What happens when two powerful paths—Buddhism and the Enneagram—sit down for a conversation?

In this episode, Ian welcomes author and Buddhist teacher Susan Piver (The Buddhist Enneagram) to explore the overlap between these two systems. Susan's new book, The Buddhist Enneagram, offers a fresh lens on personality—not as something to fix, but as something to understand, soften, and ultimately hold with compassion.

This conversation goes beyond personality labels and into something deeper: How your patterns form, why they stick, and how awareness—not willpower—is what actually creates change.

If you've ever felt stuck in your reactions, overwhelmed by your emotions, or quietly convinced you're "doing life wrong," this episode offers a different path forward.

Together, they unpack:

• How the Enneagram and Buddhism overlap (and where they challenge each other)

• The difference between mindfulness and awareness (and why both matter)

• How meditation helps you notice your reactions without being ruled by them

• Why trying to "fix yourself" often backfires—and what works instead

• How Enneagram subtypes shape conflict, connection, and relationships

As always, this isn't about becoming someone else. It's about becoming more fully who you already are—with a little more grace along the way.

 

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About Susan Piver

Susan Piver is a Buddhist teacher, meditation instructor, and author of The Buddhist Enneagram. Her work bridges ancient wisdom and modern psychology, helping people cultivate compassion and awareness in everyday life.

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