Pedro Senhorinha Silva’s journey of transformation, belonging, and bringing the Enneagram to others
For Pedro Senhorinha Silva, becoming a Certified Narrative Enneagram Teacher has been about much more than completing an educational program. It has been a journey of self-discovery, spiritual transformation, resilience, and belonging—made possible, in part, through the generosity of The Narrative Enneagram’s scholarship program.
Pedro’s path has been anything but conventional. Raised in a fundamentalist Christian environment, he eventually served for approximately 12 years as a minister in the United Church of Christ. Today, he is pursuing ministry in the Unity tradition while working at Unity Columbine Spiritual Center in the Boulder, Colorado area.
Along the way, the Enneagram became an important companion in his personal and professional development.
Pedro initially resisted the Enneagram when it was introduced by a therapist and supervisor. His perspective changed after encountering the teachings of Joey Stabile, whose approach helped him appreciate the deeper motivations underlying human behavior.
What began as curiosity eventually became a calling.
A Scholarship That Opened a Door
Encouraged by his relationship with The Narrative Enneagram’s Executive Director Adam Bailon, who also served as a minister in the Boulder area, Pedro began his Narrative Enneagram studies in early 2023.
However, pursuing Teacher Certification presented significant financial challenges. Having resigned from his previous pastorate and navigating a period of personal and professional transition, Pedro lacked the resources to complete the program independently.
A Narrative Enneagram scholarship helped make that opportunity possible.
“Without the scholarship, I simply would not have been able to complete my certification. I was going through a major transition in my life and ministry, and the financial support opened a door that otherwise would have remained closed.”
Yet financial assistance was only part of what made Pedro’s experience transformative.
He found an equally meaningful gift in the relationships and sense of community that developed throughout his training. Pedro speaks appreciatively of Kindred, the affinity group that supports Black students who are pursuing certification. The group is led by Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Advisor Erlina Edwards, who also serves as a Typing and Teacher Coach.
Pedro’s experience illustrates an essential dimension of The Narrative Enneagram’s commitment to expanding access to the Enneagram.. Opening doors to educational opportunities is important, but creating a community where individuals feel welcomed, supported, and valued is equally vital.
For Pedro, belonging wasn’t simply an organizational aspiration. It was something he experienced firsthand.
“The scholarship made the training possible, but the relationships I developed along the way helped me persevere. My Kindred group gave me a sense of support and belonging that was especially meaningful during some very difficult times.”
Discovering Strength Through Vulnerability
Pedro identifies as an Enneagram Type Eight with a prominent Seven wing and leading with the one-to-one subtype. Growing up in a difficult neighborhood, he developed a strong protective instinct and learned to confront challenges directly.
Through his Enneagram studies, Pedro began recognizing how those patterns shaped his relationships, particularly his tendency toward intensity and anger.
More importantly, he discovered that strength and vulnerability need not be opposites.
“I’ve been mindful of vulnerability but not the idea that I could be protected. I had the instinct to protect others but didn’t expect to receive it or think to ask for it.”
His growing self-awareness has helped him become more intentional about expressing tenderness, allowing vulnerability, and deepening his relationships with his wife and children.
That understanding became particularly meaningful following the tragic loss of his brother in December 2025. Rather than retreating emotionally during his grief, Pedro drew upon his Enneagram learning to remain connected and vulnerable with those closest to him.
For Pedro, the Narrative approach has been especially powerful because it emphasizes personal stories and the motivations beneath our behaviors. Listening to others describe their lived experiences has deepened his understanding of both himself and the people he serves.
In June 2026, Pedro completed his Teacher Certification, a significant accomplishment made even more meaningful by the personal challenges he navigated along the way.
Carrying the Work Forward
Today, Pedro integrates the Enneagram into his ministry, supervisory responsibilities, and spiritual consulting. He uses the system to help individuals better understand their internal landscapes and, in his words, “lean into their greater knowing.”
His work reflects the multiplying impact of The Narrative Enneagram’s scholarship program.
By helping one individual gain access to training and certification, The Narrative Enneagram creates opportunities for that learning to reach others who may never otherwise encounter the Enneagram.
Pedro brings his distinctive spiritual journey, life experiences, and commitment to personal growth into the communities he serves. In doing so, he contributes another valuable perspective to the growing diversity of Certified Narrative Enneagram Teachers.
Expanding the Tent, Transforming Lives
Pedro’s story reflects the heart of The Narrative Enneagram’s larger-tent vision: welcoming different perspectives, honoring individual experiences, and creating opportunities for more people to participate in—and contribute to—our community.
Following a recent Experiencing the Narrative Enneagram weekend, Executive Director Adam Bailon reflected on what makes this educational approach distinctive: the profound impact of hearing personal stories, investigating type with compassion and curiosity, and understanding that type is about motivation rather than simply behavior.
Pedro’s experience brings those principles to life.
As The Narrative Enneagram’s fall matching-gift campaign invites our community to deepen and broaden the impact of this work, Pedro’s story offers a meaningful example of the power of the Enneagram to transform lives..
A group of generous donors have pledged a $25,000 matching challenge. When you donate between now and November 13, your gift will be doubled. Together, we have the opportunity to raise more than $50,000 to support scholarships and other key initiatives.
For Pedro, a scholarship opened the door to Professional Certification. The relationships he developed along the way provided encouragement and belonging. And the Narrative approach helped him discover new ways of understanding himself and connecting with others.
Today, he is sharing those gifts with the people and communities he serves.
That is the promise of a larger tent: When we make room for one more person, we create opportunities for that person’s gifts to touch countless other lives.
