Sinsomnia

Kristen is joined by Enneagram teacher and author John Luckovich to talk about his upcoming retreat in New York City called ‘Experiencing Essence’. The two discuss what essence is, how to cultivate it, and the many ways we are already relating (or lacking relation) to this substance within us.  Essence is the seed of consciousness at the core of our being. When we make efforts to be present, it is Essence that either shows up—or remains obscured. While everyone's Essence is unique, it expresses itself through nine fundamental qualities that shape the distinct character of each Enneagram type: Power, Harmony, Integrity, Love, Value, Depth, Insight, Truth, and Freedom. True growth requires direct connection with these qualities. Where the ego goes wrong is that we try to find Essence through the Instinctual Drives, confusing Being and Function. We will explore what it means to “live in two worlds”." - John Luckovich Get more information about this retreat and reserve your spot (MAY 23-25, 2025) at https://www.johnluckovich.com/experiencing-essence [https://www.johnluckovich.com/experiencing-essence] Buy John’s book on the Instinctual Drives and the Enneagram at https://www.amazon.com/Instinctual-Drives-Enneagram-John-Luckovich/dp/0578784971/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=john%20luckovich%20enneagram&qid=1629613426&sr=8-3 [https://www.amazon.com/Instinctual-Drives-Enneagram-John-Luckovich/dp/0578784971/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=john%20luckovich%20enneagram&qid=1629613426&sr=8-3] Episode art by John Luckovich

Kristen and Sammy discuss Carl Jung’s piece on ‘The Transcendent Function’. They read a few excerpts and describe how they see personality type impacting this method, but also how accessing this space allows the ‘machine’ of type to be more regulated by its compensatory counterpart; the unconscious. Letting this theory be a part of the conversation with Enneagram type can give more flavor or color to our individual struggles, rather than just working with type as a description of qualities and behaviors.

Today, Sammy and Kristen discuss the appearance of animals in dreams and how they could be the messengers of our instinctual natures. The girls mainly focus on the objectivity an animal’s nature can provide to our instincts, rather than getting stuck in the neurosis of the subjective personality’s relationship to instinct. The many facets of self-preservation are discussed, as well as the different centers of intelligence in the Enneagram. Some personal dream examples are used to articulate the potential pivots of our autonomy and choices in life when we receive the message of a dream animal. The conversation also goes into the direction of imaginary worlds, oracles, and feminine initiation. Resources; * ‘Descent to the Goddess’ by Sylvia Brinton Perera * ‘Waking the Tiger’ by Peter Levine * Kristen’s ‘class’ and info on the imaginal realm; https://open.spotify.com/episode/4gEDWGZy9UJj4mFbAk8L66?si=U_zRAFVpRMKs5vflpqLnNQ [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4gEDWGZy9UJj4mFbAk8L66?si=U_zRAFVpRMKs5vflpqLnNQ] OR https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weird-studies/id1343819177?i=1000696278802 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weird-studies/id1343819177?i=1000696278802]

To continue the idea of ‘Type Ensouled’, Sammy and Kristen reflect on their own dreams and how they’ve correlated with their personality and life experiences. We use the power of stories and myth to amplify the purpose of our personal enneagram types. To be able to ‘catch the thread’ of our human and soul path became a fun and interesting attempt to play with the creative energies that are present. “Storytelling is at the heart of life... In finding our own story, we assemble all the parts of ourselves. Whatever kind of mess we have made of it, we can somehow see the totality of who we are and recognize how our blunderings are related. We can own what we did and value who we are, not because of the outcome but because of the soul story that propelled us.” - Marion Woodman

Today we focus on the “soul purpose” or “soul perspective” of having an Enneagram type and instinct stacking. We talk about systems like the Akashic records and astrological natal charts and how it mirrors our personal type structure. All aspects of personality like our dominant functions and blindspots are looked at as a sort of contraction and expansion of the human experience. The tension of personality and soul are explored in archetypal and personal ways as we question our purpose, our suffering, and our creative expression as human beings. Resources; Find Valeria - https://linktr.ee/ValeriaKechichian?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=e51b0c92-ce96-4c3c-91e8-de763a3eff73 [https://linktr.ee/ValeriaKechichian?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=e51b0c92-ce96-4c3c-91e8-de763a3eff73] James Hillman - ‘The Soul’s Code’ David’s Bhavachakra - https://enneasite.com/2022/12/01/the-bhavachakra-of-the-spatial-psyche/