Enneagram Type Two - Relationship with God

Have you ever considered the delicate dance between serving others and honoring your own needs? 

As we navigate the intricate motivations that drive Type Twos to assist others, we confront the pivotal question: are we helping for acceptance or out of pure love? Our discussion delves into the importance of self-examination, the power of saying 'no', and the wisdom in seeking divine guidance before extending a hand. Through Jesus's example, we learn the profound value of solitude and divine connection, shedding light on how intentional compassion trumps the quest for validation.

We wrap up with practical insights on how Type Twos can flourish by setting boundaries and embracing the transformative practice of centering prayer. Discover how focusing on a sacred word can anchor one's soul, cultivating the peace and presence of God amidst the noise of life's demands. This episode is an invitation to all, especially our nurturing Twos, to cultivate a balanced life that embraces both selfless service and sacred self-care. Join us for a meaningful exploration of growth, spirituality, and the beauty of a centered life, grounded in the wisdom of the Enneagram.

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Transcript

Speaker 1 0:04

Welcome to Enneagram U with Damon and Kelly, where we explore the mysteries of human personality and help you learn more about you. With your skeptic or an enthusiast, together, we'll take you on a journey of self-discovery using the ancient wisdom of the Enneagram. This is Enneagram U. Hey, everyone, welcome to Enneagram U. My name is Damon and I'm here with my friend Kelly. Hi, kelly, hey, damon, I'm getting really fast at that. I'm getting really fast at that because this is our second podcast right in a row, because you are about to leave the country again and you're not going to be here, so we're actually, right now, not here while we're listening to this.

Speaker 1 0:40

You're somewhere else.

Speaker 2 0:41

Yes, I am in Jamaica again.

Speaker 1 0:43

Look at you. I know how are you swinging this.

Speaker 2 0:47

Well, it's actually another mission trip. I know that sounds suspect.

Speaker 1 0:51

Well, last week we kind of called it I mean just a few minutes ago, when we recorded the first podcast, which was last week.

Speaker 2 0:56

Yes, that's right, we were getting to go and help with the dental team there. So I'm sure next week at this time I will be feeling really fulfilled, probably ready to sleep in my own bed and loving the warm sunshine.

Speaker 1 1:12

Yes, well, I'm so glad you can figure all that out, because I'm just going to. You know, I'm going to like not talk about my feelings because I have no idea how I'm going to be. I don't even know how I'm feeling right now, so how am I going to know next week?

Speaker 2 1:23

or the week after. Oh, when we get back together in a couple of weeks, I'm sure there will be a lot to process. So, bring your journal in, we can.

Speaker 1 1:32

I have journals somewhere. Better blank, better blank. That's paper. I drew some pictures. There's some cartoons in there, oh, wow. So we just got off the podcast with Vanessa, who is a two, yes, and so we're going to transition right now from talking about the two to the two and the relationship in faith or the relationship with.

Speaker 2 1:55

God, that's right. And you know, as we think about each of our numbers, we are a reflection of God. Now, we are in a broken world, so we don't reflect God perfectly, but the two reflects that God is love, you know, and even as we think about Jesus, like Jesus taught, more about love, I think, than probably anything else, you know, even I'm thinking that versus Jesus says a new command I give you love one another. You know, and so this idea that you know, the question is Jesus a two.

Speaker 1 2:30

The twos think so, yeah, the twos do, which then I don't know that, since they kind of are trying to own that. What happens is their pride gets in the way and then their faith gets hurt. So I don't even know what's happening.

Speaker 2 2:41

Yes, I'm just teasing. Oh my gosh, if Jesus said this is my number, we would all want to be that number, that's right but. Jesus was perfect. He was the best of all the numbers. So, maybe we could say he was a nine.

Speaker 1 2:52

No, no, no Is that too much pressure. Well, first of all, yeah, I could never do that. I could never say that Jesus was a nine, but I would say he is the healthiest of all the numbers together, and nines definitely are not that. If that was true, I wouldn't be so confused. Right, well, you're growing. So no, every week, I just don't know. I find out how much, I don't know. Wow, but yeah, you're right, a lot of love in the twos. Yes, that's right. God is love, that's right.

