Essence and the Enneagram Training Intensive

overview

Don DeMercurio has long held the belief that it is our potential as human beings to embody spiritual wisdom in a way that is integrated and applicable to everyday life. In some traditions the experience of awakening comes as a result of an energetic transmission from an enlightened teacher. For some it is the result of years of disciplined spiritual practice. Occasionally, physical or emotional crisis precipitates a dissolving of the ego structures and a brief glimpse into the true nature of Reality.

For many years Don has offered transmissions of essence through the channeling of wisdom teachings in group settings and through individual healing sessions. But over time, he saw that the teachings were not penetrating through the layers of personality and integrating within the soul in a way that brought real and lasting change. His commitment to living into the Truth of these spiritual teachings led him to the Enneagram.

The Enneagram, as it is currently taught, has developed mainly as a psychological system for understanding the personality types and what makes them “tick”. It was introduced in Berkeley, CA in the early ‘70s, to a group led by Claudio Naranjo, which he called the Seekers After Truth (SAT). Those who truly understand the enneagram hold that it must be taught within a broader context of spiritual Work in order for it to lead to the realization of our true nature. Don teaches the enneagram in this tradition because it has so profoundly deepened his own inner realization. He is dedicated to sharing this wisdom with serious seekers of truth.

location

We will be meeting at the Priory Retreat House in the Adirondack mountains of New York. It is located in Chestertown, NY off the Northway (I-87), Exit 25, on one hundred acres in the Adirondack Mountains. There are short trails in the woods, plus six miles of groomed, marked trails for skiing or hiking.

dates and times

6 weekends, beginning with dinner on Friday 6:30pm – ending on Sunday at 3:00pm
Begins September, 2010
2008-09 Sept. 19-21, Nov. 14-16, Jan. 9-11, March 13-15, May 15-17, July 10-12
2010-11 dates will be approx. the same but are not yet finalized.

fee schedule

$2370 if registered before June 15, 2010.
$2270 if registered and paid in full before June 15, 2010.
$2670 after June 15, 2010.
(includes tuition, food and lodging).

deposit and registration process

A $400 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of registration.
Balance is due on or before August 1, 2010. (Contact me if you need to make a payment plan)

Cancellation policy: If you cancel 45 days or more before retreat you will receive a refund of all funds paid, less $400 deposit. If you cancel 30 – 45 days prior to retreat you will receive a 75% refund, less $400 deposit. Cancellation 30 days or less from start of retreat, refund of 50%, less $400. After start of retreat, no refund will be given.

After receiving your deposit I will send you an in-depth questionnaire to complete. The purpose of this questionnaire is primarily to begin the process of inquiring into what has informed your life and your beliefs. It will also help you and me to determine if this work is a good fit for you at this time. If I feel after reviewing your application that this work may not be of benefit to you or is not consistent with your needs at this time, your entire deposit will be returned to you.

Students should have some familiarity with the enneagram.
Suggested reading:
“Spiritual Dimensions of the Enneagram” by Sandra Maitri
“The Enneagram of Passions and Virtues” by Sandra Maitri
“The Wisdom of the Enneagram” by Riso and Hudson

Online RHETI type test at http://www.enneagraminstitute.com will be required if you are part of the training.

The Teaching

“At the core of every issue or difficulty we face – there is Essence.” – David Hey
The teachings will include a weaving of many traditions arising out of Don’s experience as a spiritual student, healer and teacher over the past 30 years. The enneagram will be the primary psychological framework that we will use to bring understanding to the process, as it clearly describes the development of the personality/ego. It will be transmitted as it was originally offered, from the “inside – out”. Students will receive a deep understanding of the ways in which each enneatype passionately hangs onto a certain fixation to avoid its basic fear. They will also see how each type has a virtue, which is a key to one of the 9 doorways of the soul and an enlightened perception of Reality.

The journey will bring us into contact with the stored pockets of undigested early experience which resulted from the early loss of contact with Being. We will see how the ego/personality formed in response to this loss and learn to follow it through to a place of resolution and integration.

We will be using meditation, breath, individual and group exercises and other modalities to deepen the capacity of our felt sense, leading to greater levels of embodiment and self-actualization. There will be small group exercises to assist in learning the process of open ended inquiry and to bring a deeper contact with, and awareness of the present moment as it is unfolding within our own experience.

I look forward to sharing with you in this time of personal discovery.

Don DeMercurio