At Closer Than Breath, we believe the Enneagram is more than a personality map, it’s a path of presence and transformation. Few voices have shaped this understanding more deeply than Russ Hudson, one of the foremost Enneagram teachers of our time. In this two-part conversation, Russ shares how contemplation and the Enneagram weave together, why their ancient roots matter, and how we can practice in ways that open us to grace.
This first part explores the intimate relationship between the Enneagram and the contemplative path, offering insights and practical guidance for those seeking to deepen their journey.
How do contemplation and the Enneagram weave together?
Russ Hudson: If all we’re doing is describing our personalities, it’s not the optimal use of the Enneagram, and it’s certainly not its original use.
Even before I encountered the Enneagram of Typology, having immersed myself in the Gurdjieff Work for many years and practiced various contemplative exercises, I earned a degree from Columbia University in East Asian Studies. I focused on Buddhist tradition, particularly how it developed in Japan. So, I was very much interested in Eastern contemplative practices as well. I’ve sat zazen in Japan and done other meditation practices, both eastern and western.
We learn certain unconscious tendencies that can make our practice stale. We can discover how we tend to get habitual about it, and lose the sense of the living presence we’re seeking to connect with. I can’t really conceive of the Enneagram being particularly useful without some kind of practice for coming back to ourselves, simply because the Types don’t tell us who we are. They tell us a kind of form that our consciousness has taken, which is important to know, but it isn’t our true identity.
What are some tips about using the Enneagram for the contemplative path?
Russ Hudson: Practically speaking, the Enneagram, at its best, tells us helpful ways of directing our attention, or I might say, redirecting our attention. It talks about three fundamental forms of intelligence that all human beings have, which are usually used to keep our ego story and self-concepts running. But when we are present with these intelligences, it really helps us deepen our contemplative practice.
The Enneagram is part of rich, sacred traditions. It’s not something that somebody just cooked up a few decades ago. It’s inherently part of sacred traditions. As such, the teachings behind the Enneagram tell us about the importance of the belly center. We learn that bringing our attention into the body, into sensation, into an awareness of the belly has an effect of grounding us and giving us space from our turning thoughts and our emotional reactions.
“The problem is not getting out of our head; it’s getting into our right mind.”
Second, we bring in the heart, which means learning to be kinder to ourselves, to be merciful, to be aware of how sensitive and tender we are, but also how bold and courageous we can be in exploring what we are beyond our usual self-concepts.
Then thirdly, we learn how the deeper qualities of mind come into our practice. When we’re not present in our body and heart, our mind just keeps turning thoughts and images–we end up talking to ourselves. Without presence, it’s like a three-ring circus in there. That’s a problem, but you don’t solve it by trying to cancel your mind. You solve that problem by getting more present in the body and heart. Then the mind can switch over to its correct function, which is receptivity, listening, inner silence, lucidity, and attention.
So, we learn to practice and get a feeling of what it’s like to be present in these different centers, and we start to understand how our Enneagram Type structure will keep taking us out of presence.
For example, I’m an Enneagram Five, and as soon as I’m starting to have some new insight or experience, I’m suddenly mentally trying to fit it in with other things I know, or think of how I might talk about it or teach about it. I start running an intellectual commentary on the experience rather than just staying open to what the experience might bring me next.
When we learn about these basic tendencies prevalent in our Enneagram type, there are many practical tips that can help the flow of our practice, even as we may be directing or collecting our attention in certain ways.
Russ reminds us that the Enneagram is not merely a personality typing system, but a sacred doorway into deeper presence. When paired with contemplative practice, it becomes a living compass that continually redirects us back to body, heart, and mind in their true functions.
In Part Two of our conversation, Russ shares about the history of the Enneagram, why he emphasizes contemplation, and the resources he offers for those who want to walk this path more deeply.
Really good perspective. I appreciate how he brought all 3 centers together and explained their true functions.
Indeed, Nancy. Appreciate your insight as it highlights what is critical for all of us regardless of what Number we lead with! >>> Be sure to notice Part 2 of this Interview as well 😉 >>> The Journey with Russ continues here >>> https://closerthanbreath.com/part-two-the-enneagram-and-the-contemplative-path-an-interview-with-russ-hudson/
“Practically speaking, the Enneagram, at its best, tells us helpful ways of directing our attention, or I might say, redirecting our attention.”
I love this, and I so appreciate how Russ (and you, Logan) have made it clear that our type is really our constructed self (false self). And that learning our type is really just the starting point in breaking out of that constructed self and becoming our whole selves, onevwith the Divine.
“The problem is not getting out of our head; it’s getting into our right mind.”
And I love this quote. It sounds like what he’s saying is that in order to get into our right mind, we have to get right with our body and right with our heart. Only then can we get right with our mind. If I don’t connect with my body and my heart, my mind just contines to engage in mindless distractions.
Also…
“And the mind’s correct function is receptivity, listening, inner silence, lucidity, and attention.” That is pure gold. I never ever thought of this. This feels so true and so right.
Very grateful for this conversation. I will get to Part 2, but need to chew on Part 1 a bit more.
Thank you, Logan!