“When we understand ourselves and make our core strength stronger, we can move ahead and work on the weaknesses,” says Vijay Bhat and adds “We can surely be more effective if we understand others and their core motivation,” he stated and began explaining all the personality types asking the participants to note down their understanding.

The nine types of personalities are :

• Reformer
• Mentor
• Achiever
• The Designer
• Investigator
• Troubleshooter
• Enthusiast
• Challenger
• Peacemaker

There is usually one primary type, with secondary traits from other types. To understand others and ourselves, we must read the descriptions carefully and do some observation. Similarly, even in our relationships, recognising the types of others can really help us deal with their needs. For instance, as parents or teachers, one can play a great role if we allow the child to be his own self. The whole point of the Enneagram is to help us to become better observers of others and our own self so that we can be free of old, self-destructive patterns.

It works wonderfully, deepening our own understanding and that of the world.

A participant in the workshop help earlier said, “'We have to switch off the fan and AC. Don’t you remember that it is Earth Day,' my husband said, and began doing just that. He knew I was extremely tired and simply did not want to switch off the fans or AC on the hot, stuffy day. In his usual style, he just went ahead. Earlier, this may have resulted in a lot of heartache and anger, but understanding him as a type one made it much easier for me, a type two, to see it in the right perspective. I joined him and the hour passed away quickly and easily.”

Come, let us seek to understand us and the others better and live a more enlightened life.