Exploring
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- Looking for a way to expand your community of friends who talk type, character, development, arts and literature?
- Want to go behind and beyond the map of the Enneagram to explore the universal themes accessible and applicable to us all?
- Interested in expanding your experience of literature, film and friends?
- Membership in this program is for you! 36 students in 4 monthly groups join in a curriculum community all year.
The Enneagram is a map to universal inner and outer territories. While we often gravitate to certain regions, we visit them all daily throughout our lives. Join this program to find and experience where the map is leading you; all through an exploration of amazing characters and meaningful themes in great film and literature. This is a course on The Humanities, using the Enneagram as its foundation and direction.
Deep learning and change happens over time and in continuous community.
We hope you'll join for this and other benefits:
- Attendance at the Fall Panels Workshop
- Participation in a 9-member 9-session Monthly Literature and Film Group
- One-to-one coffees/dinners at your convenience with a different classmate each month
- Attendance at the Spring Retreat & Reflection Day
- Membership in a community with friends who talk type and have meaningful conversation on life, literature, film, arche/types and more
- A discounted rate for any individual mentoring and direction sessions with Dale Rhodes, because sometimes Enneagram work starts a new chapter in exploring personal growth and spiritual development.
1. Fall Panels Workshop
We begin our exploration in a daylong workshop that will use facilitated panels and group discussions on
- The Instincts: Self-Preservation, Sexual/1-1, and Social
- The Triads: Mental Planning Types 5-6-7, Emotional Relating Types 2-3-4, and Kinesthetic Power/Control Types 8-9-1
There is no better teaching than to experience local community members speaking from their own points of view. Lunch included. A really fun and educational way to begin the school year!
2. Literature and Film Group
Now in its fourth year , this program explores writings on the Nine Points of View, along with a novel or film each month. These are small group explorations of the Nine Types in Depth, using specific literature and film to enhance our experience and enjoyment. The book or movie may offer a character who generally exemplifies an Enneagram Type, or it may explore themes that relate to an Enneagram Type's area of attention, motivations and life themes, vice to virtue conversion, or paths to disintegration and development. Because we have all points of view available to us, most participants each month have found something relevant, moving and meaningful to address in their own lives. The map of the Enneagram and good art provides the entry to examining deeper issues.
All members commit to the full 9 month group process October thru June. Each month on your own, you will review a type chapter in an Enneagram text of your choice, along with handouts on a specific type; and read the chosen book and/or view the chosen film. Many students choose to gather to have dinner and watch the film together.
You also commit to meeting with a different member over coffee/tea each month at a time of your choosing in order to further explore content, reflections and responses to the class sessions. This is a great interdisciplinary way to expand your understanding of the Nine Points of View in your own life. And it is a way to explore personality and quality artistic content with people from different points of view. Most students say that this ends up being the most meaningful part of the year's experience.
At group sessions, Dale Rhodes will provide a short teaching on the type of the month; including music, poetry, video clips of the nine types along with written resources on the instincts, wings, connecting points, etc. We have a no-cross-talk hour for sharing reflections, take a short break, and afterwards move into open lively dialogue. Plenty of time for reflections, reactions, questions and deeper delving amongst the participants. All book groups occur at Enneagram Portland Penthouse, 1220 SW Morrison Suite #1305
3. Spring Retreat Reflection Day
A return to the full community of Literature and Film Group Members only.
Self-reflection, connections, panels exploring new insights, celebration lunch included.
The 2019 - 2020 Curriculum: Everybody Reads...
The Mental Planning Types
Mental Planning Types Are Often Seeking the Answer To: "How Do We Make Sense of Life?"
This year we find it through...
October 2019: Type 6 The Loyal Skeptic: Loyalty, Faith and the Strong Loving Family
Peace Like A River: Leif Enger, Novel
November 2019: Type 5 The Observer: Understanding, Cosmology and Omniscience
Journey of the Universe: Brian Swimme and Mary Evelyn Tucker, Book or Film
December 2019: Type 7 The Epicure: Freedom from Restrictions
Driving Over Lemons: An Optimist In Spain: Chris Stewart, Memoir
Mental Planning Types Are Often Seeking the Answer To: "How Do We Make Sense of Life?"
This year we find it through...
- A novel that brings us on Adventures in the West, showing us where loyalties are (Type 6)
- A novel/film that brings us on Adventures In the Cosmos, finding our place in that big story (Type 5)
- A novel that brings us on Adventures in Europe, asserting we have freedom and agency (Type 7)
October 2019: Type 6 The Loyal Skeptic: Loyalty, Faith and the Strong Loving Family
Peace Like A River: Leif Enger, Novel
November 2019: Type 5 The Observer: Understanding, Cosmology and Omniscience
Journey of the Universe: Brian Swimme and Mary Evelyn Tucker, Book or Film
December 2019: Type 7 The Epicure: Freedom from Restrictions
Driving Over Lemons: An Optimist In Spain: Chris Stewart, Memoir
The Emotional Relating Types
Emotional Relating Types Are Often Seeking the Answer To: "How Do We Connect?"
