The Three Centers of Intelligence (Enneagram Part Two)

According to the Enneagram, there are three centers of intelligence inside every person. Think of them as your inner operating systems.

This is part two of a five-part Enneagram series. If you missed the first post, you can catch up here. Each day builds on the last, so I recommend starting from the beginning if you’re new to the Enneagram or want a refresher.

Let’s talk about how you experience the world.

According to the Enneagram, there are three centers of intelligence inside every person. Think of them as your inner operating systems—how you perceive, process, and respond to what’s happening around you.

We all use all three centers. But one usually runs the show.

The Three Centers

1. Body (Gut) – Types 8, 9, and 1
   You move through the world instinctually—by doing, reacting, sensing. Body types just know something is off or right, often without needing to explain why. Their wisdom is embodied.

2. Heart (Feelings) – Types 2, 3, and 4
   You lead with emotion. Heart types feel first and interpret the world through empathy, connection, and image. They might say, “That just feels wrong,” even if they can’t explain it logically.

3. Head (Thinking) – Types 5, 6, and 7
   You rely on logic and analysis. Head types interpret situations by asking, “What does this mean? What might happen next?” They’re driven by curiosity and preparation.

You likely have a dominant center—your default mode. That’s the lens you naturally wear unless you consciously shift into another one.

The Underlying Emotion

Each center carries a kind of emotional tax—a default negative emotion you wrestle with more than others.

• Body Types (8, 9, 1): Anger
  For some, it’s loud and obvious. For others, it simmers just beneath the surface. Eights often lash out. Nines avoid it. Ones might internalize it into self-criticism.

• Heart Types (2, 3, 4): Shame
  These types struggle with worthiness. Twos earn it by helping. Threes prove it through success. Fours try to reclaim it through authenticity and uniqueness.

• Head Types (5, 6, 7): Fear
  They live in their heads, often trying to control chaos with knowledge or distraction. Fives retreat and plan. Sixes either overprepare or rebel. Sevens avoid pain by staying upbeat and busy.

We didn’t choose these patterns. They helped us survive. But growth means recognizing them—and learning to expand beyond them.

Try This

Which center feels most like you?

Which one feels the least familiar?

Try intentionally engaging the one that’s least dominant in you over the next few days.

• If you’re not a Body Type, go move. Walk, stretch, swim, dance.

• If you’re not a Heart Type, feel something. Watch a movie that moves you. Play with puppies. Laugh till you cry.

• If you’re not a Head Type, think deeply. Do a crossword. Read a book. Solve a puzzle.

Leaning into a different center can offer balance, insight, and surprising joy.

What’s Next?

You might be thinking, “Wait—I thought the Enneagram was about finding out what number I am.” We’ll get there in Part 4. But I always start with the centers because they ease us into the deeper truth: we all perceive life differently from the start.

Before we dive into the nine types, there’s one more layer we need to look at—what are traditionally called the “subtypes.”

(I know, it sounds backwards.)

Personally, I prefer the term instincts—and that’s where we’ll go tomorrow. These instincts are biological drivers we’ve inherited as a species. They help us survive, form relationships, influence others, and make choices—even if we’re not aware they’re doing it.

That’s tomorrow…

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P.S.
More than most series I do, this one builds. By the end of this week, you will not be an Enneagram expert. But you will have a working understanding of the tool—and enough clarity to decide if you want to go deeper.

Also—for this week only—I’ve lowered the cost of my 1:1 Consulting Subscription to include a Zoom with me about your Enneagram type or your personal call to adventure.

You can adjust your subscription here.