Enneagram Part 4: Centers of Intelligence
Whereas the 16 Types (Myers-Briggs®) system is based solely on cognition, or mental processes, the theory behind the Enneagram is that we have three “brains,” or centers of intelligence. The three centers include the body, the heart, and the mind. Assuring access to all three centers allows you to be more balanced and well-rounded as an individual as well as in your interactions with others.
Body Center
As the name implies, the Body (or gut) Center, provides intelligence, knowledge, and insight that comes from the body. This gut-based knowledge is an instinctive knowing that moves you toward action or inaction. When working in a healthy way, this gut-knowing moves you toward the right and practical action. In addition to initiating action, the Body Center allows you to sense things in your body and to learn kinesthetically from the environment.
When used in an unhealthy or impulsive way, this center can keep you from changing your position, whether that means continuing to move unconsciously down the same path or keeping you stuck in the same spot.
The Enneagram types based in the Body Center are 8s, 9s, and 1s.
Heart Center
The Heart Center provides heart-based intelligence, knowledge, and insight from your emotions. Using your heart-based knowledge allows you to connect to and feel your emotions and learn from them. Healthy use of the heart center allows you to connect with others on an emotional level and experience empathy for the emotional responses of others.
When overused or used in an unhealthy way, the Heart Center can cause emotional manipulation, extra sensitivity, or an insensitivity to others.
The Enneagram types based in the Heart Center are 2s, 3s, and 4s.
Head Center
The Head Center provides intelligence, knowledge, and insight from cognitive activities such as your thoughts and beliefs. Additionally, the Head Center helps with activities such as visualization, reasoning, and analysis. This center also helps with planning, gaining a logical view of things, and thinking of new ideas.
When overused or used in an unhealthy way, the Head Center can create analysis paralysis.
The Enneagram types based in the Head Center are 5s, 6s, and 7s.
Bringing Balance to Your Centers
Depending on your Enneagram type, you will tend to overuse one center over the other two. This means that you’ll tend to reach for the same tool, even if it’s not the right tool for the job. For example, when interacting and connecting with someone, the best tool for the job is the Heart Center. The intelligence from the Body Center is best to help you get into action, and the Head Center intelligence is best for reasoning.
Once you determine your Enneagram type, you’ll know which center is likely to override the others (if you want help wit this, apply for an Enneagram Level 1 package). For example, a heart type (2, 3, or 4) may need to get something done, but instead may get pulled toward a relationship instead by connecting with a friend or partner.
Begin to observe all the ways in which your center dominates your life, and identify times in which one of the other centers would have been a better tool for a job. This kind of awareness automatically increases your ability to take control of the direction of your life.
After you reflect and observe on the Center of Intelligence that you overuse, intentionally engage in activities to bring up your other two centers:
To activate your Body Center Intelligence, get into your body through body movements, exercise, or a body scan meditation.
To activate your Heart Center Intelligence, identify and connect to your emotions through music or connect to someone on an emotional level.
To activate your Head Center Intelligence, identify and logically analyze your thoughts or beliefs about a situation. Ask yourself, “Is this objectively true?”
The Enneagram offers many ways to expand your view of what’s possible in your life. Bringing greater balance to your Centers of Intelligence is another path to become more purposeful and conscious in your daily life.
Are you ready to create a life focused on what matters most by identifying your Enneagram personality type?
This series of articles about the Enneagram personality system is intended to give you an understanding of some valuable tools available to you through discovering your Enneagram type. If you want to accurately identify your Enneagram personality so that you can better understand yourself and create a life filled with daily purposeful and intentional actions that align with who you are, let’s work together!
You can apply for the Enneagram Level 1 package by clicking the button below.
Read more about working with the Enneagram system here.