Work the Wheel: A practical way to use the Enneagram Intelligence Centers in a discernment process.
When you feel stuck in a decision, question, or struggle, it is likely you have only engaged in it from your dominant intelligence center. To get unstuck, you can try to “work the wheel” of the Enneagram circle, by moving through each intelligence center thoughtfully. It is helpful to use a journal or notebook to work through the steps.
Step One is to describe the issue.
What is a decision, question, or struggle in your life that feels stuck? Or in which next steps are uncertain? If possible, narrow it down to a question you are trying to answer or a problem you are trying to solve.
Step Two is to take that issue “to the wheel.”
First, answer 3-5 of the questions listed below your dominant center. (Which is the heart center for Types 2, 3, and 4, head center for Types 5, 6, and 7, and gut center for Types 8, 9, and 1.) After completing those questions, choose a direction– usually counter-clockwise feels most comfortable– and answer 3-5 questions from that second center, followed by the third center. After going through all three intelligence centers, take a step back and look at the issue again. Is there any more clarity? What is the next step you can take?
Repeat the exercise as needed.
The Heart or Feeling Center Questions
Focus on relationships, image, emotion, identity…
Is there anything I feel I should do? Why? Is that what I want to do?
Is my identity wrapped up in moving in one way versus another? Why? How?
Is there something I am avoiding because it is making me feel vulnerable or afraid?
How does this issue impact primary relationships in my life? (partner, children, parents, close friends.)
If I move forward in one way or another, how will it change my capacity to engage with them?
Is there anything I do here that will affect their life in a significant way? (i.e. require a move)
Do I feel they have a preference for the choice I make? How is that making me feel about the alternative choices?
How does this issue impact other relationships in my life? (other friends, current colleagues, neighbors, extended family.)
What about this issue is currently making things complicated in my relationships? How could it get more or less complicated if I make one decision versus another?
Is there a way one outcome or another on this issue could bring me closer to someone I currently don’t feel close to?
Does this issue connect to anything difficult from my past?
How might my “young self” need compassion as they face this possible future?
Are there unresolved issues I need to deal with before I can feel settled in this current situation?
What are some feelings I have when I imagine different outcomes to this issue? (stress, sadness, confusion, joy, anger, pride, peace, fear, envy, trust, love, guilt, regret, groundedness, frustration, weariness, loneliness, compassion, excitement…)
The Head or Thinking Center Questions
Focus on logic, security, planning, information…
Is there any information I need that I don’t currently have?
Where can I find that information? (book, podcast, website, friend)
(Take the step of getting that information.) What did I discover in my research?
What is a decision or outcome I can put on a pro/con list? What would I put in each column?
What are all the possibilities I can imagine happening? Good, bad, and in-between?
What are some if ___, then ____ domino effects I can plan out or prepare for?
Who is someone I can go to for advice?
What are the variables that would move me in one direction or another? Why?
What kind of plan can I map out on a document or spreadsheet?
The Gut or Somatic Center Questions
Focus on comfort, instinct, energy, autonomy…
What are the things I am trying to control? Are there factors that can’t be controlled?
What sensations do I feel in my body? Do I feel constricted, nauseous, drained, energized, warm, heavy, relaxed, settled, tense, jumpy, tender, breathless, still…
As I think about this situation?
As I imagine myself experiencing different outcomes?
If I had to make a decision right now, what does my gut say I should do?
Take 5 minutes to sit in stillness and quiet, then consider the issue again. Does anything different arise?
Take 30 minutes to go on a walk or a run, then consider the issue again. Does anything different arise?
What is a tangible step I could take today that would bring clarity?
If I had to simplify the issue, how would I describe it in 1-2 words?
Be warned: this may not make the decision easy. In fact, it may make the difficulties more clear.
There are often sacrifices involved in moving forward in many directions. But it will help you see your blindspots before you make a choice. We can trust that the process of increasing awareness makes every decision better in the end.
💛 Stephanie
