In the study of the Enneagram, much of the focus has historically been on the cognitive and emotional aspects of personality. However, a crucial element has often been overlooked: the Body Center. While the original teachings of the Enneagram system introduced by pioneers like Helen Palmer and Dr. David Daniels emphasized the importance of the mind and emotions, the body was typically viewed through a narrow lens, referred to primarily as "the instincts" with three subtypes representing different instinctual drives. This limited understanding has missed the deeper, transformative role that the physical body plays in our overall development.

Marion Gilbert, a leader in the Somatic Enneagram field, has brought new insights into this missing piece. With years of experience as a physical therapist, Gilbert has developed a profound understanding of the body’s role in human development and its connection to emotional and psychological well-being. She emphasizes the physical embodiment of ideas and emotions as a vital component of conscious transformation—something that had been largely absent from traditional Enneagram teachings.

In her work with individuals undergoing healing, Gilbert has explored the reasons why some people struggle to heal, particularly the resistance that arises when the body is overwhelmed by life’s experiences. This resistance often manifests as a need to "contain the charge" of these overwhelming experiences. Essentially, the nervous system becomes overloaded and unable to process the excess energy, creating blocks in the body's natural healing process.

One of Gilbert’s key insights is the body’s innate ability to return to balance, or homeostasis. This state allows the body to not only survive but thrive. The body is constantly adjusting, engaging in a dynamic tension between forces of balance and imbalance, which offers us the flexibility needed to navigate the challenges of life.

However, we often take the body for granted, especially when it signals pain or discomfort. Instead of listening to these signals, people tend to override them through established cognitive and emotional habits—reflexive responses developed to protect against perceived threats. These defensive patterns create a disconnect from the body’s wisdom, locking us into cycles of suffering.

Gilbert's somatic work within the Enneagram framework highlights the importance of recognizing these reflexes. By becoming aware of these automatic responses, individuals can begin to relax the tension and break free from habitual patterns of resistance. In the somatic aspect of Enneagram type structure, there are three distinct ways in which people habitually resist discomfort or pain, ultimately leading to suffering.

The traditional Enneagram teaches that individuals use nine different strategies to avoid the pain of life, but through Gilbert’s work, a deeper understanding emerges—one that integrates body awareness into the healing process. By acknowledging the body as an integral part of our personality and transformation, individuals can address the root of their suffering and unlock new pathways to freedom and growth.

Marion Gilbert’s work in the Somatic Enneagram offers a compelling expansion of the Enneagram’s traditional teachings, positioning body awareness as an essential element for personal transformation. It serves as the missing piece that completes the puzzle, allowing for a more holistic understanding of the self.

Keep Reading: 

What Is The Somatic Enneagram

What Is Somatic Awareness?

The Somatic Enneagram & The Body