Speaker 2 3:20

God is love and so, as we think about the numbers in light of reflecting God and even in their relationship with others and with God, we know for twos, they are the loving people. They love to serve, give, to be those encouragers in our life, and I think for twos that they're very best. They are really healing presences in the world. They just bring that healing touch to people in so many ways With their love and care. So, yeah, what they have to realize, though, so often, is that they struggle in the brokenness with pride.

Speaker 1 3:58

I just said that I didn't really mean to land there, yeah.

Speaker 2 4:02

And so that's confusing for a twos, because they think, well, I'm not prideful, I'm not doing this in order for everyone to, like you know, worship me, but they do it in order to be loved. So it's kind of this conditional, like if I love you, then maybe you'll love me in that unhealthy space and no one can love you like I can, so let me yeah.

Speaker 2 4:24

And so I think for a twos to recognize that as just a core struggle can be really helpful in their spiritual life, you know, because all of us will have these spiritual places of brokenness that we need to embrace. Not in order for shame this isn't anything to put down the two but it's just to recognize, like where is the struggle so we can really face it head on.

Speaker 1 4:46

I think Vanessa was a great example of that. She knows those things and she knows when it's a struggle. She was. She admitted that was clear, right, humble about it, that's right yeah.

Speaker 2 4:59

Which good point there, damon. Their vice, you know, is or not their vice, but their virtue in the world is humility. And so for a two to be able to really think about again another verse that says humble yourself in the side of the Lord and you will be lifted up, which I think goes right along AJ Sherrill, who I know I've mentioned his book before the spiritual formation and the enneagram. He says that twos must learn to serve from love and not for love.

Speaker 1 5:27

That's good.

Speaker 2 5:28

I might need to repeat that Does, that does that feel deep.

Speaker 1 5:29

Say it one more time.

Speaker 2 5:31

Two's must learn to serve from love and not for love. So it kind of reminds me of wow.

Speaker 1 5:39

That is so. I hate to say this, folks, but just everybody stand back, keep your thought, I'll keep it. That is so theological. It is, I mean, like that is that is moving, that, yeah, I'm not going to go there.

Speaker 2 5:51

Mind blown.

Speaker 1 5:52

Well, it is. It's. It's like we're not trying to work for something here. Right, our love, the way we're serving, is a result of a relationship of faith that we have, that's where the love comes from, if our love is to earn then. Then our theology is kind of broken in the.

Speaker 2 6:07

Christian world anyway. Yes, well, and you're right, there are some faith traditions that really believe if you don't love and serve, god's not going to be pleased with you. But it's really more of this idea of no, we are loved by God, so it's like he pours into us and then we pour out to others. What I was going to say is Robert Mulholland talks about how we need to be in God for the world, not in the world for God.

Speaker 1 6:36

Okay, you better say that one again too. That's another one too.

Speaker 2 6:38

So he says that we need to be in God for the world. You know so this idea that if we are connected with God, if we are feeling loved and accepted and just full because of our relationship with God, that then from that place we pour out to others, right, but what happens so often is that we feel like we have to be busy in the world doing things for God, that we're actually not connecting with God. Right, and I can see for a two that would be maybe a temptation because they see all these different places and all these different people where they need help or need some kind of assistance, and so twos could wear themselves out being in the world for God, right.

Speaker 1 7:22

When we asked our two guests like is it easy for you to receive help or for you to be served, she was like yeah, it's not.

Speaker 2 7:34

No, it's not, she was like no yeah, it's impossible.

Speaker 1 7:37

But yeah if you think about you know Jesus and how he served. Yes, he came to serve and not to be served, but we also see him being served.

Speaker 2 7:46

Oh, yes, I mean you say that right, yes, like.

Speaker 1 7:48

I said that backwards, but he was a servant but, yet we see him being served and receiving. That that's right.

