English Contents Unraveling Personality Structures

Using the Enneagram diagram introduced to Western society by G.I. Gurdjieff, Oscar Ichazo, a mystic born in Bolivia, classified human personality structures into nine types.

Oscar Ichazo and the Origin of the Enneagon
Ichazo did not call it the "Enneagram" but rather the "Enneagon." Through his method of "protoanalysis," he explored personality structures connected to spirituality through four aspects: "passion," "fixation," "virtue," and "holy idea."

The Arica Institute and Ichazo's Training
At the Arica Institute in Chile, Ichazo began teaching people about his groundbreaking system, which seems to have involved training that led to transformation of consciousness.

Claudio Naranjo's Encounter with Ichazo
Claudio Naranjo, a psychologist and psychiatrist, participated in Ichazo’s training not only for academic reasons but also while grappling with personal existential issues that led to a spiritual crisis.

The Spiritual Perspective of Transformation
What may appear as chance encounters, from a spiritual perspective, transcend the flow of time and become necessary paths toward self-transformation, which arises from within.

Naranjo’s Role in Bringing the Enneagram to North America
Naranjo brought the Enneagram teachings to North America, organizing study groups where he structured Ichazo’s ideas using psychological terminology.

The Rapid Spread of the Enneagram in the 1970s
In the 1970s, the Enneagram spread rapidly in the U.S., becoming popular for personal self-exploration and business applications such as leadership development and customer relations.

Jesuit Influence and Christian Interpretation
Among Naranjo’s students were Jesuit priests who integrated the Enneagram into Christian practices, interpreting it through faith-based perspectives.

Don Richard Riso and the Enneagram Institute
Don Richard Riso, a former Jesuit and founder of the Enneagram Institute, sought to organize the Enneagram beyond religion, working with Russ Hudson to disseminate it globally.

Global Influence and Legacy of the Enneagram
Riso and Hudson's teachings reached students worldwide, including in Japan and China. The Enneagram gained popularity in Japan during the 1990s, focusing primarily on its theory of personality types.