The Enneagram as a Tool for the Spiritual Path with Tina Rasmussen

Working with personality patterns (the thoughts that take us away from our object when we are meditating) is an essential part of the spiritual path, as these patterns are the building blocks of our unique ego-self. This “transformational” aspect of practice is especially necessary in our efforts to embody what we have realized on the “transcendent” side of our practice. Fortunately, it is possible to digest and become more free from these patterns (known as the hindrances and defilements in Buddhism). The Enneagram can be a very useful tool in this process, providing insights into the ego-identity that we have come to believe is what we are, and accelerating our progress toward awakening. According to the Diamond Approach, when our consciousness manifested into the physical realm and a body, it turned away from the Ground of Being and grew to identify completely with the body and the personality. Knowing and working with our Enneatype can be a short-cut that takes us back to knowing what we are beyond the body and the personality. It helps us see the patterns that are so deeply embedded in identity that we don’t even see them as patterns but as “ just how I am”. 

Tina Rasmussen, Ph.D., began meditating at age thirteen, and has practiced in the Theravada and Tibetan Buddhist traditions for over 30 years. In 2003, after many years of Buddhist practice, she was drawn to undertake an intensive year-long solo retreat in which profound experiences occurred. In 2004, Tina took refuge with Tibetan Buddhist teacher Tsoknyi Rinpoche, and was initiated into the Nyingma lineage. In 2005, Tina attended a two month retreat with Burmese meditation master Ven. Pa Auk Sayadaw, who ordained her as a Theravadan Buddhist nun and gave her the dharma name “Ayya Pesala.” During the retreat, Tina became the first Western woman to complete the entire detailed Samatha path in this lineage. Since 2006, Tina has also been involved in the Diamond Approach to realization.

Tina has been studied by the Yale Neuroscience Lab for research on the effects of meditation on consciousness and the brain, and is the co-author of Practicing the Jhanas (Shambhala), as well as several books on human potential. She has been featured in Time Magazine, on Buddha at the Gas Pump, Deconstructing Yourself, Buddhist Geeks, GuruViking, After Awakening, the Imperfect Buddha, Rick Hanson’s Wednesday Meditation, Awakening Women, Non-duality Magazine, Conscious TV, and others. Dr. Rasmussen now leads retreats and offers spiritual guidance and mentoring to practitioners worldwide. She has a Ph.D. in human and organizational development, and worked as an executive coach and consultant in the business world for more than 30 years.

Learn more about Tina's work here: https://luminousmindsangha.com/

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