This year we find it through...
January 2020: Type 3 The Model Performer: We’ll Make It Together
The Pursuit of Happyness: Chris Gardner, Autobiography or Film
February 2020: Type 4 The Romantic: Uniqueness and Being Yourself
Lady Bird: Greta Gerwig, Film
Blue Jasmine: Woody Allen, Film
March 2020: Type 2 The Connector: Service, Human Love and Humility
The Last Temptation of Christ: Nicos Kazantzakis, Book (Recommended) or Film
Emotional Relating Types Are Often Seeking the Answer To: "How Do We Connect?"
This year we find it through...
- A novel/film highlighting the importance of Strengthening Work and Family Bonds (Type 3)
- Two films that show the gifts and dangers of Creating Our Unique Identities (Type 4)
- A novel/film exploring the effects of Affirming Our Love for One Another (Type 2)
January 2020: Type 3 The Model Performer: We’ll Make It Together
The Pursuit of Happyness: Chris Gardner, Autobiography or Film
February 2020: Type 4 The Romantic: Uniqueness and Being Yourself
Lady Bird: Greta Gerwig, Film
Blue Jasmine: Woody Allen, Film
March 2020: Type 2 The Connector: Service, Human Love and Humility
The Last Temptation of Christ: Nicos Kazantzakis, Book (Recommended) or Film
** Zoom Classroom Links will be provided to you in early April.
It's easy online or phone, no worries! Watch for emails in early April. **
The Kinesthetic Instinctual Types
Kinesthetic Action Types Are Often Seeking the Answer To: "What Really Matters?"
This year we find it through...
April 2020: Type 8 The Protector: Fighting for Justice and Remembering the Vulnerable
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: Martin McDonagh, Film
May 2020: Type 1 The Idealist: The Limits of Acting On Principle
The Remains of the Day: Kazuo Ishiguro, Novel (Recommended) or Film
June 2020: Type 9 The Peacemaker/Mediator: Wake Up to the Universal Again and Again
The Death of Vishnu: Manil Suri, Novel
It's easy online or phone, no worries! Watch for emails in early April. **
The Kinesthetic Instinctual Types
Kinesthetic Action Types Are Often Seeking the Answer To: "What Really Matters?"
This year we find it through...
- A film that says Grief, Protecting the Vulnerable and Justice Matter (Type 8)
- A novel/film that shows the limits of when only Principles Matter (Type 1)
- A novel exploring that You Matter; walking through Islam, Hinduism, Universal Compassion, and Finding Ourselves in The Universal Cycle of Life (Type 9)
April 2020: Type 8 The Protector: Fighting for Justice and Remembering the Vulnerable
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: Martin McDonagh, Film
May 2020: Type 1 The Idealist: The Limits of Acting On Principle
The Remains of the Day: Kazuo Ishiguro, Novel (Recommended) or Film
June 2020: Type 9 The Peacemaker/Mediator: Wake Up to the Universal Again and Again
The Death of Vishnu: Manil Suri, Novel
* All * selections are available for free via book/audiobook/downloads/discs thru Multnomah County Library (MCL) and other library systems.
I have made it easy for you to click on the title links above to go to MCL and learn about these titles directly. You will also easily find these resources elsewhere.
Books are always recommended as the primary resource for class, with exception for selections that are only film. Students may use whatever medium keeps them engaged in the class. No one should purposely miss class for not having completed the book or the movie; your presence, listening and especially curiosity are always welcome!
This course assumes general familiarity with the Enneagram system, through experience or reading a type's chapter each month. Class time will be more focused on how the literature/film relates to us all, not just to the type of the month. Students should have one Enneagram text to refer to before reading the selection of the month. Recommended:
Jerome Wagner's
Nine Lenses on the World: The Enneagram Perspective
William Schafer's
Roaming Free Inside the Cage: A Daoist Approach to the Enneagram and Spiritual Transformation
$150 Registration Deposit to be a Member September 2019 - June 2020
a. Monthly Payment Plan:
$150 to save your space (check/charge) then
$ 70 per month October - June (via monthly autopay checks)
b. Quarterly Payment Plan:
$150 to save your space (check/charge) then
$200 November Session, $200 January Session, $200 March Session
c. One Payment Plan for first-timers:
$150 to save your space (check/charge) then
$550 one time payment (check preferred/charge) by October 1
d. Discount for students from past Lit-Film/Studio-E/Depth:
$150 to save your space (check preferred/charge) then
$500 (2018 rate) one time payment (check preferred/charge) by October 1
I have made it easy for you to click on the title links above to go to MCL and learn about these titles directly. You will also easily find these resources elsewhere.
