The following exercise is based on the excellent work and fantastic book by Angeles Arrien - Signs of Life - The Five Universal Shapes and How to Use Them. I first did this exercise myself at a Development Group not knowing of its origin, later coming across the book by Angeles when I was reading one of her other titles. I imagine her work is spreading across the globe, and I am sure you will find it an insightful exercise.

Angeles discovered that there are five basic shapes that appear in all cultures, and that all people give similar meanings to these shapes. There is a connection between the preference we have for certain shapes and our inner-state. That is, shapes are external symbols for what is going on inside us (our worldview). To undertake this exercise is to help awaken and further your understanding of yourself.

Let’s make a start..

Important: Go through each of these steps in sequence. Do not read ahead.

Step 1: Draw the shapes

Draw the following shapes in the following order:

Circle, square, triangle, cross, spiral, like this:

Step 2:Give your preference

Making a note underneath each shape, number them 1 to 5 in order of your preference – 1 being the most preferred, 5 being the least preferred. Go with your initial instinct. Do not spend time thinking about it.

You should now have five shapes, and each shape has been assigned a number 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, which tells you what your preference is for that shape, in comparison to the others.

Step 3:Some reading

Read and understand the meaning of the shapes

Circle = wholeness

Square = stability

Triangle = goals and dreams

Cross = relationships

Spiral = growth

Step 4: Some more reading 

Read and understand the meaning of the positions

The position, or preference you gave to each number is relevant.

Preference 1. Where you think you are. Your most preferred position. What you are most aware of right now. Where you are most comfortable. BUT. This does not mean where you actually are

Preference 2. Your strengths. Whether you know it or not, this is the strength that you demonstrate without effort. This is part of your nature that is currently strong and that you are using to assist in the growth of preference 3.

Preference 3. Whilst you have ranked this as your 3rd preference, this shape is very significant. This is where you actually are right now. This is what is going on for you right now, most likely subconscious and without knowing.

Preference 4. Your motivation. Past challenges, tests and circumstances that have motivated your current process of change and brought you to where you are right now in position three. You may have resolved or moved beyond the things that are in this position.

Preference 5. Old, unfinished business. Least preferred. That which you have outgrown, dislike, resist or judging. Unresolved issues that you now wish to put aside. You will reclaim at a later date, this is not what you need to work on in the present.

Step 5: Intrepreatation

Interpret your results:

Circle

The circle is about wholeness, independence, seeking identity, standing strong in who you are as an individual. Need for space, love and respect. Fear of entrapment. If you know someone going through this, give them space, let them contact you.

If the circle is:

Preference 1. Your desire for independence currently has your attention.

Preference 2. The journey of individuality is effortless to you.

Preference 3. The process of individuation is happening right now for you.

Preference 4. A past journey of finding your individuality has motivated you to become self-reliant.

Preference 5. You may be resisting or denying this process. What areas do you need to be more courageous? What would you do if you had a strong sense of self?

Square

Stability and security, process and hard-work. Four corners, four directions, four seasons, the foundations for life. Actions speak louder than words. Great for getting things done but a tendency to control and be impatient with others.

Preference 1. Stability and authenticity are important to you right now.

Preference 2. Your inherent strengths are responsibility and the ability to be fully committed.

Preference 3. Stability is occurring at the core of your nature right now.

Preference 4. Past issues around accountability and responsibility have led you to where you are now.

Preference 5. You may be denying the process of stability and responsibility. How can you integrate stability, responsibility and process into your life without compromising what is important to you right now?

Triangle

Goals, visions, dreams. Those of you in this process will feel loved and accepted when others share your dreams and goals. The triangle is the shape for attainment and new possibilities.

Preference 1. The process of setting a vision and goals is important to you right now.

Preference 2. You carry the gift of vision naturally.

Preference 3. This process of envisionment is central to your current development.

Preference 4. Your own process of following dreams has motivated you to make meaningful changes and moved you to where you are now, as designated by the symbol in your position three.

Preference 5. You may be resisting the process of honoring your dreams and setting goals. Why is this? Do you know how to set goals?

The cross

Relationship. The sign symbolizes the process of relationship and integration. It is about balance. This sign carries the need for connection – to a project, to another person, to yourself. Honor time for shared activities. Fear of loss and abandonment.

Preference 1. Relationships is what is most important to you right now.

Preference 2. The shared journey is effortless. You build relationships easily, you communicate well.

Preference 3. The relationship process is occurring right now.

Preference 4. A past shared journey has inspired you to become more attentive to partnership and teamwork

Preference 5. You may be ignoring the importance of partnership and relationships in your life.

Spiral

Growth and evolution. You will see the same things in a different light. Strong need for variety, novelty and change. Dread routine. Capable of doing multiple tasks well. Flexibility is important. Creative phase.

Preference 1. Process of growth is most important to you

Preference 2. Easy and effortless for you to handle change

Preference 3. You are currently engaged in the process of change

Preference 4. Challenged in the past to make significant changes in your life. Doing this work has prepared you for what you have placed in position 3.

Preference 5. You are unlikely to show interest in growth and change at this time.

Step 6: Consider and reflect

Consider the relationships between the shapes and the preferences you have given them.

Tensions exist between the processes of 1 and 5. For example a spiral in 1 and square in 5 shows that you may yearn for change, but part of you is attached for stability and security and as a result may feel unwilling to make the change.

Preference 3 is the key to resolving the conflict between the positions 1 and 5. For example, if you have a square in position 1, and a spiral in position 5 and a circle in position 3, your desire for stability (square in 1) is in conflict with your unacknowledged need for change (spiral in 5), the key to resolution is in supporting your current need for independence (circle in 3).

Look out for the book Signs of Life, to learn more!