Speaker 2 7:54

Yes, I mean, you think of that vulnerable scene with Mary where she broke the perfume and, you know, washed his feet with her hair, right, you know. And that was just a way of him being loved and served in a situation where they were getting on to her because that money could have been spent for something else and just that's a beautiful picture of balance.

Speaker 2 8:17

Yeah, well, and even we think about Mary and Martha. You know, which is another example of that conversation that you know, or that you know story, where Mary and Martha are hosting people at their home, and Martha, you know, probably being a two with hospitality, getting everything ready, and then Mary just sitting at Jesus' feet listening to his teaching. And so, you know, martha comes out and says, lord, would you tell her to help me? And you know he said no, martha, like Mary, is doing what is best. And yet, you know, I know the twos are going, yeah, but who's going to make the food then? Right, you know. So there has to be this balance, yeah.

Speaker 1 8:53

We're not going to beat up on Martha too much today, but because there's more to that story of course Absolutely, but yes, you're right about the. It's showing the balance that Jesus had.

Speaker 2 9:02

And you know, I think again, mary showing us in that that she is spending time with Jesus, and it wasn't that then she wasn't going to help, you know, and so I think that's the image that can be really helpful for a two is to really be able to see okay, am I having my time with God, am I connected with God, and then from that place I'm going out and serving as God leads me, versus I just need to be about busy helping everybody, right, yeah, because I think that could be the temptation for them. I mean, I think, in the spiritual battle of things, of course, st Ignatius would say that the enemy likes to trip us up with subtleties, especially as we're going along our spiritual journey. And so I mean, can you imagine for the two that actually it could be a spiritual trap to over help?

Speaker 2 9:49

Yeah, I mean, I think it is yeah, it is yeah for sure.

Speaker 1 9:53

Right, you're over. Help. Help less and you'll be more helpful. Yes, balance, wait a second, that's a t-shirt, I think.

The Two's Motivation and Helping Others

Speaker 2 10:01

I don't know. I have to think through that one.

Speaker 1 10:03

I think, my, I think the book that I'm going to write is just about how to destroy all these numbers with just saying like that no, I'm not going to do that. It's like help.

Speaker 2 10:12

So like the t-shirt for the two would be like two colon Right Help less to help more.

Speaker 1 10:17

Yes, Stuff like that would be brilliant and funny, and only I would laugh at it, which would actually be true. Right, it's still true. It's in context. It's still true.

Speaker 2 10:26

Yes, so, yeah, I think for the two again. And you know, I think the essence again in the broken world is that a two might feel like if they serve, then others will accept them, you know. And so the broken side that we all experience is just this desire to be known and loved and accepted. And so for the two it's like, well, if I can just help or if I can just serve, then I'll be accepted. But you can hear that conditional statement there.

Speaker 2 10:52

If I, then I you know, and I think what God's invitation to us is to just receive his love unconditionally. And we also see, with Jesus too, those times that he went away to be alone, you know, even though people I'm sure were needing his help all day, every day.

Speaker 1 11:10

Right, but he had to, you know, refresh himself and spend some time, as the human side of him had to re-energize.

Speaker 2 11:17

And I think that's a great model for a two, like you said, that Jesus was willing to get help, that he was willing to take time away, says to our two friends like if it's okay for Jesus and needed for Jesus, it's definitely an invitation for you. You know, for twos they love to be with people and so it's difficult for them to have solitude tied by themselves. Right, jesus had solitude. Yeah, we all need solitude. That's fabulous.

Speaker 1 11:43

On the flip side of that, like as a nine and being like a slothful, lazy person, it could be the opposite for me.

Speaker 2 11:49

Yeah. Your shirt would not say help less, that's right. Your shirt would say, uh, damon, yeah, could you get out of bed, do something? Could you get out of bed and go to work?

Speaker 1 11:59

today. Please Get up, go, serve yes.

