Evolving Enneagram Interspiritual Podcast

Nhien Vuong, Evolving Enneagram
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Transforming lives one personality at a time

  1. 5d ago

    Ep 51: A Moon in Every Cup - Enneagram Type 4: Separate Identity | The Delusion of Separateness, Week 6

    Think about what makes you you. Now notice how often you know yourself by how you're different. In this sixth episode of The Enneagram & the Delusion of Separateness, Rev. Nhien Vuong completes the journey through the Heart Center with Enneagram Type 4 and the delusion Almaas calls Separate Identity: the conviction that we each have an identity of our own, original and apart from the Source of our being. Drawing on Almaas's image of the moon reflected in a cup of water and the Zen master Dōgen's moon in a single drop of water, Rev. Nhien explores how identity gets carved through comparison, the specific difficulty of abandonment, the impulse to control that so often follows, and the passion of envy. She shares a personal reflection on her own relationship to Four energy, offers a guided pause, and closes with an invitation into Holy Origin: remembering that we are not only a reflection of the One, but its very radiance. Take a few minutes after listening to sit in silence and notice what begins to arise. Chapters 0:00 What makes you you? 1:54 Welcome 2:48 From Point 3 to Point 4 3:12 A moon in every cup 3:42 The specific delusion: Separate Identity 4:17 Holding this with tenderness 6:47 Me, not me: identity through comparison 7:59 The specific difficulty: feeling abandoned 9:29 The specific reaction: control 11:14 Envy and the longing for the moon 13:01 The gift of the Four 14:16 An invitation for every type 14:39 Personal reflection: a Three and Four energy 18:17 Holy Origin 18:50 One moon, many cups 19:36 Dōgen: the moon does not get wet 20:43 Your uniqueness is real; separateness is not 21:48 The whole moon in a single drop 22:21 Contemplative pause 24:50 Waking from the delusion of separate identity 26:14 Equanimity 26:58 Authenticity and letting go 28:30 Letting go isn’t conforming 29:12 The ordinary begins to glow 30:36 Next week: Point 5 31:12 Closing affirmation Feeling called to deeper spiritual formation? Learn more about Evolving Enneagram Spiritual Direction, a two-year formation and certificate program with Rev. Nhien and Scott McRae: https://evolvingenneagram.com/spiritual-direction-program How might we bring more love and goodness into the world without judging or othering? Explore this with Rev. Nhien in Unity Metaphysics & the Enneagram, Part 2: Error, Forgiveness, and Seeing Beyond Judgment: https://evolvingenneagram.com/unitymetaphysics-2 Learn more about our Contemplative Practices & the Enneagram (CPE) groups: https://evolvingenneagram.com/contemplative-enneagram-community Source text for this series: A. H. Almaas, Facets of Unity: The Enneagram of Holy Ideas If you feel blessed by this work and would like to support us in keeping these teachings freely available to all who need them, you can contribute here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6VZLKNHCGETMJ Website: https://evolvingenneagram.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolvingenneagram/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvolvingEnneagram

  2. Oct 18

    Ep 50: The Myth of Independence: Point 3 & the Separate Doer | The Enneagram & the Delusion of Separateness, Week 5

    Think of something you're proud of having accomplished. Now notice the "I" in the story. In this fifth episode of The Enneagram & the Delusion of Separateness, Rev. Nhien Vuong turns to Point 3, her own home point, and the delusion Almaas calls the Separate Doer: the belief that we can act independently of the rest of life, and that our worth depends on what we accomplish. Weaving in her own story, the poetry of e.e. cummings, A Course in Miracles, and the image of a single ripple on a pond, Rev. Nhien explores the specific difficulty of helplessness and the specific reaction of striving that live beneath so much of our doing. She offers a guided pause to sense how Love is already moving through us, and closes with an invitation into Holy Law, Holy Harmony, and Holy Hope: not by me, but through me, and even as me. Take a few minutes after listening to sit in silence and notice what begins to arise. Chapters 0:00 What Are You Proud Of? 2:38 Welcome 3:26 Part 1: From Point 2 to Point 3 4:51 The Inner Triangle 6:55 “I Am a Separate Doer” 8:26 The Specific Difficulty: Helplessness 9:29 The Specific Reaction: Striving 10:24 Deceit and the Self-Made Myth 12:01 Sadness in the Heart Center 12:55 A Personal Share: A Season of Darkness 15:48 The Myth of Independence 17:34 What If I’m the Ripple? 20:38 Part 2: Holy Law, Holy Harmony & Holy Hope 20:56 A World of Made, a World of Born 24:44 Did You Decide Your Last Heartbeat? 25:31 A Moment to Pause 28:02 Part 3: Not by Me, but Through Me 29:17 A Game of Pool 29:48 Excellence Without Applause 31:56 How Am I a Ripple of the Love That Came Before Me? 32:41 Next Week: Point 4 33:05 Closing Benediction How might we bring more love and goodness into the world without judging or othering? Explore this with Rev. Nhien in Unity Metaphysics & the Enneagram, Part 2: Error, Forgiveness, and Seeing Beyond Judgment: https://evolvingenneagram.com/unitymetaphysics-2 New to these teachings? Part 1 is available as a self-paced course and offers a lovely foundation: https://evolvingenneagram.com/unitymetaphysics-1 Learn more about our Contemplative Practices & the Enneagram (CPE) groups: https://evolvingenneagram.com/contemplative-enneagram-community Source text for this series: A. H. Almaas, Facets of Unity: The Enneagram of Holy Ideas If you feel blessed by this work and would like to support us in keeping these teachings freely available to all who need them, you can contribute here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6VZLKNHCGETMJ Website: https://evolvingenneagram.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolvingenneagram/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvolvingEnneagram

  3. Oct 11

    Ep 49: Freely Received, Freely Given: Point 2 & Separate Will | The Enneagram & the Delusion of Separateness, Week 4

    Think of someone you've been trying to help. Now notice how much of you is leaning forward. In this fourth episode of The Enneagram & the Delusion of Separateness, Rev. Nhien Vuong continues around the Enneagram to Point 2, exploring the delusion Almaas calls Separate Will: the belief that we have a will of our own, apart from the whole, and that the flourishing of those we love depends on our steering. Drawing on Almaas's teaching on Holy Will and Holy Freedom, the ancient story of the farmer who tugged on his sprouts, and a beloved prayer from A Course in Miracles, Rev. Nhien explores how this delusion lives in all of us and the particular shape it takes for Type 2, where personal will so often hides inside helping. She offers a guided pause to bring to mind someone you've been trying to help, and closes with an invitation into humility and receiving—where we stop being the source of love and become part of its circulation. Take a few minutes after listening to sit in silence and notice what begins to arise. Chapters 0:00 Leaning Forward 0:46 Welcome 1:37 The Delusion of Separate Will 3:20 The Farmer and the Rice Sprouts 5:44 Pride: Giving Rather Than Receiving 6:17 The Gift of Attunement 8:06 Holy Will & Holy Freedom 9:18 The Butterfly and the Cocoon 10:25 An Invitation to Radical Faith 11:49 A Prayer from A Course in Miracles 13:40 True Help Trusts the Growing 15:23 A Moment to Pause 17:10 Waking Up from Separate Will 18:09 The Virtue of Humility 19:20 “I’m So Bad at Receiving” 20:42 Receiving in Centering Prayer 23:08 Becoming Part of Love’s Circulation 23:31 Next Week: Point 3 23:41 Closing Benediction How might we bring more love and goodness into the world without judging or othering? Explore this with Rev. Nhien in Unity Metaphysics & the Enneagram, Part 2: Error, Forgiveness, and Seeing Beyond Judgment: https://evolvingenneagram.com/unitymetaphysics-2  New to these teachings? Part 1 is available as a self-paced course and offers a lovely foundation: https://evolvingenneagram.com/unitymetaphysics-1  Learn more about our Contemplative Practices & the Enneagram (CPE) groups: https://evolvingenneagram.com/contemplative-enneagram-community Source text for this series: A. H. Almaas, Facets of Unity: The Enneagram of Holy Ideas If you feel blessed by this work and would like to support us in keeping these teachings freely available to all who need them, you can contribute here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6VZLKNHCGETMJ Website: https://evolvingenneagram.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolvingenneagram/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvolvingEnneagram

  4. Oct 7

    Ep 48: Enneagram-informed Spiritual Direction Program | Your Questions Answered

    In this follow-up conversation, Rev. Nhien Vuong and Rev. Scott McRae answer your questions about Evolving Enneagram's inaugural Enneagram-informed Spiritual Direction Training & Certificate Program—why we're offering it now, who it's for, and what the 22-month journey looks like. We explore the distinct journeys of ego, soul, and spirit, why we hold the Enneagram as a mirror rather than a report card, and how it's woven throughout the program as a tool for deep listening. We also share two new pathways: an Advanced Practice Certificate for those who've already completed spiritual direction training, and CEP Level II for alumni of our Contemplative Enneagram Practitioner program. Whether you're a seasoned spiritual director, a Contemplative Enneagram Practitioner, or a lifelong seeker drawn to deeper spiritual formation, you're welcome here. The Early Bird discount ($300 off) is available for those accepted and registered by October 31, 2026. 🔗 Learn more: https://evolvingenneagram.com/spiritual-direction-program 🔗 Apply: https://forms.gle/k2JXVMDxfnCSAWhf8 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bTWkQkV96wE 🎧 Part one, Meet Your Co-Leads: https://youtu.be/PPee4sngWIU 💌 Questions, or want to connect on Zoom? revnhien@evolvingenneagram.com CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome 01:13 What we'll explore today 01:59 Why this program, and why now 03:46 Holding both joy and grief 05:20 The distinct journeys of ego, soul, and spirit 06:13 Maps as mirrors, not report cards 07:40 Assuming wholeness: unlearning rather than self-improvement 09:29 Who is this program for? 10:07 A new Advanced Practice Certificate for spiritual directors 11:06 Coming for your own spiritual formation 12:27 CEP Level II for CEP alumni 13:40 An interspiritual path forward 16:08 Common threads across traditions 17:07 The six phases at a glance 22:22 Gentle reflection papers 22:59 How the Enneagram is woven throughout 27:16 The Enneagram as a tool for deep listening and program structure 29:38 CEP certification included as self-study 31:24 The gift of fishbowls and case studies 34:26 How we co-lead together 36:24 Reach out to us 37:12 Closing ABOUT YOUR GUIDES Rev. Nhien Vuong, JD, MDiv, is an ordained Unity minister, spiritual director, international presenter, and contemplative Enneagram guide. She is the author of The Enneagram of the Soul and the founder and lead faculty of Evolving Enneagram. Rev. Scott McRae, MDiv, ACPE, is a spiritual director, educator, and longtime trainer in contemplative spiritual formation. He served for 25 years in hospital chaplaincy and clinical pastoral education and is the founder of Sojourners Institute.

    Ep 48: Enneagram-informed Spiritual Direction Program | Your Questions Answered

  5. Oct 4

    Ep. 47: Perfect, Not Flawless: Point 1 & Localized Rightness | The Enneagram & the Delusion of Separateness, Week 3

    Think of something in your life you are certain is wrong. Now notice how certain you are. In this third episode of The Enneagram & the Delusion of Separateness, Rev. Nhien Vuong continues around the Enneagram to Point 1, exploring the delusion Almaas calls Localized Rightness: the belief that something is always wrong, that rightness lives in certain standards and not others, and that we must correct ourselves and the world in order to be acceptable. Drawing on Almaas's teaching on Holy Perfection, A Course in Miracles' teaching that we cannot judge, and the old Taoist story of the farmer and his horse, Rev. Nhien explores how this delusion lives in all of us and the particular shape it takes for Type 1. She shares a story from her years as a young attorney and offers a guided pause to look at one thing you are certain is wrong. The episode closes with a distinction between judgment, which is rigid, and alignment to truth, which is supple—and an invitation into the essential perfection that underlies all of existence, including you. Take a few minutes after listening to sit in silence and notice what begins to arise. Take a deeper dive into these teachings on unity and oneness in Rev. Nhien's self-paced course, Unity Metaphysics & the Enneagram: https://evolvingenneagram.com/unitymetaphysics-1 Learn more about our Contemplative Practices & the Enneagram (CPE) groups: https://evolvingenneagram.com/contemplative-enneagram-community Source text for this series: A. H. Almaas, Facets of Unity: The Enneagram of Holy Ideas If you feel blessed by this work and would like to support us in keeping these teachings freely available to all who need them, you can contribute here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6VZLKNHCGETMJ Website: https://evolvingenneagram.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolvingenneagram/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvolvingEnneagram

  6. Sep 28

    Ep 46: Love without an Address: Point 9 & Localized Love | The Enneagram & the Delusion of Separateness, Week 2

    Where do you go to find love? In this second episode of The Enneagram & the Delusion of Separateness, Rev. Nhien Vuong begins the journey around the Enneagram at Point 9, exploring what A. H. Almaas calls the delusion of Localized Love: the belief that love lives in certain people, places, and times, but not in others, and often not in ourselves. Drawing on Almaas's teaching on Holy Love, A Course in Miracles, and the Vedantic understanding of Satchitananda, Rev. Nhien explores how this delusion lives in all of us and the particular shape it takes for Type 9. She shares a personal reflection and offers a guided pause to look at your own relationship to love. The episode closes with an invitation to come home to Holy Love: the realization that there is no place or time where Love is not. Take a few minutes after listening to sit in silence and notice what begins to arise. Take a deeper dive into these teachings on unity and oneness in Rev. Nhien's course, Unity Metaphysics & the Enneagram (live October 2–3, 2026, with a self-paced recorded version available afterward): https://evolvingenneagram.com/unitymetaphysics-1 Learn more about our Contemplative Practices & the Enneagram (CPE) groups: https://evolvingenneagram.com/contemplative-enneagram-community Source text for this series: A. H. Almaas, Facets of Unity: The Enneagram of Holy Ideas If you feel blessed by this work and would like to support us in keeping these teachings freely available to all who need them, you can contribute here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6VZLKNHCGETMJ Website: https://evolvingenneagram.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolvingenneagram/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvolvingEnneagram

