Introduction
This is a reworked description of the three centers. It substantially differs from the usual presentations. It includes elements from various authors (Riso & Hudson…) and from Ichazo.
If you read the article Subtypes by Ichazo carefully, you will notice that what Ichazo calls instincts (or instinctual centers) is what we call centers. How each type appears as an ego-fixation related to one of these “instincts” is explained more thoroughly here: Ocean moonshine.
Note: Beware that conservation / adaptation / relation instincts do not correspond to SP / SO / SX unlike what the “subtypes” article suggests. It is unclear what the vision of Ichazo about the subtypes was, but you can find some elements here:Notes by John C. Lilly (called conservation / social / syntony).
The Head center
Types: 5,6,7
Main emotion: fear
Ichazo’s corresponding notions: adaptation instinct – practical ego
The head centre is ruled by the question: “Where am I?”. Its energy is perceived in the forehead. It can be seen as a radar picking up threats and opportunities. It corresponds to Ichazo’s “adaptation instinct”, our capability to adapt to any practical situation dynamically and use the most of it for ourselves and our allies. The mind centre is also related to the cohesion of the peer group (siblings, co-workers, anybody perceived as “equal”). The main complex/excess of head types happens in their interaction with the peer group and playing a practical or authoritative role.
A few patterns:
- Anticipating the future
- Using ideas to fight back against threats (6,5)
- Authoritative / Authoritarian
- Projection (6,7)
- Hypervigilance
Note: The head centre is unrelated to being intellectual.
The Heart center
Types: 2,3,4
Main emotion: shame
Ichazo’s corresponding notions: relation instinct – image ego
The heart centre is ruled by the question: “Who am I with?”. Its energy is felt at the centre of the chest. It can be seen as an emotional radar picking up people’s identity and its relationship with ours: friend or foe. It manifests as hostile or friendly feelings. It corresponds to Ichazo’s “relation instinct”, our capability to form bonds with our emotions, to be recognized for our individuality and to control the image people have of us. The heart centre is also related to the father figure, since the father is meant to be the first person to acknowledge our identity. The main complex/excess of heart types happens in their interaction with (what they see as) father figures. Heart types have a greater tendency to shame and being absorbed in their feelings.
A few patterns:
- Attentive to other’s realities
- Jealous of others (it is rarely visible by others)
- Emotionally warm and accessible
- Self-deceit: identifies the self with the image projected to the world
- Emotional neediness
Notes:
- the heart centre is not about relating with a partner (more than relating with a stranger on the street)
- heart types are not more “emotional” (reactive, touchy, or outwardly “hysterical”)
- heart types are not especially subjective
The Gut center
Types: 8,9,1
Main emotion: anger
Ichazo’s corresponding notions: conservation instinct – historical ego
The gut centre is ruled by the question: “How am I?”. Its energy accumulates around the stomach and intestine. It can be seen as a physical awareness focussed on wellbeing and important survival needs. It corresponds to Ichazo’s “conservation instinct”. The gut centre is focussed on balance and makes sure external and internal conditions keep us stable. It has a higher focus on morals and universal values or truths. Gut types tend to be focused on the past. The gut centre is also related to the mother figure, since the mother is the first provider of love and warmth. The complex/excess of gut types creates a sense that the world does not love them. Gut types believe in objectivity but tend to be blind to what disturbs their beliefs.
A few patterns:
- Grounded, instinctive
- Denial
- Obsessiveness
- Guilt
Notes:
- gut types can be emotional
- gut types can be thinkers
Enneagram Elements 