This blog describes one way that the 3 Centers of Intelligence – Head, Heart and Body – can be useful and practical in developing relationships.
Peter O’Hanrahan and I have a new 2-day program titled “Relationships Reimagined” in which we use the 3 Centers of Intelligence as well as type. One premise of the program is that to have conscious relationships, each person in the relationship needs to be as whole and integrated as possible. This means accessing and productively using each of the 3 Centers of Intelligence and using all three in an integrated way.
For each Center of Intelligence, there is a fundamental concept which is also an aspiration. Here’s what they are and how each of these move us closer to the possibility of having more fulfilling relationships.
Body Center: Grounded
Why being grounded matters in fulfilling relationships | Being grounded allows us to be present to ourselves as well as the other person.
Activity | Sitting or standing, feel your feet and wiggle your toes. Feel the quality of liquid gold energy there and allow this to move slowly up your calves, thighs, torso, back, neck, arms, and head. Sit or stand with this liquid gold. Keep this quality of somatic presence within you and slowly guide your attention down to your feet and to where your feet touch the ground. Allow the sensation of roots or energy to go from your feet into the ground. Practice this regularly.
Heart Center: Empathic
Why being empathic matters in fulfilling relationships | Being empathic allows us to feel and express authentic emotions as well as to experience true compassion.
Activity | There are many enjoyable ways to open the Heart Center and increase empathy. One way is to listen to music that specifically access the heart – for example, many country western songs, Chopin for those who like classical music. There is also making sounds from the inside out. The sound Om works well for this. Place your hand over your heart, a make the Om sound so that you feel the sound vibrating from you heart.
Head Center: Mindful
Why being mindful matters in fulfilling relationships | Being mindful allows us to see and value others for who they really are, not for who we imagine them to be.
Activity | Sit, be still, and observe your inner workings. Observe your thoughts, but do not engage them. Observe your feelings, but do not ponder them. Observe your body sensations, and just notice them. Stay alert as you do these.
Ginger Lapid-Bogda PhD, the author of six best-selling Enneagram-business books, is a speaker, consultant, trainer, and coach. She provides certification programs for professionals around the world who want to bring the Enneagram into organizations with high-impact business applications, and is past-president of the International Enneagram Association. Visit her website: TheEnneagramInBusiness.com. ginger@theenneagraminbusiness.com
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