The Real Enneagram, a Podcast by the Institute for Conscious Being

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In the deeply moving second half of our interview with Ruthie Bresson, we explore the intersection of profound grief, spiritual travel, and the Enneagram Type 1 ego. Ruthie shares the story of losing her son just months before a planned pilgrimage to Ireland, and how the ICB community held her in a space of complete safety and non-judgment. Taking a hard look at her Type 1 "perfectionism," Ruthie explains the exhausting reality of trying to hide your mistakes from the world, and how the Enneagram finally helped her find true compassion for her whole, imperfect self. 

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Welcome back to part two of our conversation with Fergus Tuohy! In this episode, the ICB team shifts the focus from Fergus's overarching life story to the practical, daily applications of the Enneagram.

How do you stop your ego from taking over when you're just trying to get a simple job done? Fergus shares a hilarious and humbling story about volunteering at his local church food pantry, illustrating how the Type 3 "efficiency trap" can completely blind us to the joy and community right in front of us. He also shares how his passion for whitewater kayaking serves as a profound metaphor for honoring divine law and moving with the current of life rather than fighting it.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How to catch yourself when your ego is spiraling out of balance in everyday situations.
• The profound connection between the spirituality of the Enneagram and the raw power of nature.
• A beautiful reflection on how Enneagram integration can transform our closest relationships and marriages, specifically exploring the shift from an anxious Type 1 to a Joyful Type 7.

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In this episode of The Real Enneagram, hosts Archie Reeves, Shannon Reeves, and Dr. Joseph Howell are joined by writer, outdoorsman, and ICB community member Fergus Tuohy.

Fergus shares his deeply personal journey of leaving a highly successful career as a financial advisor to pursue journalism and writing. As an Enneagram Ego Type 3 (The Achiever/Winner), he discusses the "shock point" of realizing how much of his identity was tied to external success, tailored suits, and professional accolades. Fergus also delves into his current project: a memoir detailing the incredible true story of his Irish immigrant parents—a Catholic priest and a Sister of Mercy who fell in love in 1960s Alabama.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How the Enneagram helped Fergus finally make sense of his life choices and underlying motivations.
• The challenge of stripping away the Type 3 ego and facing who you are without your career titles.
• How understanding Enneagram motivations helped Fergus connect with the deep, complex history of his parents.

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 In the second half of our conversation with Dr. Renee Harmon, the ICB team dives deep into the transformative power of the spiritual pilgrimage. Drawing from her book Life Hikes and her experiences traveling with the Institute for Conscious Being to Greece, Renee explores the "Hero's Journey" as a metaphor for our ongoing life paths.
This episode uncovers how conscious travel challenges us to step outside of our egos and connect with ancient, holy spaces in a deeply personal way. Bringing these grand themes back home, the hosts also discuss the practical, everyday realities of using the Enneagram to navigate close family dynamics.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How the concept of the Hero's Journey teaches us that whether we venture out or stay put, we are all traveling toward a closer version of our true selves.
• A moving story about visiting the Oracle of Delphi and realizing that the answers we seek are already held within us.
• The challenges of seeing your own disintegrated ego behaviors mirrored in other people.
• How understanding the Enneagram types of adult children (and their integration arrows) can completely shift your perspective and parenting approach.

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Welcome back to The Real Enneagram! In this episode, Dr. Joe Howell, Shannon, and Archie Reeves sit down with Dr. Renee Harmon, a retired family physician and the author of Surfing the Waves of Alzheimer's and Life Hikes.

Renee, an Enneagram Ego Type 1, opens up about navigating profound life transitions, including the loss of her husband to early-onset Alzheimer's disease. She shares how her understanding of the Enneagram helped her recognize when she was disintegrating into an unhealthy Type 4 during times of intense stress, and how she now consciously integrates into the joy of her Type 7 "soul child"—the dancing girl.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How solo hiking on narrow, rocky trails serves as a powerful mindfulness practice to quiet the inner critic and stay fully present.
• The beautiful spiritual metaphors Renee draws from nature, such as comparing the growth of a mushroom to the universe imparting wisdom into the soul.
• How Renee’s lifelong identity as a healer has evolved from medical patient care to writing, speaking, and connecting with others through shared pain.
• The process of amalgamating the structured, capable energy of an Ego Type 1 with the free-spirited joy of a Soul Child.

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If you have ever viewed the Enneagram as just another personality test like Myers-Briggs, this episode will completely shift your perspective. Shannon (an Ego Type 4) and Archie (an Ego Type 5) share their personal journeys of rapid transformation, explaining how this powerful framework provided them with a shortcut to self-awareness and a roadmap back to their true selves.

In this episode, you will discover:

• How the Enneagram moves beyond simple personality typing to become a catalyst for profound spiritual growth.
• The difference between letting your emotions and ego drive your reactions versus making grounded, conscious choices.
• Real-life examples of how understanding differing motivations can instantly foster grace and empathy in your everyday relationships and marriage.
• The future vision for this podcast and how these tools can help bring peace to your community and the world.