Speaker 2 12:02

Serve please. That's so funny, oh, but I guess we could say for the two really seeing serving as the end and not a means to an end. So again, if it has this condition, that would say I'm going to. And again, we have to watch the motivation. And that's exactly what Vanessa was saying last week. If our motivation is serving in order to get something and that may be subtle we may not be knowing fully that our motivation is. I'm doing this so I'll get this. Yeah, just I'm going to serve.

Speaker 1 12:32

Well, we're all like that. We're all like that at some level, where our motivations are not ever completely 100% pure.

Speaker 2 12:39

I mean, it's just, it's hard, so it is yeah it is yeah, and so I guess the big picture for the two is just before you do things or before you say yes to something, before you reach out to help, uh, really check your motives, and this isn't something that you have to do just on your own. This could be a space you ask God for help, right? I mean sometimes for two is asking God for help is difficult.

Speaker 1 13:01

Good one, Kelly.

Speaker 2 13:02

Yes, yeah, but you know, I didn't really think about that.

Speaker 1 13:04

Yeah, that's that's okay, that's good. Yeah, I had to pause on that one too.

Speaker 2 13:08

Yes, but you think about David in Psalm 139 when he says search me and show me. And so for a two, just to be able to say God, would you search me and show me? Like what my motive is about this. I remember years ago and again not even knowing anything about the Enneagram this was probably 25 years ago A friend of mine that I knew of back home was just in some financial need with medical situation, and so I was ready just to read a check and send it, and it was a really unique experience.

Speaker 2 13:41

I just felt like God just slowed me down and said I want you to give this 24 hours. And then actually the next day, even though my husband and I had talked about it, we were both on board to give, we both, after giving it 24 hours, just didn't feel like it was what we were supposed to do, which felt so bizarre because it felt like the automatic answer was yes to any time. You know, anybody was in need, and I'm not sure why God stopped us from doing that. I think God, of course, supplied in other ways, but for whatever reason, and so I think it's just this idea for twos of their automatic answer is going to be yes, but just to check in, maybe give it 24 hours before you say yes, check with God, let him lead and guide, because your automatic response is going to be absolutely I'm going to give, I'm going to help, I'm going to serve.

Understanding and Nurturing Type Twos

Speaker 1 14:31

It's such an intentional way of thinking for two. I mean especially when you're natural bent is just not think of I mean you're, I would have to say twos probably aren't really thinking. They're reacting to that because it's life giving, yes, so they're just doing something. That's life giving someone saying help. They're saying yes, I'll help.

Speaker 2 14:50

Right.

Speaker 1 14:50

They're not stopping and saying oh, maybe I, maybe I'll help you, or maybe I won't like I might do that.

Speaker 2 14:56

I might be like I don't know.

Speaker 1 14:58

I'm not. You want help? I don't know.

Speaker 2 15:00

Is it there?

Speaker 1 15:00

someone else yeah.

Speaker 2 15:01

Like someone else in line first. Okay, I guess it's me. I mean.

Speaker 1 15:05

It's terrible for me to say, but I mean they, they're just better.

Speaker 2 15:09

They live to serve. You know, like Vanessa said, like you know, being able to serve her boyfriend who's had surgery, like she was made for this Right, you know. And so, again, I think it is that intentionality and that really thoughtfulness, and twos are very thoughtful but it's also being thoughtful about what God is asking of them. You know, and so pausing, slowing down a little bit, because the truth is, if God isn't really leading them to help, he's going to lead someone else.

Speaker 2 15:38

And so twos and this sounds weird to say might be getting in the way of someone else that God's actually wanting to help, to help.

Speaker 1 15:46

So maybe sometimes you need to help less to be helpful, to help, there you go the t-shirt and whichever way that I can't remember now.

Speaker 2 15:53

Help less to help more Right.

Speaker 1 15:55

Yeah.

Speaker 2 15:56

Yeah, and again for the twos. It is this space of growth, because it really is not being the one that everyone's dependent on, but you're the one that is being dependent on God. You know, and Jesus you know, even as that example, complete dependence on God. There was nothing that Jesus did that he didn't seek his father to ask, and you know, to move in that way that God might have for him.

