Shining Light on Enneagram Shadow Themes
Exploring The Shadow Sides of the 9 Types in Literature & Film
A Study Group: Online In-Real-Time Community
Thursdays 10a-Noon Pacific with 9 participants meeting generally every 3 weeks. Mark the dates.
2026: Oct 8/22, Nov 12, Dec 3/17 & 2027: Jan 7/28, Feb 18, Mar 11, April 1 (3 seats left)
A Study Group: Online In-Real-Time Community
Thursdays 10a-Noon Pacific with 9 participants meeting generally every 3 weeks. Mark the dates.
2026: Oct 8/22, Nov 12, Dec 3/17 & 2027: Jan 7/28, Feb 18, Mar 11, April 1 (3 seats left)
This is a continuing study group using a new collection of books and films. There are openings for new students and continuing students so *all* are encouraged to register as soon as possible.
This program is open to all types and student levels. This is a small group exploration on the types in depth and on shadow content, using specific literature/film characters and themes to enhance our understanding of ourselves and others. We may focus on how these types manifest the avoidance of needs and the control of provisions (2/5/8), expose an insistence on romantic idealism (1/4/7), and exemplify amplified needs for attention, predictability and control (3/6/9); and we will explore the over reliance on primary defense mechanisms.
The chosen movie/novel/play offers themes and a character who generally exemplifies values important to the type of the month, so we may better understand the type's areas of attention, motivations and life themes, vice to virtue shifts, or paths to disintegration and challenges to wholeness. Given that we are so often more than we can see in ourselves, a look into blindspots, difficulties we pose for others and ourselves, it's worthwhile exploring the other sides of ourselves through a view into all the types. We might unearth some gold from the unowned content of our ways of being.
We ask deeper questions on meaning always found in well-crafted films. As we have all points of view relating with (and available to) us, most participants find something relevant, moving and meaningful to examine in their own lives. It's also just great fun to explore character, in general!
Discover universal themes accessible and applicable to us all on the human journey. Get deeper understanding into yourself, the other types, and how you relate to their ways of being--- adaptive or maladaptive. Expand your community of friends who talk type, character development and the arts. Every session you will find something worthwhile!
The chosen movie/novel/play offers themes and a character who generally exemplifies values important to the type of the month, so we may better understand the type's areas of attention, motivations and life themes, vice to virtue shifts, or paths to disintegration and challenges to wholeness. Given that we are so often more than we can see in ourselves, a look into blindspots, difficulties we pose for others and ourselves, it's worthwhile exploring the other sides of ourselves through a view into all the types. We might unearth some gold from the unowned content of our ways of being.
We ask deeper questions on meaning always found in well-crafted films. As we have all points of view relating with (and available to) us, most participants find something relevant, moving and meaningful to examine in their own lives. It's also just great fun to explore character, in general!
Discover universal themes accessible and applicable to us all on the human journey. Get deeper understanding into yourself, the other types, and how you relate to their ways of being--- adaptive or maladaptive. Expand your community of friends who talk type, character development and the arts. Every session you will find something worthwhile!
At our first session, we have extended introductions and an exploration of shadow-theory amongst the types. We will also create the course calendar of books/films from this list below.
Type 1: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
(Reaction Formation, Repression, Unattainable Idealism, Rigidity/Loss) -- read the short novel or watch film
Types 4 & 5: The Dark Wizard
(Introjection, Romantic Inner Realities, Persecution) -- watch short series, hold on tight
Type 7: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
(Sublimation and Rationalization, Addiction to Next, Fear of Restriction) -- read play/watch film
Type 2: Kiss of the Spider Woman by Manuel Puig
(Repression of Need, Pride, Flattery, Histrionics) -- read novel or watch film
Types 4 & 5: What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller
(Isolation, Stinge, Compartmentalization) -- read novel or watch film, hold on tight and practice the words "Oh no, she didn't!"
