In a recent Social media conversation, I found myself referring to our “Narrative” as part of how we maintain our sense of self, and thus, our habitual Enneagram Style (Type by any other name).
In doing so, I realised how the term and idea of “our story” is related to conversation; words, and thus the sound of our voice maybe in our heads, or what we say to others.
I acknowledge that this is my interpretation of what a ‘narrative’ is, but maybe that is the point.
For me, narrative initially related to a thinking activity, and in doing so, I soon realised the limitations I was alluding to in my own thinking.
The other two centres, Moving/Instinctive ( Belly) and Heart, have a different sorts of Narrative – a unique way in which they in turn, communicate with us, and offer an intelligence and Wisdom to our sense of self.
Our Sensations are our direct line of communication and intelligence to the Belly Centre, and our Emotions, to the Heart. Each will have their own version of a Narrative, and Story.
Our Habitual sense of Self will be related to both these narratives, as well as that of our intellect from which we tell our story; the words and labels we tell ourselves that keep us locked in a certain way of being.
The various Narratives serve us. They help to keep us safe, held, whole, supported, and much more. It is not wrong that we have them. However, it can be useful once in a while to check out if they still serve or are now hindering our growth.
Dialectic enquiry is the way in which many Spiritual and Psychological Inner work schools approach this. The form invites us to “sense” into our physical self, and explore our Sensations, and discern them in relation or opposition to, our “Emotions” and also the story we have around them.
The value of this work is tremendous, but I would suggest, limited. For without actual Movement, to engage the Moving Centre and learn the language and intelligence of Sensations, we can get stuck in the Thinking Centres interpretations and its Narrative around the Sensations.
The same goes for the Heart Centre. We have emotions that we attempt to interpret and share through speech, and yet, when we are truly in touch with this Centre of our Being, we often discover, there are no words that do it justice.
Both Centres, Moving and Heart, find their expressions through different forms. As in Dance, where movement and Emotion combine. Music involves action of the moving Centre with the Heartfelt emotions of sound and silence.
A Radio programmes was commenting the other day on the popularity of Gregorian Chant. The value of singing together in chant helps us to connect with the emotions through the vibrations of breath over vocal fold, that creates sound and sensations; thus connecting us with Heart and Belly.
Individual Centre focused practices like Yoga and Feldenkrais connect us with our moving Centre. In particular, my personal experience of Feldenkrais, as a Practitioner of Feldenkrais, brings me in direct contact with the intelligence of the Instinctual/Moving Centre, in a way that for me, challenges the dominance of the Thinking Centre.
As yet, I have not come across a purely “Heart” centred work, although I understand the “devotion” practices to align with this Centre. As a Musician and Artists, I experience a greater connection with my Heart Centre, and it’s Wisdom.
I say they are not “purely Heart” as both engage action when being created. And maybe that is how it is, in reality, to be a whole Human of Being, and in contact with our true, essence self, is for all three Centres to be fully engaged and aligned in our life. Nothing left out, nothing judged or rejected. Fully Embodied in our Beingness.
How we get there, may take different paths. How we individually experience our whole self, will also be unique.
My idea of my personal “Narrative” has just expanded, how is it for you?