Speaker 1 16:22

Yeah, I don't think it sounds like we're beating up on twos here, but twos are just so natural at helping in that it's like we're kind of taking it a little bit to an extreme so that they you know, they hear this, it's like we know you're going to get the helping thing right. Yes, the serving thing right. The loving thing right. We know you're going to do that, but in doing so you may be sacrificing some things about you.

Speaker 2 16:45

Yes, yes, for sure. Oh, I mean, as we've said, there is no one who loves, serves, gets people shows up like twos. They are just again such gifts and I think, as a reflection of God's love, probably are the hands and feet of Jesus more than maybe any of the other numbers, because they're just there and provide all that's needed. I guess you know. As we're looking at this, though, too, we want to encourage twos to have those boundaries so they're helping, doesn't hurt or harm.

Speaker 2 17:16

You know, harm not that they would ever think about it as harming others, but you know, harming themselves or again, maybe getting in God's way of what God might have other plans for you know being like we were talking about with Vanessa interdependent versus codependent Right, yeah, and for the twos to. Really it's easy for twos and threes and fours in the heart triad to have their eyes focused out on other people, and so what we're wanting to encourage twos is eyes focused out, but also eyes focused in you know, to really be able to see what those motivations are.

Speaker 1 17:48

And that feels counter to faith, because everything you hear in the Christian world is serve, serve, serve, help, help, help, love, love love, which is all right, right, right. And but for this particular number, who does that without thinking? Typically it's just natural.

Speaker 2 18:06

Yeah.

Speaker 1 18:07

So you're going to love your neighbor a little bit of love. Your love your neighbor as yourself. Exactly when we think about that verse. You know, I think that probably the context of that verse was that it was kind of like of course you're going to love yourself. That's kind of why it's, I think, last.

Speaker 1 18:21

It's like you're just you're, just you know you're going to love God, that's tough. Love, love your neighbor that's tough. And love yourself, of course, right, like you know you do, but with the two it's it's a little different, absolutely. It's kind of like don't forget you.

Speaker 2 18:37

Yes, cause I think you know a core lie that the twos have is that it's not okay for them to have needs.

Speaker 1 18:43

Okay.

Speaker 2 18:44

So loving themselves, like why would I love myself? I don't need, I don't need to love myself, it's just about loving others. But yeah, I think that, you know, is one of the reasons that Jesus gave us those two greatest commandments love God with everything and love your neighbor as you love yourself. So it is a very much a both and kind of thing and, like you said, there's some personalities that are really good at loving self and then there's some that are really good at loving others.

Speaker 1 19:09

Why did you look at me when you said that?

Speaker 2 19:12

I was also saying, like that would be where I would fall to like yeah.

Speaker 1 19:16

Because, I think, most of the other than not. No, I mean no, I mean no.

Speaker 2 19:19

you, Kelly, no, I'm saying I know me enough to know, like that's really easy to love myself.

Speaker 1 19:24

You are going to Jamaica. Well, true To serve oh boy and they're off the air. Okay, let's go.

Speaker 2 19:35

But, you know, confronting that lie. That's because the truth is you do have needs Not you, damon, I mean, I know you know you do. But tos, tos need to realize that, tos, you have needs and those needs are important and God wants to meet your needs and God's going to put others in your life to meet those needs. That's where it's really difficult for a to just to be able to receive other people meeting their needs as well. And so the truth that tos need to embrace is that you are wanted, you are accepted, you are known and loved, First and foremost by God. God wants to pour into you so that you can pour out.

Speaker 2 20:15

Because, again, I think for tos and Vanessa mentioned this last week like hell hath no fury is an unappreciated to. I think we see for tos, that's where they get to. That unhealthy side is they give and they give and they give and then their cup is empty and then either they burn out, they blow up, you know, whatever that might look like. Yeah, so, tos, you are loved and accepted and known by God, period, period.

Speaker 1 20:40

Yeah, don't have to earn it.

Speaker 2 20:41

Nope, that's right.

Speaker 1 20:42

Yeah, Well said Kelly.

