Claudio Naranjo

Dream symbolism ... is a message from our depths, but only when we understand its language and recognize it as our own expression.

Summary

Claudio Naranjo is a Chilean-born anthropologist and psychiatrist who is noted for his inter-disciplinary work with mind-altering substances as well as the Enneagram of Personality and Gestalt Psychotherapy.

Rolando Toro worked directly with Claudio Naranjo, this opened up a horizon for Rolando - the global vision of human beings as Ill from Civilisation (see Definition of Biodanza and Theoretical Model).

Ideas

• Enneagram of Personality - describes nine distinct personality types and their relationships.
• Gestalt Psychotherapy - An existential and experiential psychotherapy that focuses on the individual's experience in the present moment.

Enneagram of Personality

• The Enneagram is a personality typing system used in psychology.
• It is a nine-pointed figure, with each point representing one of nine basic personality types:
  • Perfectionist/ Reformer - I do everything the right way.
  • Helper/ Giver - I must help others.
  • Performer/ Motivator - I need to succeed.
  • Indivdualist/ Romantic - I am unique.
  • Observer/ Thinker - I need to understand the world.
  • Loyalist/ Skeptic - I am affectionate and skeptical.
  • Visionary/ Enthusiast - I am happy and open to new things.
  • Challenger/ Leader - I must be strong.
  • Mediator/ Peacemaker - I am at peace.
• The Enneagram is intended as a tool of self-discovery, the idea being that one can recognize and avoid the pitfalls of unhealthy behavior patterns by learning about one's type and how it typically responds to stresses.
• Recent research in neuroscience suggests biological evidence for the Enneagram.

Gestalt Psychotherapy

• Gestalt psychotherapy is a form of Humanistic Therapy and is influenced by Psychoanalytical theory.
• Practitioners focus on here-and-now experiences, in order to remove the obstacles of behaviour patterns created by past situations.
• Roughly translated as 'Whole', the Gestalt approach stresses the need of wholeness between mind, body and soul.
• Gestalt therapists seek to address conflicts that may prevent this perceived harmony.
• Gestalt psychotherapy can help improve a client's self-awareness and to break negative behaviour patterns.
• It is useful for treating anxiety, bereavement and depression.