70 - Personality and the Transcendent Function

Explicit content warning

04/03/25 • 53 min

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.

Previous Episode

69 - Enneagram, Animals, and the Dream Realm

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 OR https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weird-studies/id1343819177?i=1000696278802

Next Episode

71 - Experiencing Essence with John Luckovich

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

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

Episode art by John Luckovich