The Spiritual Exercises, Neuroscience, and the Enneagram: A Path to True Transformation
We Were Made to Flourish, But Our First Instinct Is Survival
I’m delighted to introduce Debbie Owen, a friend and expert in spiritual formation. Debbie uses the Enneagram extensively in spiritual formation and finds its integration with all things Ignatian, including the Spiritual Exercises. Debbie has then brought that into contact with neuroscience considerations. It’s a fascinating article.
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By Deborah Owen
We all long to live flourishing, connected lives—to love and be loved deeply, to grow spiritually, and to live with a sense of freedom. We desire relationships marked by trust, joy, and peace.
Yet, despite our best intentions, we often find ourselves reacting in ways that cause us pain and injure our relationships.
Why do we get stuck in these painful patterns? Because our brain’s first reaction is survival. We default to self-protection—physically, emotionally, and socially.
These instincts serve us well in times of real danger, but when they rule our lives, they keep us from the very thing we were created for: flourishing relationships—with God, others, and ourselves.
Our default setting is to prioritize safety, control, and self-protection. In moments of challenge, our first instinct is usually to preserve what we know rather than step into the unknown.
This explains why we so often live from fear instead of faith, from anxiety instead of trust, and from control instead of surrender.
Doing What We Don’t Want to Do
The Bible tells us that we are made in the image of a relational God (Genesis 1:26-27), designed for love, connection, and community. Jesus makes it clear: the greatest commandments are to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37-39).
Yet, we struggle to do this well. When life gets hard, we pull away from relationships and retreat into old survival patterns.
As Paul writes in Romans 7:15, something we often say to ourselves: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do."
Why? Because when we feel threatened—physically, emotionally, or relationally—our brain takes over. It pushes us into survival mode, relying on old patterns of protection instead of openness and trust.
But we don’t have to remain stuck in those uncomfortable patterns; God also created our brains with neuroplasticity—the ability to change and grow. We were designed to be transformed.
This is where the Neuro-based Enneagram (based on Dan Siegel’s Patterns of Developmental Pathways, or the PDP model) helps us understand how we get stuck.
In this model we recognize that there are three core patterns of motivation and reaction. We all tap into all three, but most people lean into one core motivation more naturally than the others.
Without going into too much detail in this post, we can still see how these unconscious reactions can either be “sweet spots” that help us flourish or, when thoughtlessly allowed too much sway, “blind spots” that interfere in our relationships:
Agency (Enneagram “gut” patterns 8, 9, 1) → Seeks control; reacts with frustration or anger when thwarted.
Bonding (Enneagram “heart” patterns 2, 3, 4) → Seeks connection; reacts with separation distress or sadness when rejected.
Certainty (Enneagram “head” patterns 5, 6, 7) → Seeks security; reacts with anxiety or fear when uncertain.
The false self clings to these reactions because we've learned that they can keep us “safe.” But in Christ, instead of unconsciously reacting, we are called to a different way of living—thoughtfully and intentionally choosing to respond in trust, surrender, and love.
This is why the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius are so powerful—they take us on a journey with God that disrupts survival mode and retrains us to receive God’s love and freedom in Christ, living from faith, not fear.
What Are the Spiritual Exercises?
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius are a structured journey of prayer, reflection, and transformation designed to help us grow in union with God. To do that, we:
Deepen our intimacy with Christ
Break free from false attachments and self-protection
Discern God’s will with clarity and peace
Live with greater joy and purpose
They are not merely “exercises” in the modern sense. They are a way of encountering God that leads to radical transformation. Traditionally, they are completed either as a 30-day silent retreat or in a longer format incorporated into daily life (the 19th Annotation).
The Exercises are divided into an Introduction plus Four Weeks, each with a specific spiritual focus.
The Five Stages of Transformation in the Spiritual Exercises
Each "Week" is not a literal seven-day period but a stage of transformation. Ignatius structured them as a journey through the life of Christ, mirroring our own journey of spiritual renewal: self-awareness and self-reflection, leading to self-knowledge.
Before Week 1: Preparing the Heart for Transformation
Before diving into deep self-examination, the Exercises begin with preparation—a time of stilling the soul, deepening trust, and resting in God's love.
We cannot face our weaknesses or attachments without first knowing we are fully known and loved by God. Ignatius invites us to begin by reflecting on God’s goodness, faithfulness, and personal love. Just as Jesus heard at the outset of His ministry, "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Mark 1:11), we, too, must first hear and receive God’s love before moving into the deeper work of transformation.
Key Grace Sought: A felt experience of God’s unconditional love and delight.
Neuroscience Connection: This phase establishes secure attachment, rewiring the brain to rest in safety, belonging, and love before engaging in self-examination.
Week 1: Seeing Our False Self and Our Need for Grace (Self-Awareness)
The Fall (Genesis 3) reveals how sin distorts identity. Adam and Eve, once secure in God’s love, hide in fear. This week, we uncover how our own fears, wounds, and false attachments have shaped our lives.
Biblical Theme: The Fall of Humanity (Genesis 3)—where sin distorts identity, and we hide from God instead of abiding in Him.
Key Grace Sought: A deep awareness of God’s mercy and our need for healing.
Neuroscience Connection: This week helps us recognize survival-based patterns and how they keep us from true freedom.
Week 2: Following Christ and Reordering Our Desires (Self-Reflection)
In the second week, we shift from self-protection to discipleship. Jesus calls the first disciples (Matthew 4:18-22), inviting them to leave behind their old lives and follow Him. This week, we ask: What is Christ calling me to let go of so I can follow Him fully?
