The Centers of Intelligence are three distinct filters through which we experience the world and what we are as human beings. The Centers operate on autopilot through the personality.

Though we all have access to all three Centers of Intelligence, during our early years, we find that one Center of Intelligence best gets our needs met, and thus, we spend most of our time and energy there. Our dominant Center of Intelligence also becomes the primary lens for filtering and interpreting our experiences.

Intelligence, in this case, does not mean wise but innate. Our mind eagerly scans for affirming experiences, reinforcing our dominant Center's Intelligence or convictions. Each Center's 'Intelligence' functions to protect our basic psychological needs, using rudimentary and predictable emotions to regain equilibrium when threatened. 

While we are particularly sensitive to and identify with one Center of Intelligence, that does not imply it's a high point or forte; on the contrary, desiring predictability, our mind over-filters experiences that most resonate with us through the Center of Intelligence. Regrettably, over time, we limit and wound ourselves by spending too much time in one Center of Intelligence, like we develop overuse injuries from sports overtraining and chronic disease from over-eating.

The Belly Center is our sensate intelligence and intuition. It's initiation, aliveness, and vitality. Anger and rage generate an identity or image that demands autonomy, independence, and respect, creating distortions in instinctual energy. The Belly Center includes points 8, 9, and 1.

The Heart Center is emotional intelligence. It's our capacity for humanity, attunement, and being affected. Shame, distress, and grief create an image or identity that seeks appreciation, validation, and attention. The Heart Center includes points 2, 3, and 4.

The Head Center is intellectual intelligence. It provides cognitive function and mental awareness. Fear and anxiety construct an identity or image that quests for certainty, support, and guidance and struggles with trust and doubt. The Head Center includes points 5, 6, and 7.

More to come ...

Holly Margl is the award-winning author of Witnessing Grief; Inviting Trauma and Loss to Our Coaching Conversations, An Enneagram Perspective, coach, coach mentor, and trainer specializing in grief, trauma, and the Enneagram.