Intelligence, according to Psychologists, is what the IQ test measures: not terribly illuminating. Well, it has been this way for the longest time, at least.
But now, we see greater delineation that recognizes “flavors” of intelligence that represent the full spectrum of the human story. In effect, contemporary thought places greater emphasis on intelligence as demonstrated in actionable terms.
Daniel Goleman’s groundbreaking research produced the idea of “emotional intelligence,” or EQ. His most recent book examines the construct of “Social intelligence.” An important family of intelligences, however, not yet fully explored, constellates around what I have referred to as ” Sacred Intelligence,” or “HQ” for “Heiros Quotient,” derived from the Greek word for sacred, ιερος. An assessment system remarkably helpful in sorting out this idea in very practical and enriching ways is the Enneagram. While there are a variety of Enneagram instruments around, based on what is a quite ancient idea with roots in the Middle East and South America, I am especially interested in the light it sheds on the spiritual journey.
According to the Enneagram, there are nine personality types which, more precisely, constitute nine distinct intelligences. The goal of our lifetimes is to cultivate not just some, but all nine. While we do so with disproportionate degrees of challenge given who we are, the implicit positive message of the Enneagram is that our quest is about leveraging the strengths in our “HQ”, while bolstering our acumen in the weaker areas. Doing so serves the ultimate goal of realizing spiritual ambidexterity. This is a state of mindfulness where the spiritual virtues, celebrated in the writings of the saints, seers, mystics, and theologians of the worlds faith and contemplative traditions, can fully flourish.
Using the Enneagram as a template by which to explore the nine dimensions of HQ, my meditations yield the following set of types, associations to types, and allusions to the archetypal roots that are manifest in each.
The nine faces of sacred intelligence are:
- Morality: Themis, Divine Order & Counsel, the Balance/Libra, and the quest for clear standards for living with integrity – Ask: What is the right thing to do?
- Compassion: Divine Mother, Mary, Kuan Yin, the Bodhisattva, the Sacred Heart, caritas and the quest for authenticity in being attentive to the other – Ask: What is the state of my brothers and sisters?
- Charity: the Good Samaritan, Tolkien’s Galadrial and Arwen of the Faerie, C.S. Lewis’s Tinidril, Queen of Perelandra, and the capacity for hospitality, and generosity of spirit – Ask: How can I extend my hospitality?
- Prophesy: the Magi, Elijah and the wanderer archetype, John the Baptist, and the capacity to interpret signs in service of justice – Ask: What are the signs around me, and where do they lead?
- Contemplation: the Temple, Hermitage, Monk, Dreamer, and the capacity to enter deeply into silence – Ask: What do I need to look at more deeply and what does the voice in the silence teach?
- Devotion: the Hindu Parvati, the Immaculata, Ruth & her devotion to Naomi, Virgo, Penelope, Bacchus & Philemon, Theresa of Avila, and the capacity to be opened, vulnerable, and to give oneself- Ask: How do I draw nearer the Beloved, my G-d, the Holy Spirit, the Light of Christ?
- Spiritual Teaching: the Fisher King, Doctors of the Church, Hildegard of Bingen, Dhanvantari, Socrates, Chiron, CG Jung, and the capacity to guide spiritual learning and self-discovery – Ask: What is your koan?
- Spiritual Leadership: Daibutsu, Dalai Lama, Gandhi, Pope John, St. Francis, St. Benedict, Amun, and the capacity to mobilize spiritual vision – Ask: What is it that needs doing and how can I make a difference?
- Healing: Asclepius, Paracelsus, the Christic, Hippocrates, Padre Pio, the Physician, Bodhisattva Metteya, and the capacity to bring harmony where there is discord – Ask: By what deed or action is harmony restored?
The Enneagram is applied in many circles with always interesting results. I use it in my leadership coaching practice in different ways. Practitioners have also used it historically as an adjunct tool in the spiritual formation process in some monastic communities. It is a deep well of possibilities for stimulating meditations that help awaken the faculties that may not have yet been fully aroused. I enthusiastically commend it to you.
“Now, after lurking on the fringes of mysticism and pop psychology for more than 20 years, the Enneagram is turning mainstream and respectable. Last year the Stanford University School of Business course called “Personality, Self-Awareness and Leadership” focused on the Enneagram for the first time; the class proved so popular that it will be expanded from 40 to 50 students next winter. The CIA now uses the Enneagram to help agents understand the behavior of world leaders. The U.S. Postal Service recently turned to the Enneagram to help employees resolve conflicts. Clergy from the Vatican signed up for an Enneagram seminar last year. And last month the First international Enneagram Conference, with 1,400 participants who came to Palo Alto, Calif., from as far away as Japan, was cosponsored by Stanford Medical School’s department of psychiatry.”
Newsweek (Jean Seligmann, Sept.12, 1998)
“As a guide to human character, behavior and motivation, it has no equal. More practical than typologies derived from conventional psychology, the Enneagram provides a clear and easily recognizable map of nine distinct personality patterns. For most people, it simply rings true.”