Key Grace Sought: The courage to say yes to Christ’s invitation, reordering our desires toward Him.
Neuroscience Connection: This stage begins rewiring our identity toward a trust-based rather than fear-based life.
Week 3: Entering Christ’s Passion & Letting Go (Self-Knowledge)
The third week is the most difficult and transformative. We enter into Christ’s suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46). As He releases His will into the Father’s hands, we are invited to release the false self and confront our true self. This is the place of surrender.
Key Grace Sought: The ability to let go of what holds us back and trust God in suffering.
Neuroscience Connection: This week strengthens our ability to stay present in suffering instead of escaping into old habits.
Week 4: Living in the Resurrection (True Freedom)
The final week brings us into the joy of resurrection (John 20). We learn to live fully alive in Christ, no longer ruled by fear, but by love. We are invited to live with joy, mission, and freedom beyond fear.
Key Grace Sought: To experience the fullness of life in Christ and step into our God-given calling.
Neuroscience Connection: This final stage solidifies new neural pathways for joy, trust, and mission.
The Neuro-Based Enneagram Brings Clarity
The Neuro-Based Enneagram helps us understand where we get stuck—the patterns of fear, attachment, and self-protection that shape our reactions. But the Spiritual Exercises provide the pathway to transformation, allowing us to move beyond survival mode into the freedom of Christ.
Each stage of the Exercises reorders the false self, rewiring the brain for love rather than fear:
Before Week 1: Teaches us to rest in secure attachment to God, healing our resistance to love.
Week 1: Exposes our default personality survival strategies—helping us recognize when we cling to agency, bonding, or certainty, at the expense of trust, vulnerability, and peace.
Week 2: Calls us beyond those strategies to follow Christ more freely.
Week 3: Helps us let go of what we cling to for security.
Week 4: Solidifies new neural pathways for joy, trust, and mission.
The transformation process doesn’t erase our personality patterns, but it redeems them—aligning our deepest motivations with God’s love and purpose.
Now, with this awareness of our patterns and the pathway to transformation, by the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, how do we actively live into this change?
This is where The ARK of Integrity becomes our daily practice.
The ARK of Integrity
Integrity is the state of being whole and undivided. As we put off our false self and live into the authentic person God created us to be, we become whole, of one piece. We need self-Awareness + self-Reflection to draw closer to self-Knowledge.
Self-Awareness – “Oh, look, I’m doing THAT thing again!”
Self-Reflection – What triggered me? What false self is at work?
Self-Knowledge – As I know myself better, how do I now CHOOSE to respond in Christ’s love?
Made in God's image, when we know ourselves better, we also begin to know God better. As a result, we become more deeply attached to God as our care-giver.
And as we grow more attached and in alignment with God’s love for us, His desires and values become our own. We discover the meaning of Psalm 37:4: “Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
This process takes prayer and grace, but it gradually rewires our identity in Christ.
Final Thoughts
As we journey through the complexities of our spiritual and emotional lives, we are reminded that transformation is not only possible but essential for flourishing relationships with God, others, and ourselves.
The Spiritual Exercises and the insights from the Neuro-Based Enneagram offer us powerful tools to break free from survival mode and embrace a life of love and connection.
Consider this:
What old patterns are you ready to let go of in order to step into the fullness of life that Christ offers?
How might you incorporate the practices of self-awareness, self-reflection, and self-knowledge into your daily routine to foster deeper intimacy with God?
How is God inviting you into greater freedom today?
Embrace the invitation to grow, trust, and surrender; your journey toward true transformation is just beginning.
Struggling with “blind spot” patterns in these difficult days? I'd be happy to speak with you.
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More about Debbie
Website: https://insideoutministries.info/
Contact: Debbie@DeborahCOwen.com
Follow her on Substack:
At life's crossroads, clarity and courage are essential. Deborah Owen, a transformational leadership coach, spiritual director, and retreat leader, guides you through these pivotal moments, bridging the gap between where you are and where you're called to be. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Leadership degree at Portland Seminary, Debbie's approach is both practical and spiritually informed. She integrates certifications in spiritual formation, spiritual direction, and diverse coaching modalities, including the Enneagram and mindset coaching, creating a holistic path to personal growth.
Debbie's diverse background fuels her unique approach. Master's degrees in Choral Conducting and Library and Information Science, coupled with nearly 30 years directing church choirs and a dozen years as an award-winning public school library teacher, have honed her ability to foster community, craft engaging experiences, and inspire connection. As Music Director at her church in Maine, she is able to weave music and ministry into transformative retreats. Her leadership extends beyond music, with years of experience as a church elder, leader, and volunteer.
An accomplished author and podcaster, Debbie's forthcoming book, Inside Out: Experiencing New Life in Christ Through Integrated Discipleship, explores profound self-discovery leading to deeper relationships with God, self, and others. This, along with her work on the Neuro-Based Enneagram, reflects her commitment to empowering others to embrace their potential. Debbie accompanies you and the Holy Spirit on a journey of discovery and transformation, where you can forge bold, courageous leadership and flourish in a challenging world.
Debbie, her husband, and their two flat-coated retrievers live in Maine, USA, enjoying lakeside life, the woods, and downhill skiing. They have three grown children, a daughter-in-law, and two young granddaughters who are the lights of their lives.
I love how sometimes, an email gets a bit buried in the inbox and you uncover it at the perfect time.
Would I be right to assume that Debbie’s website is the place to go to dig in more? The Enneagram and Attachment bit called me out and I’m needing to delve in.