Type 8: Whiplash
(Anti-Social, Excessive Force, Repressed/Projected Vulnerabilities) -- watch film
Type 3: Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start Up by John Carreyrou
(Deceit, Addiction to Success) -- The Inventor: Out for Blood & The Dropout--- read book, watch HBO documentary or watch Hulu drama
Type 6: Flirting with Disaster
(Projection, Are You My Mother?) -- watch the film, go ahead and laugh it's really funny
Type 9: The Worst Person in the World
(Control through Pacing; Unowned Rage; Avoidance of Individuation/Will) --- one of the NYT Best 100 Films, convince me
Type 1: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
(Reaction Formation, Repression, Unattainable Idealism, Rigidity/Loss) -- read the short novel or watch film
Types 4 & 5: The Dark Wizard
(Introjection, Romantic Inner Realities, Persecution) -- watch short series, hold on tight
Type 7: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
(Sublimation and Rationalization, Addiction to Next, Fear of Restriction) -- read play/watch film
Type 2: Kiss of the Spider Woman by Manuel Puig
(Repression of Need, Pride, Flattery, Histrionics) -- read novel or watch film
Types 4 & 5: What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller
(Isolation, Stinge, Compartmentalization) -- read novel or watch film, hold on tight and practice the words "Oh no, she didn't!"
Type 8: Whiplash
(Anti-Social, Excessive Force, Repressed/Projected Vulnerabilities) -- watch film
Type 3: Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start Up by John Carreyrou
(Deceit, Addiction to Success) -- The Inventor: Out for Blood & The Dropout--- read book, watch HBO documentary or watch Hulu drama
Type 6: Flirting with Disaster
(Projection, Are You My Mother?) -- watch the film, go ahead and laugh it's really funny
Type 9: The Worst Person in the World
(Control through Pacing; Unowned Rage; Avoidance of Individuation/Will) --- one of the NYT Best 100 Films, convince me
"Be careful in casting out your demons that you’re not casting out the best in you.” Nieztche
Not for the faint of heart but for folks willing to explore themselves and others with curiosity and humility...This course assumes general familiarity with the Enneagram system, but you gain plenty with handouts and a lesson each time. Small group class time will be more focused on how the literature/film/themes relate to us all.
Students might find it helpful to have one Enneagram text to refer to, but not required. Click here for the bibliography of recommended authors on the website.
Students might find it helpful to have one Enneagram text to refer to, but not required. Click here for the bibliography of recommended authors on the website.
Self-Study: Generally every three weeks, you will review a type-specific handout along with Dale's simple reflections on things to watch for in the book or film. You arrange to view the film or read/listen-to the book prior to class. Plan to search IMDB.com for film streaming options. These resources can be found easily with a little planning. A few prepared questions are available for your self-reflection and for use in our group discussions.
Together: In our study group sessions, Dale will provide a 20 minute teaching on the type blindspots, difficulties posed for others, shadow content; engage the group to explore many facets of the types, and introduce relevant themes found in that session's book or film. We will have 30 minutes for any who may want to share their own reflections without crosstalk, we take a 10 minute comfort break, and afterwards move into 60 minutes of open lively dialogue. There is plenty of time for reflections, reactions, questions and deeper delving amongst the participants. It's meaningful, insightful, and grand fun with friends.
Together: In our study group sessions, Dale will provide a 20 minute teaching on the type blindspots, difficulties posed for others, shadow content; engage the group to explore many facets of the types, and introduce relevant themes found in that session's book or film. We will have 30 minutes for any who may want to share their own reflections without crosstalk, we take a 10 minute comfort break, and afterwards move into 60 minutes of open lively dialogue. There is plenty of time for reflections, reactions, questions and deeper delving amongst the participants. It's meaningful, insightful, and grand fun with friends.
- Everyone joins for the entire series. There is no recording of any kind, but a buddy system can keep you up to date with session content that you miss. Your commitment is with the community as well as to yourself.
- No refunds once our program is listed as full or classes begin.
- Gain time with friends and join warm meaningful conversations for one cold season!
Enneagram Portland welcomes and encourages a diverse community experience.
We are in our 11th of the 9 Types in Literature, Film and Community and always expanding our views, along with our understandings and experience of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI). Broaden your worldview with us this year.
Click for our past diverse titles
Click to read reviews & endorsements
We are in our 11th of the 9 Types in Literature, Film and Community and always expanding our views, along with our understandings and experience of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI). Broaden your worldview with us this year.
Click for our past diverse titles
Click to read reviews & endorsements