Four Foundations of Mindfulness and the Enneagram
Thank you for your interest in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness and the Enneagram.
Here are the practices for each of the types:
Body Centered Practices
When I am in my body, I feel...
8 – strong
9 – peaceful
1 – “all is right with the world”
Meditations
8 – Softening: Visualize softening and relaxing the body and mind, especially areas of tension, fostering gentleness and receptivity
9 – Grounding: Use grounding techniques (e.g., feeling the earth beneath you) to cultivate a strong sense of presence and vitality.
1 – Loving kindness: Repeat phrases like "May I be kind to myself," "May I accept myself as I am," to foster a sense of inner balance
Heart Centered Practices
When I am in my feelings, I feel
2 – love and compassion for all
3 – competent and efficient
4 – in my essence without trying to be unique
Meditations
2 – Self-compassion: Reflect on personal needs and offer compassion to oneself, recognizing the importance of self-care.
3 – Mindful Breathing: Concentrate on the breath to cultivate presence, reducing the drive for constant productivity and success.
4 – Gratitude: Reflect on things you're grateful for, shifting attention from perceived deficiencies to abundance
Head Centered Practices
When I am in my head, I feel
5 – content
6 – lost in thought
7 – what can I do next to have fun
Meditations
5 - Body Scan: Systematically bring awareness to different parts of the body, fostering a sense of embodiment.
6 – Anchor: Use a mental or physical anchor (e.g., breath, a mantra) to build a sense of inner stability and calm.
7 – Feelings: Observe and name emotions as they arise, allowing them to pass without needing to escape or distract.
Enneagram Instrument and Slides
If you would like to take the original Enneagram Instrument developed by my teacher, Helen Palmer, which has been on the web since 1994, go here.
If you would like to view the pdf of the presentation on Correlating the Four Foundations of Mindfulness with the Enneagram, download here.