Yoga Journal
“There is another high profile system today [in addition to the MBTI]. The origin of the nine-sided diagram on which it is based is mysterious…. The first to apply the Enneagram to the human personality was the Bolivian Oscar Ischazo, founder of Arica training, a pioneering method of human development that first flourished in the 1960s…. The nine types are just the beginning with the Enneagram; the heart of the system is the way the various types relate to each other, connected as they are on the nine-sided diagram.”
Utne Reader (Jon Spayde, May-June, 2004)
© Brother Anton and The Harried Mystic, 2009. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.
The Harried Mystic 
COMPREHENSIVE VIEW OF SCIENCE OF RELIGION (THEOLOGY)
A Scientific Understanding of Meditation and Yoga
In Bhagavad-Gita Lord SriKrishna says to Arjun:
“I taught this immortal Yoga to Vivasvan (sun-god), Vivasvan conveyed it to Manu(his son), and Manu imparted it to (his son) Iksvaku. Thus transmitted to succession from father to son, Arjun, this Yoga remained known to the Rajarisis (royal sages). It has however long since disappeared from this earth. The same ancient Yoga has this day been imparted to you by Me, because you are My devotee and friend, and also because this is a supreme secret”.
Yoga (Application) which was based on the control of the body physically and implied that a perfect control over the body and the senses led to knowledge of the ultimate reality. A detailed anatomical knowledge of the human body was necessary to the advancement of yoga and therefore those practising yoga had to keep in touch with medical knowledge. (Romila Thapar, A History of India, volume one).
I suggest : Mind and brain are two distinct things. Brain is anatomical entity whereas mind is functional entity. Mind can be defined as the function of autonomic nervous system (ANS). It is claimed that mind can be brought under conscious control through the practice of meditation. But how? ANS is largely under hypothalamic control which is situated very close to optic chiasma (sixth chakra or ajna chakra). Protracted practice of concentration to meditate at this region brings functions of ANS say mind under one’s conscious control.
Deepak Chopra has given a formula of spiritual quotient in terms of Deed (D) and Ego (E). According to Deepak Chopra S.Q.=D/E. According to him if E is ‘zero’ the S.Q. will be infinite. This appears to be very fascinating but it is highly abstract which can not be measured experimentally accurately and precisely. However, this formula has immense value to understand S.Q.
I have also discovered a mathematical relationship for S.Q about eight years back in 2001. I have used physiological parameters which can be measured accurately and precisely and can be tested and verified experimentally. According to this formula S.Q. can be expressed as the ratio of parasympathetic dominance (P.D.) to sympathetic dominance (S.D.). Parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) are the two parts of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which is largely under hypothalamic control. Hypothalamus is situated very close to the Sixth Chakra. During practice of meditation at Sixth Chakra these centres are galvanized which has very positive effect on practitioners spiritual, emotional, psychological and physical well being.
According to this relationship spiritual quotient can be written as:
S.Q. = P.D./S.D.
If the value of S.Q. comes >1 (greater than one), it can be assumed that the person is moving towards self-realisation and if the value of S.Q. comes <1 (smaller than one) it can be predicted that the person is living under stress.
This formula can be tested and verified experimentally.
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The way I see it, the point of the Enneagram is not to develop the beliefs or behaviors of the other nine types. That’s a surface level use for a profoundly transformational system. The Enneagram is an amazingly precise tool for deep self exploration and spiritual transformation. It bridges the gap between shadow work (psychology) and light work (spiritual growth) like no other system around.
It has the power to disrupt the ego long enough for divine intervention to slip into the system, and heal some of the inherent sense of separation we suffer from as humans.
The healing process typically results in disorientation, heightened emotion, tears, anger, even depression, followed by a deeper sense of peace, connection, and inner calm.
It’s not the Enneagram can’t be used to add something to you, to explore new ways of behaving… it’s just not the deepest, most transformational application of a tool I hold in very high regard.
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Thank you for your thoughtful reply Ben. I share your affection for what is indeed a profound transformational system. I’ve used it now for several decades and it has many layers.
For purposes of spiritual formation, it is without equal, and one can return to it often.The insights and reflection it affords stretch over a life-time. Your reference to the value it brings as a bridge between shadow and light work is spot on. Taken in this direction, however, it is a system best guided by another well versed in it, and experienced in spiritual direction.
My post examined the uses to which the system can be practically put as a part of private, unguided reflection. It is precisely because of its comprehensiveness and capacity to throw light on nuances of persons that it can be used in the manner I describe: to examine the degree to which we have cultivated each of the nine “intelligences.” Particularly provocative are the “lower scoring” types in our profile. In my experience, while our dominant type always remains, those relatively under-developed faculties invite us to ask about how we might deepen and broaden our consciousness as regards sensitivities demonstrated by those who are dominant in ways we are not. I am certainly not suggesting merely taking on the “beliefs or behaviors” of those types but rather looking into the Enneagramatic looking glass as a way to heighten the depth of our mindful experience.
Thanks for stopping by and offering your perspectives.
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