Who we are
Paths to Presence is led by Rev. Andrew Bowles (he/him), a Certified Narrative Enneagram Teacher, professional member of the International Enneagram Association, ordained minister, and experienced healthcare chaplain. A student of the Enneagram since 2011, Andrew brings a compassionate and grounded presence to his work as a spiritual companion. He draws on the wisdom of the Enneagram to support personal, professional, and spiritual growth, walking alongside others with curiosity and care as they return to their Being-ness.
The Enneagram reveals the personality structures we’ve developed, often unconsciously, to navigate the world. But it also invites us into something deeper. As Fr. Richard Rohr describes, we each carry an “immortal diamond” — a spark of the Divine within. This deeper reality is sometimes called our True Self, Essence, Presence, or simply Being. However you name it, the invitation remains: to move into that deeper place. It’s not about becoming something new, but awakening to who we’ve always been.
The work of transformation is more than self-improvement in the traditional sense. It’s about remembering and returning — living with greater awareness, compassion, and freedom. And the Enneagram is a map: nine unique paths that lead us home to ourselves.
Andrew holds a B.A. from Baylor University and a Master of Divinity from George W. Truett Theological Seminary. He completed the Professional Certification Program with The Narrative Enneagram in 2025. The Enneagram has been a powerful companion in his own journey, and he is passionate about sharing its wisdom with others.
Before you go, know that I am grateful to work with and learn from people of any spiritual practice or tradition, race, sexual orientation, and gender identity and would be honored with a conversation if you’re unsure about working with an ordained spiritual guide.
“Unless we know the basic mechanics behind the workings of the ego, we won’t recognize it, and it will trick us into identifying with it again and again. The act of recognizing the ego is one of the ways awakening happens. Arising consciousness makes this recognition possible.”
What we do
Typing Consultation - for individuals: For those who are Ennea-curious, but aren’t sure what type they lead with, this is a good 1st step for you. Over the course of a 60-minute conversation, I will ask a series of questions to help uncover your core motivations (the distinction of the Enneagram vs. other personality assessments).
Enneagram Coaching - for individuals: If you’re looking to go deeper in your work with the Enneagram, I offer ongoing consultation to cultivate greater self-awareness, deeper self-compassion, and tools to connect with your Being-ness. Sessions are typically 1 hour.
Enneagram Teaching - for groups: The Enneagram is a powerful system that has the ability to transform teams. As team members better understand themselves, they better understand one another. I will work with your leadership to craft an individualized teaching to cultivate effective communication, collaboration, and compassion. Sessions vary in length from 1/2 day workshops to multi-day retreats.
Why I Use The Enneagram?
There are many reasons why Andrew is drawn to the wisdom of the Enneagram in both personal and professional life. Ever since he first encountered the system, he has been captivated by its complexity, especially in how each type expresses itself so uniquely in the world.
First, the Enneagram gives language to the patterns that emerge when personality takes over. Simply knowing someone’s type reveals a great deal: core motivation, emotional response, unconscious worldview, focus of attention, blind spots, and underlying fears. These insights foster greater emotional intelligence and self-awareness. Our Enneagram type, what we might call our ego or personality, is what tends to show up when we’re on autopilot. In other words, type is what arises when we are not in Presence.
Second, the Enneagram’s focus on motivation was a key reason Andrew found it so compelling. Most personality assessments emphasize behavior alone. But the Enneagram helps us understand the “why” behind what we do. Once we understand that why, real transformation becomes possible. For Andrew, learning his type allowed him to observe his own behavior in light of its deeper motivation, and life began to make more sense.
Third, the Enneagram is a deeply dynamic system. (You can visit the “The Dynamic Enneagram” page for a deeper dive into that.) Andrew appreciates how the energy of our type shows up differently depending on life circumstances. While we each have one dominant type, we also have access to the energy of other types. This dynamism gives the Enneagram a unique “flavor” in each individual’s experience. That’s why Andrew prefers the language of “leading with” a type. Rather than saying “I am a 1/2/3...,” we might say “I lead with [type],” because we are so much more than our personality. Our type shapes how we move through the world, but it doesn’t define the whole of who we are.
Fourth, and perhaps most importantly, the Enneagram cultivates compassion. When we understand the traps and defenses of our personality, we can meet ourselves with more kindness. Instead of beating ourselves up for habitual reactions, we can recognize the pattern, tip our hat to it, and choose something different next time. The Enneagram also helps us extend that same compassion to others. When we realize others experience the world differently than we do, we begin to understand how tension and conflict arise, and how empathy can take root.
The Enneagram is a powerful tool for self-awareness, growth, and transformation. It has been deeply impactful in Andrew’s life, and he’s honored to share its wisdom with you.
If you'd like to learn more about why Andrew uses the Enneagram in his work, feel free to connect using the form below. And if you’re ready to work together, use the links at the top of the page to get started.
About Our Logo
The Paths to Presence logo evokes memories of a labyrinth. What differentiates a labyrinth from a maze is that, in a labyrinth, you can’t get lost. As long as you keep moving, you will find your way to the center. It is not designed to trick you or trip you up. Rather it is about the journey to the center. As in life, it is not an arrival point, but rather a continual opportunity to reconnect with our Essence and strive to live from Presence.
On our logo, we have 9 entry points into our labyrinth. These symbolize the 9 points on the Enneagram. They are our 9 paths that we can take to get to Presence.
As you get near to the center, there are three openings that arrive at our central icon. These represent the three centers of intelligence and the need for balance in all of the triads on the Enneagram. These correspond to points 3, 6, and 9, the anchor types on the central triangle.
Finally, we arrive at the center. Here we find our Presence. This is the core of who we are, away from the trappings of our personality type. Here, we have our Essence, our Being-ness, our True Self, our Presence. In the center of our logo, we have our circle of wholeness, encircling a flame encompassing a moon. The flame represents the continual spark that is always within us. Our Essence will never go away. And the moon reminds us that we often find the most growth in the darkest of times. We can’t have the light without the dark. It is only in the darkest of nights are we able to see the fullness of the stars.
Many thanks to Trail Mix Creative for their assistance and graphic design work.