An Enneagram Meditation

As you prepare for this meditation, make sure you are seated comfortably in a position you can maintain for several minutes. Make sure that you are free from audible and visual distractions as much as possible. Make sure you are in a location where you feel safe closing your eyes or gazing downward while drawing your focus inward.

This meditation will help invite your whole self into the space...the parts you are the most familiar with and the parts you are the least familiar with....head, heart, and body. Every part matters and contributes to our experience. Every part helps to create the experiences you desire.

When we attempt to ignore to separate away any of these parts, we prevent ourselves from experiencing the fullness and beauty of life.

The Enneagram helps us honor ourselves as we are and see how an integrated system of the head, heart, and body enhances our experience. Let's start by honoring your thoughts.

Draw your attention to your thoughts... invite them to release some control and be open to something new.

Give your thoughts a shape and then a color. Imagine placing that shape inside a jar and carefully closing the jar; a safe place for those thoughts to exist when they are not in control. Imagine placing that jar on a shelf for safe-keeping, ready to assist whenever you want them.

Choose a thought that supports you and your efforts today, worded with the kindness of a friend.

Draw your attention to your heart and the emotions originating there. What are your feelings right now? Take a deep breath and accept them into the space non-judgementally. What does that feel like?

Notice the sensations the emotions have created in your body. Inhale slowly and send your breath to those areas of your body. Be curious about any movement your breath brings to those areas. While recognizing these sensations, also notice that your thoughts can now allow those feelings to be present without judgment or meaning-making.

Now draw your attention to your body. Notice where it is in your seat and in the room. If there is any discomfort, send your breath there. Notice how your body can hold any sensation your emotions create. Notice that your body does not believe everything you think. Watch for any sense of wisdom your body holds. Recognize how your thoughts, emotions, and body work together to create an experience. What is your experience now?

In whatever way feels right to you, invite your whole self to be present right now, in whatever way it is, knowing you are whole - exactly as you are. You have everything you need to be fully present and fully alive. When one area is stronger, the other areas can rise to meet it when encouraged. As you breathe in, offer yourself encouragement to be present in the space as you are and as you aspire to be. Know that you can be anything you aspire to be.

As you are ready, bring your awareness back to your feet, then your seat, and finally the room. Return slowly to your visual awareness, breathing out a fresh head, heart, and body connection.