Transforming people transform people: An interview with Doug Scott

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Beginning November 2 at Retreat House, Doug Scott, LCSW, will offer a two-part class with Dr. Troy Caldwell providing an overview of Archetypes as well as the Enneagram as two tools connecting individuals to a deeper understanding of themselves, God and the world around them. Doug and Troy initially met for spiritual direction, but after awhile they felt God calling them to transition into a friendship where they began co-creating together through teaching — we are glad they did. Retreat House is delighted to welcome Doug into our community for the first time as we prepare for their upcoming class.

We recently connected with him to learn more about his journey, wisdom and insights regarding the Enneagram.

Check out our conversation:

Retreat House: When did you embrace the contemplative path? And why/how does it resonate with you?

Doug: Since I was a kid, I was always attracted to the mystical life and learning about the lives of people who chose a contemplative lifestyle. Through the Catholic tradition, I had engaged with some contemplative practices such as chant, lectio divina and adoration. However, it wasn't until 2013 that I adopted Centering Prayer as my primary way to practice contemplation. It resonates with me because of its emphasis on practicing kenosis, or letting go (self-emptying), as the central work which then bleeds over into other areas in my daily life through an increased ability to gently let go of a thought or identity when I realize I've made it into an idol of sorts.

Retreat House: How have you used the Enneagram/Archetypes in your work/practices and do you believe it makes space for transformation? If so, how/why?

Doug: I learned the Enneagram style in Nicaragua in 1998 and began teaching it in 2005. Over the years, I've synthesized Richard Rohr's True Self/ False self teaching with the wisdom of the Enneagram in order to give a comprehensive map of how Enneagram Types present from a False Self lens versus a True Self one. It's transformative because the Enneagram shines a spotlight into the unconscious and shows us areas inside of us, our shadow sides, that we haven't been able to see and brings them into conscious awareness so that we are freer to choose how we respond when emotionally catalyzed.

Retreat House: How does this connect to Jungian Archetypes?

Doug: Learning about the Mediatrix and the Warrior archetypes have been helpful for me to put together a synergetic energy between the two into my daily life instead of operating from energy of chaos which can happen when the internal collision of opposites remains unintegrated.

Retreat House: How do Archetypes and the Enneagram work together?

Doug: For me, they are fairly seamless. Once Troy asked me if I wanted to work with him on this presentation, I held the two wisdom traditions together in a kind of tension, without forcing them one upon the other, until I was able to intuit they synthesis. Once that intuition emerged, the synthesis took moments to realize on paper.

Retreat House: The enneagram is a buzz word right now. Some folks tend to use it to box and type folks in an unhealthy way. Insights?

Doug: It's been a buzz word for decades now as the seed that was planted in popular literature bloomed and multiplied into the forest that it is now. People are hungry for depth and mirrors to help us become free to engage life from our True Selves. Living in our True Self is like the pearl of great price but we often don't know how to pass through the eye of the needle to get in there. We instinctively know that there must be a way to live life with greater wholeness (holiness), and we feel that the stakes are high both at the collective and individual levels.

Retreat House: Tell us more.

Doug: When people engage the Enneagram with humility and openness, then it can be a transformative tool. They learn that it can help free themselves and others from the constrictions (or box) or if you prefer the collective and individual false self. But if the Enneagram is treated at the superficial level for superficial things, then it can be weaponized as a tool that positions people over and against others.

Just as St. Thomas Aquinas said back in the 16th century:

“Whatever is received is received at the mode of the receiver.”

— St. Thomas of Auquinas

If we receive the wisdom of the Enneagram at the "mode," or level of consciousness, of the False Self, then we will surely use it to further the False Self's agenda, namely, to increase in some way our power, prestige and possessions.

Retreat House: Would you mind sharing your type?

Doug: I’m an Enneagram: Type 2 and Jungian Archetype mediatrix.

Retreat House: How have you found these tools helpful in your own journey?

Doug: I learned that when I feel the urgency to help someone else, when I feel that need to be needed, I am missing out on identifying what I am needing and thus am trying to meet that need(s) indirectly. When I can surrender to the fact that I deserve to have needs and then express them to myself and others in nonviolent manner, then I am operating from a much more wholehearted place where I can truly help, care, and love others on their terms, rather than my own. That's when I become aware that the gift of the Two is to be more or less a crystalized conduit to bring in God's tenderness and compassion into a hurting world.

Retreat House: What is your hope for this course?

Doug: That people would become curious to explore these facets of self-awareness more. Hopefully, their imaginations could be stimulated and that they could see more clearly a pathway to be of more service in the world. They would embody the saying:

“Transforming people transform people.”

Retreat House: Anything else you want folks to know?
Doug: I live in Carrollton with my wife (Kelly), three kids (Jonah, Leo, and Tessa), and our three four-legged companions: Frankie, Pixie, and Piper.

This article was written by Emily Turner. Part of Emily’s ministry and desire is to facilitate spiritual and emotional healing through listening, loving presence, prayer, and writing. She is a trained spiritual director. Learn more.

Doug Scott, LCSW, attended the University of North Texas and studied Psychology and Spanish. During his sophomore year in college, he studied abroad at ITESM in Monterrey, Mexico. After UNT, he served as an international volunteer in Bluefields, Nicaragua, with the Capuchin Franciscans for two very formative years.

Returning from Nicaragua, he worked at a non-profit organization in Worcester, MA, before going to graduate school at Boston College. He graduated from BC in 2004 with a masters degree in clinical social work and a masters degree in pastoral ministry. Since 2001, Doug have worked as a mental health counselor to English and Spanish speaking individuals, couples, and families.

He spent several years working at the University of Dallas and currently works a few hours a week at the University of Texas in Dallas while spending the rest of his professional time in private practice. Scott has studied under Father Richard Rohr and is passionate about using the enneagram as a tool for healing.