Speaker 2 20:43

Yes, so a couple of you know we talk about our practices for the numbers. So we've got the downstream practice. So that's the easy one for for the numbers. So for the two, their downstream practice of one of the spiritual disciplines is hospitality.

Speaker 1 21:00

Easy for them.

Speaker 2 21:01

Yes, they know how to bless others, like no others.

Speaker 1 21:05

That's probably the, then maybe that's one of the spiritual gifts.

Speaker 2 21:09

Yes, that's probably one they might have in their bag Right yeah, opening up their homes, their hearts, giving money, you know, providing things for people, usually behind the scenes A lot of times, just showing up, you know, as you talked about last time to people or your two that showed up with Chick-fil-A.

Speaker 1 21:27

Never forget it.

Speaker 2 21:30

But then also for the two with that practice of hospitality. We want to encourage that to be done not out of compulsion, but more out of just that sense of conviction or that God's leading you to do that. Because if it's out of compulsion, I mean you can even sense the difference in those words, like compulsion means oh, you know, it's kind of this, I don't know. I almost picture like this stirred up, like oh, I've got to do this, versus conviction is okay, this is an invitation.

Speaker 1 21:56

Okay, so compulsion is like a half to half to versus conviction might be more I get to yeah.

Speaker 2 22:04

Okay. And then also for them to serve without expectations of others. So you know this idea that maybe a two in an unhealthy state might give something in order to try to stay maybe in good graces with someone or maybe to have more of a codependent kind of connection with someone. And again, not that they may be fully aware of that, but just I'm going to give without any expectation.

Speaker 1 22:30

Very good for all of us really.

Speaker 2 22:32

Yes, absolutely, and so they're upstream practice. So this one is a little bit more well, it's a lot more difficult. That's why it's upstream. That's right, got to swim upstream.

Speaker 2 22:42

Okay, it's a spiritual practice called centering prayer. All right, what's that? Okay, yeah, so this is something new that I just learned about several years ago, but it's really a prayer of stillness where you're just focused on being with God versus doing, and so really it's a place, even beyond prayer that has a lot of words in it, but it's just a space to surrender, and especially for the two, it's a space to surrender this urge to perform or to do something or have action. So, thomas Keating I don't know if you've heard that name, but he is the one that's really written a lot on centering prayer, and so he gives us four steps that I thought I would share.

Speaker 2 23:26

Got my pen out, yes, and even for the twos, what I would encourage you is to give us a try Again. It may feel wonky or awkward at first, but really in that time of prayer, just to begin with, a minute or so of silence which silence is difficult. I remember once going to a retreat and hearing it was actually Ruth Haley Barton saying you know, really a good spiritual practice is every day. Setting in silence for 20 minutes and a minute felt like it was too much. I was like how do people do this for 20 minutes?

Speaker 1 23:58

I could do it.

Speaker 2 24:00

Maybe, so I can totally do it One minute Easy. All right.

Speaker 1 24:05

Yeah.

Speaker 2 24:05

So you like, for you. Your mind doesn't go other plate. Can you just like set and be still for 20 minutes?

Speaker 1 24:11

Usually I'm asleep, Okay Well.

Speaker 2 24:15

I'm nothing if not honest.

Speaker 1 24:16

Thank you, my mind probably does wonder if the is there. Is there with the centering, I assume the focus is something, because your mind doesn't just go blank, right?

Speaker 2 24:28

Right. So yes, I think I can do that.

Speaker 1 24:30

Okay, 20 minutes is a long time, though I will say.

Speaker 2 24:33

And probably for the nine and so this is probably a real strength for the nine is to be able to do something like silence and centering prayer. Yeah, yeah.

Speaker 1 24:41

For me personally, now, oftentimes this is kind of a doesn't this? We're talking about the two, not the nine, but, like for me, if I'm driving even though there are some things I'm doing like eyes on the road- and all that. It's silent in that. Yes, it is silent in that vehicle.

Speaker 2 24:55

I can do that.

