The Mind-Body Divide: why we feel disconnected
If you have grown up in the West, it’s likely that you knowingly or unknowingly subscribe to mind-body dualism. Descartes’ famous maxim “I think, therefore I am” permeates Western philosophy and life. Imagine how different our world would be if he had said “I feel, therefore I am” or “I perceive, therefore I am.” This separation between mind and body can create a sense of detachment, but really, your body and mind are two parts of a whole. Cartesian dualism often values rationality over emotions and intuition. We feel this as pressure to become more logical, even when it doesn’t align with us.
“This leads to emotional disconnection and numbs our ability to sense the signals from our bodies.”
For example, have you ever ignored a feeling of unease about a situation because ‘logically’ everything seemed fine? Later, you find out your body was right all along. This disconnection from bodily wisdom can feel alienating. It’s like ignoring the dashboard lights in your car just because you don’t see anything wrong on the outside.
How Human Design bridges the gap
Enter Human Design. While Human Design still operates within Cartesian logic, it offers a way to reconnect with the intelligence of the body. Human Design suggests that the mind—the pinnacle of the Cartesian phase—should not be the primary tool for making decisions about your life. Your brain, which is receiving information from your body, like your nervous system, as well as your conscious experience also generates thoughts, but it is not the ultimate authority. We know this intuitively, because we cannot be aware of everything at once.
Take for example, intrusive thoughts. When you experience intrusive or random thoughts, it can feel unsettling, but once you address the underlying issue, the thoughts dissipate. This happens in part because you are ignoring a part of your experience, and once you tend to this experience you find that the intrusive thoughts no longer happen. Your mind is a complex tool, it's very good at some things and easily confused by others, and no two people's way of thinking is the same. So what is the proper use of the mind? And where do ‘you’ sit in all this?
Human Design says that your mind is designed to solve external problems. It handles things like errands, work, or helping others—but it’s not meant to dictate your life path. Think about how often we try to ‘think’ our way through personal crises, only to find ourselves spinning in circles. It’s like trying to use a hammer to fix a leaky sink. The tool is powerful, but not suited for the task.
Listening to the Body’s Wisdom
Your body, however, has the answers. Have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt uncomfortable, even if you couldn’t explain why? Or felt a deep sense of peace when around certain people? This is your body’s wisdom at work. Animals have this instinct honed to perfection—they sense danger long before humans do. Consider the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami: countless animals fled to higher ground hours before the wave hit, while many humans remained unaware.
I often wonder if animals are superior to us in this regard, or if we have simply lost touch with this part of ourselves. Human Design aims to restore this connection by aligning the conscious (mind) and unconscious (body) to lead us to a life of ease.
The Power of Embodiment
Embodiment, being present in your body, enriches every aspect of life. When mind and body work together, life feels more harmonious. But how do you achieve this? Your energy, or chi (life force), is dynamic. When mind and body align, your energetic signal becomes clear. The right opportunities and people naturally gravitate toward you. It feels like you’re always in the right place at the right time.
This is the essence of Human Design—living as your energetic self. By following your Strategy and Authority, you learn how to engage with the world correctly. Each of the five types in Human Design (Generator, Manifesting Generator, Projector, Manifestor, Reflector) has a unique Strategy. Your Authority tells you which part of your body to listen to when making decisions.
For me, my sacral response acts like an inner compass. When I encounter a new opportunity, my gut immediately reacts. Building a relationship with this response, noticing its signals, and respecting its wisdom guides me to the right decisions. If your Authority lies elsewhere, perhaps emotional clarity or intuition, your task is to strengthen your awareness of that bodily response.
Discover Your Own Authority
Want to learn your own Authority? Head to the "Get My Chart" page on our website for a free breakdown of your Human Design themes. Understanding your body’s wisdom is the first step toward reclaiming your innate intelligence and finding flow in your life.
And if you are interested in a deep dive into your entire chart, consider a reading with HDL to understand how to live as your energetic self!
