Using the Enneagram in Prayer: Sr. Suzanne Zuercher -- Part 2

by NCR Podcasts

View Author Profile

Join the Conversation

Send your thoughts to Letters to the Editor. Learn more

Sr. Suzanne Zuercher

Episode 2: Why not catch fire? (20 min.)
A story is told of a devote student of prayer who studied long and diligently, but who after ardent study still felt stymied in prayer, Sr. Zuercher tells Tom Fox. "The student went to the master and said, ‘Master what can I do?' And the Master lifted his arms above his head and pointed his fingers up straight and said, ‘Why not catch fire?' It all boils done to that: What is there that makes me catch fire? The Enneagram can help very much with that, I think, Zuercher says.

Using the Enneagram in Prayer
Sr. Suzanne Zuercher is a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago. She is a pioneer in the spirituality of the Enneagram and has presented workshops and programs on the subject around the world. She talks with Tom Fox about her latest book: Using the Enneagram in Prayer, published by Ave Maria Press (www.avemariapress.com) in April.

More about the Enneagram
height="100" width="72" The Enneagram divides people into three groupings: the 8/9/1 people who are called feelers, the 2/3/4 people who are called doers or imitators, and the 5/6/7 people who are called perceivers or observers. Each of these triads faces different issues and challenges according to their energy, emotions, motivations, and behaviors.
The publisher says this about Using the Enneagram in Prayer:
Zuercher believes that we are all called to be contemplatives and that the One Who Is Without Limits speaks to us in many different ways. She explores the approaches to the interior life recommended for each of the three groupings and then moves on to methods of prayer: focusing, image and symbol, nature and creation, working with dreams, and Eastern prayer. Zuercher makes a good case for using the Enneagram to deepen our self-awareness and to open to grace and personal growth as part of the contemplative journey.
Other books by Zuercher include Enneagram Companions: Growing in Relationships and Spiritual Direction and Merton : An Enneagram Profile.

Latest News

Advertisement

1x per dayDaily Newsletters
1x per weekWeekly Newsletters
2x WeeklyBiweekly Newsletters