Spirituality

Do you know yourself?

By Anthony O'Flynn

‘Know thyself’ the Greeks stated. You may know your favourite colour or your favourite movie but that is not what I am talking about. What does it truly mean to know yourself? Yes even the less charming aspects. It can be confronting believe me.

Yet it is this inner quest that actually gives us the deepest peace. Why? Because it is only when we truly understand ourselves that we can begin to heal. We can only heal what we truly feel. This means to open to life instead of contracting. It is easy to see everyone else’s limitations but often we have a blind spot to our own issues.

Explore your inner landscape

The Enneagram is essentially a blueprint of consciousness. It is a map that shows you who you are and what you need to do to heal and transform your inner world to experience states of greater peace and a deeper understanding of others. The Enneagram is a tool I believe that can help you to understand yourself in ways that no other modality can.

Approximately 90% of your mind is subconscious.

How then can you really know yourself if 90% of your mind is subconscious and therefore by definition you do not have the awareness of it? You can’t. It’s that simple. That is what makes this personality typing system so powerful. There are 9 fundamental personality types. The Enneagram is not trying to put a label on you. The label is already there, you just don’t know it yet. The Enneagram is an opportunity to remove the label or uninstall the computer program that is operating in both your conscious and subconscious mind. You know the one. The one that makes sure you self-sabotage your life, reminds you to have low feelings of self-worth, creates disharmony in your relationships and ensures those limitations and unwanted patterns repeat themselves over and over again, often showing up at the worst moments. Oh yeah we all know about that computer program. We know it too well! Is there a delete button you ask?

And here is the rub

A great deal of personal development focuses on addressing your patterns and seeks to inspire you to change. Yet the Enneagram takes this one step further. The Enneagram will not only reveal your deep-seated patterns it will allow you to see why you do what you do. The why of what you do is the subconscious impulse that generates these patterns. It is the aspect of your being that causes you to react rather than respond. Once you understand why you do what you do, you can begin the journey of genuine transformation. It is essential to understand why you do what you do in order to move forward, let go and evolve.

Moving forward

The Enneagram understands that we have different challenges and this is reflected in the 9 different personality types. So not only are there 9 different types but 9 different programs or patterns and therefore also 9 different solutions to the various challenges of each type. As I often state, the Enneagram knows you better than you know yourself. It is the solution to much of your self-defeating and limiting behaviour and a path to deeper self-acceptance, balance and inner peace. The most important relationship you have in your life journey is the one you have with yourself. It never ends.

Is it time for you to awaken from the painful unconscious pattern of endlessly banging your head and enter a world of increased self-awareness, self-knowledge and self-love?

About the author

Anthony O'Flynn

Holistic Life Coach & Mentor, Educator, Author, Inspirational Speaker, Yoga, Meditation, Tantra & Mindfulness Teacher

Anthony is a true pioneer in the field of modern spirituality. His approach allows him to navigate a broad range of topics and modalities while drawing connections and offering profound insights into consciousness and the spiritual path. Anthony’s purpose is to awaken individuals to the power of the human soul and discover a life of true purpose and inspiration.

His ability to link the ancient and the modern provides a bridge between traditional spirituality and a 21st century lifestyle. His approach is insightful and his audience enjoys his spirited humour, profound knowledge and light-hearted style of communicating timeless truths.

Anthony's message expresses a true wisdom that can only be accumulated by well over 20 years of experience on the path, complete with breakthroughs, mistakes, dead-ends, realisations, acceptance and joy for the profound journey of life.

Anthony regards himself as an eternal student but it is the role of awakener and educator that is apparent through the countless workshops, courses, retreats and events that he facilitates. He is a skilled presenter and speaker with an ability to articulately communicate concepts that ‘stick’ with the audience creating many ‘a-ha’ moments and genuine transformations that represent his unique gift.

As a certified life-coach, Anthony is also passionate about personal development and uses the tool of the Enneagram to support the removing of blocks and assist to inspire his clients to be the best version of themselves. Anthony has embraced the path of Tantra since 1999 and he draws on his extensive experience in this field in the teaching of Tantric sexuality.

After studying at university for six years and completing a Masters in Communications at Monash University in Melbourne, Anthony embarked on a global expedition travelling across the globe. Anthony’s life-long interest in mysticism dramatically intensified on a trip to India in 1999, where he began to practice yoga and meditation. This turning point led to a deeper spiritual integration and led Anthony to spend more than two years of his life in India. Anthony deeply immersed himself in the practice of yoga, meditation and studied numerous diverse paths and topics related to spirituality.

Anthony is also the Director of the Paradigm Shift Summit, which is a movement of socially and spiritually aware people who recognise that an awakening is occurring as humanity evolves to a higher more elevated level of consciousness. The Paradigm Shift movement is an expression of the goal of assisting humanity transform to a new level of awareness during this critical transition.

Anthony feels a deep gratitude to live as a spiritual practitioner. He enjoys communicating this critical message and continues to help inspire others to make choices to maximise their own happiness while developing the tranquility of inner peace, presence and true wisdom.