do much. That said, I read this book alone, and I would love to do it with others to see if the opportunity to engage in the discussion questions offers an added dimension to this work. I found her use of the Bible to be especially engaging. And I also appreciated her perspectives on using the Enneagram in spiritual direction.
lneff514's review
5.0
Excellent resource for those who want to take a next step with the Enneagram. Alice gives one of the best explanations of the false self/true self that I've ever read.
Great book for spiritual directors, those who have dabbled in the Enneagram, and those who want to learn more about the intersection of spiritual growth and self-awareness.
Great book for spiritual directors, those who have dabbled in the Enneagram, and those who want to learn more about the intersection of spiritual growth and self-awareness.
shoelessmama's review
4.0
Of the enneagram books I've read so far I've liked this one the best. It seemed like it gave more actionable information. Some of the other books have talked about how once you figure out your # you use that information to grow upon but this was the first time I felt I was given some options for doing that.
brycebeyer's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
The content was great, but I did wish there was more about each type. Her writing style wasn’t always my favorite, but I appreciated her insights, and feel that she understands grace
The content was great, but I did wish there was more about each type. Her writing style wasn’t always my favorite, but I appreciated her insights, and feel that she understands grace
livingpalm1's review
4.0
I’d already read several of the books at the top of the Enneagram suggested reading list and while this accessible work from Alice Fryling probably wouldn’t be my first recommendation for an introduction to the Enneagram, it definitely would be what I recommend for those wanting a theologically and biblically-oriented viewpoint. Of the Enneagram books I’ve read written for the Christian reader, this might be my favorite because it provides a bit more substance and integrates some of the common language of Christianity with specific application points with the Enneagram.
I also appreciated the author’s value for honoring the mystery inherent to each of us as made in the image of a mysterious and always-revealing God even as we try to know ourselves in a deeper, God-honoring way.
For example:
“So how do we learn our number? This is another great puzzle. There are many online tests and in-book inventories, but often they give suspicious results. This is because it is so very difficult to uncover our blind spots. We respond to inventories with what we know about ourselves, which is often an incomplete picture. The Enneagram describes motivation rather than behavior, and most tests ask about behavior, or our answers reflect our behavior.”
And
“I have found that the Enneagram respects the observation that the soul is shy, like a wild animal. Parker Palmer says that ‘if we want to see a wild animal, the last thing we should do is to go crashing through the woods, shouting for it to come out.’ Instead, we need to ‘walk quietly into the woods and sit silently’ until ‘out of the corner of an eye we will catch a glimpse of the precious wildness we seek.’ Palmer is not writing about the Enneagram, but this is a good reminder that we dare not crash through the woods of the Enneagram yelling for our soul to come out. The Enneagram is much more likely to give us ‘glimpses’ into our souls. The process may be painful, but it is gentle.”
I also appreciated the author’s value for honoring the mystery inherent to each of us as made in the image of a mysterious and always-revealing God even as we try to know ourselves in a deeper, God-honoring way.
For example:
“So how do we learn our number? This is another great puzzle. There are many online tests and in-book inventories, but often they give suspicious results. This is because it is so very difficult to uncover our blind spots. We respond to inventories with what we know about ourselves, which is often an incomplete picture. The Enneagram describes motivation rather than behavior, and most tests ask about behavior, or our answers reflect our behavior.”
And
“I have found that the Enneagram respects the observation that the soul is shy, like a wild animal. Parker Palmer says that ‘if we want to see a wild animal, the last thing we should do is to go crashing through the woods, shouting for it to come out.’ Instead, we need to ‘walk quietly into the woods and sit silently’ until ‘out of the corner of an eye we will catch a glimpse of the precious wildness we seek.’ Palmer is not writing about the Enneagram, but this is a good reminder that we dare not crash through the woods of the Enneagram yelling for our soul to come out. The Enneagram is much more likely to give us ‘glimpses’ into our souls. The process may be painful, but it is gentle.”
More...