Speaker 1 24:56

I'll shut the radio off. I don't have to have music on or talk or anything like that in the some of the best times.

Speaker 2 25:01

Yeah, good so that may be a downstream practice for you.

Speaker 1 25:04

For me it is anyway.

Speaker 2 25:05

Yeah, that's good, but for the two. So it's giving just a minute of silence and when those thoughts, or when you're to do list or whatever, just those thoughts come to your mind, I've heard it called like they're like monkeys in the trees, you know just, or just imagine it like a cloud, just like passing by, you know, like it's okay, I'm going to get to that after and it really it takes some time to set some boundaries for your, for your brain.

Speaker 1 25:31

I could see that there's a lot of numbers where this would be hard and helpful.

Speaker 2 25:35

Oh, yeah, eight is probably one.

Speaker 1 25:37

I would say three is probably one and one One.

Speaker 2 25:40

Obviously the two ones, yeah, yeah.

Speaker 1 25:44

Nine's, I think we're good. Yeah, no, Nine's are like. We got this. I don't know.

Centering Prayer Practice for Two

Speaker 2 25:48

You're exactly right. You know, when you think about then centering, you want to choose a sacred word as just a symbol of your intention to be with God and his presence, and that you don't have to have any actions. So it could be, you know, a word like love, it could be Jesus, it could be beauty. I mean, it could just be, you know whatever might be a word that you just focus on.

Speaker 2 26:12

So when your mind does start to wonder, you can say Lord or beauty, or something Okay, yeah you know just as that word that you're holding, that and then just to set comfortably, with your eyes closed and just briefly and silently you can say that word and God's presence. It's not something you have to say over and over, but you know, it's just having maybe that rhythm.

Speaker 1 26:35

Still in the first minute here? No, we moved on.

Speaker 2 26:37

Yeah, so after that first minute, this is where you, you know, set in a comfortable position and have that word that you can, oh gotcha, yeah, all right, that's step two.

Speaker 1 26:45

Yes, word Okay.

Speaker 2 26:47

Yeah, and then you just really they encourage to remain in silent prayer for 20 minutes, and so that silent prayer again isn't any other words besides that sacred word, and it's just a centering word because really it's almost a space or not almost, it is a space where God is like pouring into your soul, but like your head and your heart doesn't know what's going on.

Speaker 2 27:10

You know, so it's just a space Of allowing God to really pour into you in some silence, and then, as again, activities or things start to come to your mind, you just center on that word. Okay, and then that's 20 minutes 20 minutes, but what I want to encourage our choose to do is maybe start with five.

Speaker 1 27:28

Yeah, that feels hard. Yes, I mean I was saying, oh, I can do that. No, that feels hard.

Speaker 2 27:33

So doing like your minute of silence, and then trying to do four minutes of this like silent prayer, where you just have a centering word, all right, and then you can do yourself grace, you know, because this is stretching a muscle you haven't used before.

Speaker 1 27:45

Wait, did you say, this is daily?

Speaker 2 27:48

Yeah, yeah.

Speaker 1 27:50

All right.

Speaker 2 27:50

Yeah, again, not to be legalistic about it, but no, no, I mean like yeah, yeah we're saying you know the best case scenario here yes, 20 minutes a day.

Speaker 1 28:01

Well, yeah, I can do it. I'm not going to do it, no, but try five. I'm anything, I'm honest, yes, okay.

Speaker 2 28:08

So that upstream practice for the two that really allows God pouring into them. And you know, I've heard it said and I've even experienced this in my own life when I do something like silence and solitude and have an extended time in silence, I leave different, but I can't really name how I'm different.

Speaker 1 28:28

Okay.

Speaker 2 28:28

But like I maybe have a little more patience or I might feel a little more joy, um, so I would love to is to give it a try and just uh see what you might experience.

Speaker 1 28:40

Well, it's definitely in practice of Jesus. He did once in a while getaway by himself. We'll assume there was silence involved in that Right.

