The Enneagram & The Light
Cultivating Inner Spaciousness using the Enneagram Map and Supporting the Light Arising Within
A new 8 part online series
Begins February 18, 2026
Answering the Call to the Light Within
We’re delighted to invite you into this upcoming SDI series, guided by Enneagram wisdom teacher and author Sandra Smith and led in collaboration with Erlina Edwards and Dina ElBadry—two teachers whose depth, wisdom, and lived experience make this work especially rich. Together, we’ll explore how the Enneagram can serve as a compassionate and transformative path for spiritual companions and directors, and those they work with.
The poet Hafiz once wrote, “I wish I could show you the astonishing light of your own being.” That line captures the heart of spiritual companionship. We are not here to manufacture light for others, but to help them recognize—and trust—the light that is already present.
This is where the Enneagram, approached with care and curiosity, becomes a powerful ally. At its best, the Enneagram reveals both how we obscure our own light and how we might return to it. It offers a clear and compassionate map of our inner terrain—but real transformation begins only when we engage the deeper patterns beneath our type.
Knowing your Enneagram type is the trailhead; this series is an invitation to take the hike along the path to your True Self.
“The Enneagram, I would like to suggest, is a parabolic form of teaching. It subverts our unconscious and truly ‘mythical’ worldview so that God can get in.”
–Fr. Richard Rohr
Together We'll Explore
- The false narratives and habitual patterns that quietly shape our lives and relationships
- How loosening our surface identification with our type opens the door to love and freedom
- The spiritual dimension of each Enneagram type, including its enlightened perspective and guiding virtue
- The essential role of self-compassion in sustaining deep inner work
This work matters deeply for those of us who guide others toward fuller, more loving lives. It also matters beyond our personal formation. Inner work is the foundation of compassionate engagement in the world. When we avoid it, we risk becoming reactive and self-righteous. When we commit to it, we grow in humility, presence, and love.
This is not surface-level Enneagram work. It asks for honesty, devotion, and the courage to face patterns that may be uncomfortable. At times, it can be painful. But held within community—and grounded in compassion—it becomes a path back to clarity, freedom, and light.
SDI has long been a place where this kind of work is held with depth and care. In this series, you’re invited into a community of practitioners committed to inner transformation, mutual learning, and shared discernment. When we do this work together, the light grows.
If you feel drawn beyond knowing your type toward living more freely within and beyond it, we warmly invite you to join us.
👉 Register now to be part of this reflective, challenging, and life-giving series.
Who is this course for?
A deep dive for spiritual directors and companions, this course will not offer an introduction to the Enneagram. Those with previous knowledge and experience utilizing the Enneagram are encouraged to participate!
Course Faculty
Sandra Smith
We are thrilled to have renowned Enneagram author, teacher and spiritual director Sandra Smith offering facilitation for this series. With over 23 years of experience teaching the Enneagram, Sandra is an accredited International Enneagram Association Professional and certified in the Narrative Enneagram Tradition. Sandra has presented at numerous International Enneagram Association Conferences in the USA as well as Canada, and been a speaker at several SDI conferences, addressing the intersection of personality and spirituality.
She co-hosts the podcast Heart of the Enneagram and her first book The Enneagram Map to Your Deeper Self: Living Beyond Your Type, by Hampton Roads Publishing, was released in September, 2024.
Learn more about her work by visiting her website AlchemyWorksEvents.com
Erlina Edwards
Erlina Edwards, passioned by her business interests and spiritual pursuits, is known to many as an Organizational Builder and Enneagram Practitioner. Driven by her commitment to Human Potential Development, she successfully built sustainable organizations to advance emotional intelligence and overall psychological wellness. Erlina Edwards initially earned her Enneagram certification through The Enneagram School of Narrative Tradition and is professionally certified through the IEA. Erlina is an International Interfaith Seminary graduate, an accredited Spiritual Director, and a certified IDEA Consultant (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racist). Erlina also holds accredited academic certifications that have advanced and broadened her business and spiritual studies. She is the Co-Executive Director of The Narrative Enneagram School and runs a private spiritual consulting practice; she lives in Tucson, Arizona, with her husband, Gene.
Dina ElBadry
Dina ElBadry is an IEA accredited professional and Founder & Head Teacher at The Enneagram Academy, Egypt. She works with Chestnut Pães Academy As Head Mentor Worldwide & Staff member in Africa and Europe. Dina studied the Gurdjieff work and she teaches the CP levels of awareness model that’s based on both Gurdjieff & Sufi Work.
Session Outline
Session 1: February 18 - Sandra Smith
An invitational session where all group participants are welcomed to share with each other their questions and hopes for the course.
Session 2: February 25 - Sandra Smith
Learn about the vice and “subvice” (based on inner soul child) as a deeper dive into the Enneagram type structure.
Session 3: March 4 - Sandra Smith
Discussion on open-hearted living and its many virtues.
Session 4: March 11 - Dina ElBadry
Session 5: March 18 - Dina ElBadry
Session 6: March 25 - Erlina Edwards
Learn about the ego ideal and core avoidance of each of the Enneagram types.
Session 7: April 1 - Erlina Edwards
Ways to utilize the Enneagram to engage thoughtfully with the BIPOC community in spiritual direction.
Session 8: April 8 - Sandra Smith
Using the Enneagram in spiritual direction with the LGBTQ+ community and opportunities to share lingering questions with the group.
Schedule
Eight live weekly 90 minute sessions, Wednesdays beginning February 18, 2026 at 1-2:30pm Pacific Time. (12 hour total duration.)
Find your own local time here.
This series has been scheduled to be convenient to as many people around the world as possible. With that said, if that timing doesn’t work, you can enjoy the webinar any time you like.
Each session is recorded so you can watch at your convenience.
Additional Information
- Participants from all spiritual traditions and orientations are welcome in this webinar series. Prior knowledge of the Enneagram will be helpful, and the content will be geared towards spiritual companions and their interest in employing the Enneagram in their work.
- This course is not "Intro to The Enneagram" so if you are not familiar with its core concepts, we recommend you have additional resources to concurrently aid in your learning.
- Each session will run 90 minutes. We understand that the timing of the seminar will not be convenient in every time zone on the planet. For those who have trouble making this time, a recorded copy of each session will be made available to all those who sign up.
- CEU credits are available for all those who participate. SDI will provide a certificate of completion for self-reporting to agencies. More information can be found here: continuing education units (CEUs).
- Cost: $189 or less for SDI Members. If you are not an SDI Member you are welcome to attend!
- Scholarships are available for those facing financial hardship. Please apply here.
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