Types of Centers
Each center in the Human Design Bodygraph represents a particular realm of life and its associated body functions. Centers can be categorized in various ways according to their functions. Some centers have multiple functions. These functions include Motors, which are energy resources (Root, Sacral, Solar Plexus, and Ego), Pressure Centers that apply pressure to either think or act (Head and Root), and Awareness Centers that bring awareness (Ajna, Spleen, and Solar Plexus). There is one center of Expression and Manifestation: the Throat. Lastly, there is one center of Identity and Love: the G Center.
Defined or Undefined
The Defined Centers (colored in on the BodyGraph) show where our life force is fixed and limited in its quality. Defined Centers are generally consistent and reliable in their function. Our Definition fixes our life force into a specific pattern and frequency called Type. While the Defined Centers are less susceptible to conditioning, they can still be influenced through open Gates and mental distortion. The Defined Centers show us what we can rely on in ourselves as a source of intelligence. Fixed characteristics emanate through our frequency even when we are not saying or doing anything. We often take our own definition for granted and may judge or dismiss others for lacking the capacity or consistency we possess. Others may experience us as a resource in these areas. They may also experience us as difficult to influence in these areas. Ultimately, the Definition in our design reveals our natural capacities and priorities.
The Undefined Centers show us areas where we look out and see or experience the world through our receptivity. These are the areas where we have the greatest potential for learning, wisdom, and reflection. These are also areas where we are naturally more adaptable, flexible, and open to being influenced and conditioned by others, by transits, and by cultural and social dynamics. The conditioned mind tends to want to interpret and make decisions through our Undefined Centers because they absorb, amplify, and often distort the energy and impressions we experience from others and the world around us. The flexibility in these areas can be experienced as instability or even inadequacy by ourselves and others. Ultimately, we can find greater peace and self-acceptance when we recognize that these are areas designed to function conditionally rather than consistently. These are areas of flexibility and learning.
It is common to see defined centers as beneficial and undefined centers as problematic. In actuality, the Not-self (conditioned mind) can operate through both definition and openness, and the true nature can also operate through both.
In the unhealthy or not-self state, defined centers are often distorted by the mind, putting pressure on others through our inability to recognize and respect that not everyone is defined as we are. This conditioned state often expresses through the open centers as amplifying and living out the pressure we take in through our openness from others.
As we experiment with our designs, we become more and more adept at experiencing the way strategy and authority allow our defined centers to express our natural gifts. We can come to appreciate and rely on our definition while respecting that others do not necessarily have these same attributes. Through our openness, we can recognize when we are taking in conditioning from those around us and become wise about these influences, offering clarity and perspective to others when we are invited.
Conditioning is not inherently bad or wrong, nor something to resist. If we are aligned and connected to our personal intelligence, we can recognize which conditioning forces are healthy to have in our lives and in what way.
Many people wish they had more definition, and many wish they had less. When we begin to explore these concepts, it is common to think that life would be easier if we could change something about our design. Over time, most of us recognize the gift and the challenge of who we are, the extent to which we can change ourselves, and the extent to which we must accept life and nature on its own terms or suffer greatly. In the end, every design and every aspect of design offers a potential for self-mastery, growth, and appreciation of the human experience.