Speaker 2 28:48

Well, especially when he went to the wilderness when there was no one else, right, yeah, mm, hmm, yep, cause we need that solitude, you know, and that's difficult for a two, because they love to be with people, um, and a lot of times can't wait to get out and start helping. But you know, what I would say for the two is if you can give yourself, you know, 10 or 15 minutes a day just for you, this five minutes could be part of that. The other 10 or 15 could be, you know, other invitations. It could be, um again thinking about what uh needs you might have, you know, or how, or maybe you being invited to uh, let God end a little bit more, or to be more dependent on him.

Speaker 1 29:24

That's great, mm. Hmm, wait, was that all four steps?

Speaker 2 29:27

That was all four steps.

Speaker 1 29:28

So choose a sacred.

Speaker 2 29:29

Okay, so, uh, having that uh minute in silence, choosing a sacred word, uh, just that is your intention to be in God's presence and not have action. Um to set comfortably with your eyes closed and say that word when thoughts or um other things come to mind, and then to remain in that silent prayer. We're going to say for five minutes, but I dumbed this.

Speaker 1 29:52

I just I definitely pulled this back there. I'm like she saw the way I looked at her, like my eyes were very like 20 minutes, Okay, Yep.

Speaker 2 30:01

Well, and I know the challenge for all of us would be like who's got 20 minutes to do that. But I would say like oh, we do we do, like, how much time do we spend on things that aren't good for us? Right, I'm speaking to myself.

Speaker 1 30:15

No, there's no doubt that I have 20 minutes to do this. Yes, it's like, will I do it.

Speaker 2 30:19

Right, that's how I spend that time, but yeah, well, and your challenge might be like going to sleep.

Speaker 1 30:24

Well, that's very true, that's very true. But I you know what? I think I could do it if I, if I were driving, I know I could do it.

Speaker 2 30:32

Yeah, yeah, it's just but.

Speaker 1 30:33

I would have to. It would have to be very, very intentional. This isn't just going to be a normal daily practice for me. Uh, because it feels like if if we're doing some sort of time alone with God and this was included in that time alone with God that period is going to be pretty long. Right If you're doing any other kind of reading? Or prayer for others or anything like that, so this I don't know.

Speaker 1 30:56

Anyway, I'm not going to tell people because I don't think there's like a magic formula everybody has to do, I think, whatever draws you close but, this could be a way for you all numbers, or especially the two.

Speaker 2 31:06

Right, and you know, let it be another invitation from God. You know, because I think so often we get so routine in our time with God. If we have time with God, that's like okay, here's my devotion, here's my journal, here's my prayer time. Um, that check check, check, check.

Speaker 1 31:23

Kind of dry yeah.

Speaker 2 31:24

But let this sinning prayer be an invitation for all numbers, but especially for the two of like. Okay, I might uh try this and then just see where God invites me to continue, because it doesn't have to be an every day, but it may be one of those that we're just feeling oh, this is one of those times that I really feel drawn to sinning prayer.

Speaker 1 31:44

Yeah, Well, I'd never heard of that term before and, uh, I feel like the fail is coming my way.

Speaker 2 31:51

Not at all. No failure, yeah, I can do it. I can do it.

Speaker 1 31:54

Yes, five minutes. Yeah, all right, yeah, so that is the two Wow and the relationship with God and that was a lot, yeah, and a lot of good things, a lot of good things really for all of us.

Speaker 2 32:05

Mm, hmm.

Speaker 1 32:06

So yes, wow, and next time we will move on to the number three. Yes, and that's exciting, so, and eventually we'll have a three guest.

Speaker 2 32:15

Right, you will Okay.

Speaker 1 32:17

Not next time.

Speaker 2 32:18

No, we'll do the three For the end of March.

Speaker 1 32:20

Three in relationships and then three three special guests and then three in the relationship with God. Yes, Probably picking up on the pattern.

Speaker 2 32:27

We got a little rhythm going.

Speaker 1 32:28

Point. All right. Thanks everybody for joining us for Enneagram. You will see you next time. Bye Kelly, bye Damon. Tell me what you do With our love in your heart.