Books are always recommended as the primary resource for class, with exception for selections that are only film. Students may use whatever medium keeps them engaged in the class. No one should purposely miss class for not having completed the book or the movie; your presence, listening and especially curiosity are always welcome!
This course assumes general familiarity with the Enneagram system, through experience or reading a type's chapter each month. Class time will be more focused on how the literature/film relates to us all, not just to the type of the month. Students should have one Enneagram text to refer to before reading the selection of the month. Recommended:
Jerome Wagner's
Nine Lenses on the World: The Enneagram Perspective
William Schafer's
Roaming Free Inside the Cage: A Daoist Approach to the Enneagram and Spiritual Transformation
$150 Registration Deposit to be a Member September 2019 - June 2020
- Attendance and lunch at the Fall Panels Workshop
- Membership in one of the 9-session book/film groups
- Attendance and lunch at the members-only Spring Retreat Day
a. Monthly Payment Plan:
$150 to save your space (check/charge) then
$ 70 per month October - June (via monthly autopay checks)
b. Quarterly Payment Plan:
$150 to save your space (check/charge) then
$200 November Session, $200 January Session, $200 March Session
c. One Payment Plan for first-timers:
$150 to save your space (check/charge) then
$550 one time payment (check preferred/charge) by October 1
d. Discount for students from past Lit-Film/Studio-E/Depth:
$150 to save your space (check preferred/charge) then
$500 (2018 rate) one time payment (check preferred/charge) by October 1
- Your seat is saved for you, literally! There is room for 50 at Mt. Hood Room and 10 at Enneagram Portland.
- Membership officially closes in September; so unless there is a waitlist and someone takes your spot, there are no refunds.
- Do the math: this yearlong program is tailor-made for you for at only $20/hr. Sitting alone with a 20 oz latte and cold sandwich can cost you as much. Move beyond the online tests and daily email marketings, skip the expensive out of town conferences, and join your local community of friends who talk type and the arts! Every Enneagram Portlander who has joined has had a rich experience with these groups for the last three years.

"It was over a decade ago that I first discovered the gift of the Enneagram. Since then I have attended a few additional workshops and evening events that Dale has offered and always found them engaging and insightful. As both a pastor and a psychiatric RN, I have made use of the Enneagram in helping me understand both the people I serve and, more importantly, why I respond to them as I do. Most recently I took Dale's 9 Types in Literature and Film. This was an excellent means by which to engage with the Enneagram in a new light and was especially helpful in that it allowed those with deep experience and those fairly new to the study a common platform through which to engage. Dale's management of both the literary material and various viewpoints of the participants was masterful. I would certainly encourage any who have a passion for reading and an interest in knowing themselves and their loved ones to take this program."
Tim Winslea
Elizabeth Winslea also takes the class and will tell you about it too.
She's the 7 who first gave Dale a copy of Driving Over Lemons!
Tim Winslea
Elizabeth Winslea also takes the class and will tell you about it too.
She's the 7 who first gave Dale a copy of Driving Over Lemons!
After participating in Dale’s Deepening Group and Studio E (both fantastic!), I thought I would take a break from Enneagram studies; but then Dale offered his first Enneagram & Literature class. How could I not say “Yes!” to wrapping my two favorite subjects together in one package? And I am so glad I did—looking at the Nine Types through characters in literature enriched me with profound insights from other class members and drew me into personal reflection. |
Greetings Dale!
Thank you for the months of fun in the Lit and Film Group! Though some of the books were not ones I would have chosen on my own, all were interesting to see and discuss through the lens of the Enneagram and the eyes of other group members. I loved the months-long journey we took together, during which most of us shared more and more in this safe space--- at the top of the world. It has been very enlightening to sit with people so different from myself and hear how differently they saw these characters! These are not the sorts of conversations we find during a casual dinner during which Enneagram is mentioned. My FAVORITE part was making new friends - some really great ones, too - among the members of the group. Thank you for all you do and for continuing to teach the Enneagram in so many different ways. See you in Group, Di The class combines the joy of self-discovery and expanding one's capacity for empathy with great literature and live action performances. Plus you get to hang out with really cool people.
- Maren Symonds Great way to explore the enneagram at more depth, and see it at work in the world beyond your own personality! - Carol Ferris If someone wants to enter a community and dive deeply into the Enneagram, this is a great opportunity to be with a masterful teacher and a like minded explorative group of people. - Gail Webb |