  7. Sep 21

    Ep 45: Nine Faces of One Delusion — The Enneagram & the Delusion of Separateness, Week 1

    In this opening talk of The Enneagram & the Delusion of Separateness, Rev. Nhien invites us from the theme of our fundamental wholeness into a deeper recognition of our oneness—and asks whether we actually live from that knowing when someone disappoints us, when we're afraid, or when life isn't going the way we think it should. Drawing on A. H. Almaas's Enneagram of Specific Delusions, A Course in Miracles, and the Gurdjieff–Ouspensky teaching on awakening from sleep, she introduces the nine ways we forget our unity and offers a guided pause to notice where separateness is alive in your own life today. The talk closes with an invitation into contemplative practice as rest from the compulsions of personality, so that remembering can happen on its own. Take a few minutes after this talk to sit in silence and notice what begins to arise. Learn more about our Contemplative Practices & the Enneagram (CPE) groups: https://evolvingenneagram.com/contemplative-enneagram-community Source text for this series: A. H. Almaas, Facets of Unity: The Enneagram of Holy Ideas 💗 If you feel blessed by this work and would like to support us in keeping these lessons freely available to all who need it, please make your contribution here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6VZLKNHCGETMJ Website: https://evolvingenneagram.com/ FB Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/EvolvingEnneagram FB Community Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2110196922427652 IG: https://www.instagram.com/evolvingenneagram/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolving-enneagram/ #enneagram #evolvingenneagram #Nhienvuong #spirituality #CPE #wisdom #contemplation #essence #oneness #separateness #holyideas #almaas #centeringprayer

  8. Aug 18 ·  Bonus

    Ep 44: Enneagram-Informed Spiritual Direction | Meet Your Co-Leads

    In this follow-up conversation, Rev. Nhien Vuong and Rev. Scott McRae answer your questions about Evolving Enneagram's inaugural Enneagram-informed Spiritual Direction Training & Certificate Program—why we're offering it now, who it's for, and what the 22-month journey looks like. We explore the distinct journeys of ego, soul, and spirit, why we hold the Enneagram as a mirror rather than a report card, and how it's woven throughout the program as a tool for deep listening. We also share two new pathways: an Advanced Practice Certificate for those who've already completed spiritual direction training, and CEP Level II for alumni of our Contemplative Enneagram Practitioner program. Whether you're a seasoned spiritual director, a Contemplative Enneagram Practitioner, or a lifelong seeker drawn to deeper spiritual formation, you're welcome here.The Early Bird discount ($300 off) is available for those accepted and registered by October 31, 2026. 🔗 Learn more: https://evolvingenneagram.com/spiritual-direction-program 🔗 Apply: https://forms.gle/k2JXVMDxfnCSAWhf8 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bTWkQkV96wE 🎧 Part one, Meet Your Co-Leads: https://youtu.be/PPee4sngWIU💌 Questions, or want to connect on Zoom? revnhien@evolvingenneagram.com CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome 00:40 A bonus conversation with Scott McRae 01:20 Scott's journey: from Yale to chaplaincy to spiritual direction 04:37 How Scott became Nhien's spiritual director 06:23 Scott's Enneagram type and our partnership 07:41 Why a 22-month program, and why now 10:13 Who this program is for 11:32 Nhien's story: a lifelong seeker 13:43 Meditation and the path of interiority 15:32 The Enneagram as map and mirror 18:55 Why Enneagram-informed, not an elective 20:05 Scott's story: faith as a lifestyle 22:40 The Enneagram in Scott's life, marriage and leadership 25:38 Preach what you practice 27:50 Awakening to the wholeness already here 29:00 Evolutionary spirituality 30:05 Teilhard de Chardin and the evolution of love 33:01 Tradition and the emerging interspiritual vision 35:16 Reverence and the contemplative path 37:58 Liminal space and the work of spiritual companioning 39:16 Spiritual direction "without the name" 41:31 CEP certification and IEA hours included 43:37 Nhien's Enneagram roots and the ground of wholeness 44:52 Closing reflections 47:18 A soul-level calling and how to apply Closing ABOUT YOUR GUIDES Rev. Nhien Vuong, JD, MDiv, is an ordained Unity minister, spiritual director, international presenter, and contemplative Enneagram guide. She is the author of The Enneagram of the Soul and the founder and lead faculty of Evolving Enneagram. Rev. Scott McRae, MDiv, ACPE, is a spiritual director, educator, and longtime trainer in contemplative spiritual formation. He served for 25 years in hospital chaplaincy and clinical pastoral education and is the founder of Sojourners Institute.

    Ep 44: Enneagram-Informed Spiritual Direction | Meet Your Co-Leads
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