We would love to hear from you! If you have questions, comments, or topics you would like Shannon and Archie to discuss in future episodes, please reach out to us. 

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In this special episode of The Real Enneagram, we are stepping away from our standard conversations to offer a deeply restorative guided meditation. Originating from the teachings of the Heartfulness Ashram in Hyderabad, India, this practice focuses on entering the spirit through the mind, body, and especially the heart.

Find a comfortable space and allow yourself to be guided through a full-body scan, drawing grounding energy from the earth all the way up to a centered, resting place within your own heart.

In this meditation, you will be guided to:

• Set aside the anxieties and cares of the workaday world.
• Scan your physical body for tension and gently release it.
• Draw in restorative, grounding energy from Mother Earth.
• Achieve a peaceful resonance and coherence between your breathing and your heartbeat.
• Settle into a 20-minute quiet meditation from a relaxed, connected condition.

(Note to listeners: For your safety, please do not listen to this guided meditation while driving or operating heavy machinery.) 

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In this episode, we delve into the tender and complex topic of grief, how the mind often struggles to comprehend the depth of grief, and the overwhelming emotions that accompany it.

We begin by examining the first stage of grief, denial, as outlined by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, and how different ego types may experience grief in varied ways. Dr. Joe shares his personal experiences with grief, particularly the loss of his two children, and emphasizes that grief is not something that can be fully healed or resolved but rather something we learn to carry with us.

The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing the soul qualities that we may have lost contact with during our grief. We discuss how these qualities can serve as a healing balm, allowing us to express our feelings and acknowledge our significance in the face of loss.

Dr. Joe recounts his journey of rediscovering his soul child through creative expression, specifically through drawing mandalas during therapy sessions. This practice not only helped him cope with his grief but also fostered a deeper connection with his clients, illustrating the unity of suffering that exists among us all.

As we reflect on the nature of grief, we acknowledge the commonality of suffering and the importance of being present for one another. We encourage our listeners to consider where in their lives their minds may be working hard to understand or manage something that instead calls for presence and compassion.

Thank you for joining us in this heartfelt discussion. We hope it resonates with those who may be navigating their own grief and loss.

To learn more about the Institute for Conscious Being, visit: theicb.info

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In this episode of The Real Enneagram, I, we explore the fascinating topic of the head center of intelligence and look into how our thoughts shape our identity and experience. We discuss the profound question of who we are beyond our thoughts, emphasizing that our true essence lies in our soul, which transcends the ego-driven narratives we often find ourselves caught in.

Dr. Joe shares insights from his paper on the head center, explaining that many people mistakenly identify with their thoughts, while in reality, we are much more than that. He introduces the concept of "soul language," which communicates through impressions rather than words, allowing for a deeper knowing that guides our actions.

Scott adds to the conversation by highlighting how our culture often prioritizes doing over being, leading us to become overly attached to our thoughts. We reflect on the importance of reconnecting with our soul child—the innocent part of ourselves that remains connected to the divine—and how this connection can help us navigate life with more grace and presence.

Throughout the episode, we share personal anecdotes and practical strategies for tapping into our soul child, such as dedicating time for reflection and using tangible reminders from our past. We also address the challenges faced by those with difficult childhoods, emphasizing the importance of seeking professional help for trauma before embarking on the journey of self-discovery.

As we conclude, we invite our listeners to engage in a reflective inquiry about where they rely on thought for safety and meaning, and what might be possible if they allowed a deeper intelligence to emerge. Thank you for joining us, and we hope you find inspiration in this exploration of the head center of intelligence.

To learn more about the Institute for Conscious Being, visit: theicb.info

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In this episode of The Real Enneagram, we delve into the heart center of intelligence within the Enneagram framework. We explore the significance of emotional intelligence, particularly how it relates to our experiences and interactions in the world.

Scott, a type five, shares his journey of reconnecting with his emotions, emphasizing the importance of feeling and accepting our feelings rather than analyzing them solely from the head. He discusses how this process began with grounding himself in his body and learning to embrace his heart's intelligence.

We also touch on the societal conditioning that often discourages us from expressing, or even feeling, our emotions, leading to a disconnect from our true feelings. Joe adds depth to our conversation by distinguishing between egoic emotional intelligence and the deeper, soul-level emotional intelligence that fosters genuine healing and connection.

As we reflect on the nature of relationships, we highlight the difference between seeking someone to complete us versus finding a partner who complements our wholeness. We emphasize the importance of nurturing love at a soul level, which allows for vulnerability and support in our relationships.

In closing, I offer a prayer for our listeners, encouraging them to remember their holy origin and to let go of the need to earn love through ego-driven strategies. We invite you to engage in self-inquiry, pondering where in your life you may still be seeking validation and what it would look like to embrace love simply as you are. Thank you for joining us today!

To learn more about the Institute for Conscious Being, visit: theicb.info