One Sentence Summary
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery is a practical and spiritual guide to understanding your personality, motivations and passions through the lens of the ancient Enneagram personality model.
Book Genre
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery takes the form of a self-help and practical guide to understanding more about your personality and character.
Main Topic of the Book
The main topic of the book is the Enneagram personality model, and how it can be used as a tool for gaining greater self-discovery, personal growth, and spiritual enlightenment.
Key Ideas
- Understanding the Enneagram: The book provides a detailed guide to the Enneagram personality profile and its potential for positive transformation.
- Self-knowledge: Through exploring the Enneagram model, readers can gain greater insight into their motivations and passions, while better understanding their psychological and spiritual aspects.
- Contemplation: In order to work in depth with the Enneagram model, Cron and Stabile encourage readers to take a contemplative approach that includes reflecting on the personal stories of their own lives.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
- Part 1: Discovering the Keys: This part introduces the Enneagram and explores the nine basic personality types it describes (Type 1: The Perfectionist; Type 2: The Helper; Type 3: The Achiever; Type 4: The Individualist; Type 5: The Investigator; Type 6: The Loyalist; Type 7: The Enthusiast; Type 8: The Challenger; Type 9: The Peacemaker).
- Part 2: Navigating the Path: This part provides practical guidance to work with the Enneagram in order to gain greater understanding of one’s strengths and weaknesses, helping readers to develop healthier ways of relating both to themselves and others.
- Part 3: Living With the Mystery: The final part investigates the spiritual purpose of the Enneagram and outlines how it can be used to practice self-compassion and facilitate growth of one’s authentic self.
Key Takeaways
- Crucial tools for self-discovery: The Enneagram provides an ancient but highly relevant psychological model for self-discovery and personal development.
- Clearer view of self and others: By exploring the different facets of the Enneagram model, readers gain greater insight into their personal motivations and passions, while also understanding the motivations and behavior of others.
- Spiritual purpose of the Enneagram: The Enneagram can be used as a tool for spiritual growth and self-discovery, leading to greater self-acceptance and compassion.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Ian Morgan Cron is a psychotherapist and popular speaker in the areas of spiritual formation, relationships, and emotional health. He has written several books that promote personal and spiritual transformation, and is a regular faculty member at conferences hosted by The Renovare Institute. He is ordained in the Episcopal Church and holds an MA in Christian Education from Fuller Seminary and an MA in Theology from Sewanee: The University of South of Tennessee.
Target Audience
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery is likely of most interest to readers who seek to gain greater understanding and self-awareness, as well as those interested in spiritual growth and transformation.
Publisher and First Publication Date
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery was first published in October 2016 by InterVarsity Press.