Unlock the Different Intelligences of the Mind, Body, and Heart
We often hear the phrases “follow your heart,” “trust your gut,” and “listen to your body.” Are they just catchy metaphors or do they hold deeper truths about how we can access different levels of inner wisdom?
Through years of self-healing work, mostly from transforming limiting subconscious beliefs, I’ve discovered that the mind, body, and heart each have their own distinct forms of intelligence. Understanding why helps us bring them into harmony, improving our general well-being.
The Concept of Multiple Intelligences
Generally, we correlate intelligence with the mind, which possesses cognitive skills such as problem-solving, reasoning, and memory. But there are other types of intelligence, such as emotional and bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, according to psychologist Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
Taking it a step further, I believe the mind, body, and heart hold distinct yet interconnected forms of intelligence. As I mentioned, I discovered this during self-healing sessions using energy healing. Certain beliefs would muscle test to be cleared on a general level, but I still sensed they weren’t fully gone. When I probed deeper and tested these beliefs specifically for the mind, body, or heart, lingering layers sometimes surfaced for me to resolve.
For instance, take the belief "expressing my emotions is a sign of weakness." While it may test as resolved, here's how you can muscle test them for each type of intelligence to see if this belief is still hiding somewhere on a specific level:
- On the mind level, expressing my emotions is a sign of weakness.
- On the body level, expressing my emotions is a sign of weakness.
- On the heart level, expressing my emotions is a sign of weakness.
It may muscle test as "yes" on one or more of these levels. I explore this topic more in my upcoming on-demand video course on self-healing, where I show you how to resolve beliefs at each level. For now, here’s a basic overview of why the mind, body, and heart may each hold unique beliefs:
The Unique Roles of the Mind, Body, and Heart
The Mind: Logical Intelligence
The mind is our center of intellectual intelligence, the type we often associate with IQ. It thrives on logical reasoning, problem-solving, and planning for what lies ahead. Think of the conscious mind as a protective guardian, holding onto certain limiting beliefs out of a desire to keep you safe. It clings to these beliefs because it knows them well, and they have worked so far, even if they aren't helpful in other ways.
In its role as a protector, the mind tends to view the heart as more vulnerable. This instinct often leads it to work hard to create extra layers of defense. While the heart is open and intuitive, ready to feel and connect, the mind tends to be more cautious and strategic to maintain control. This means that while the mind wants to protect us, its methods can sometimes feel limiting and may restrict our intuition.
Strengths of the Mind
- Rational Thinking: The mind processes information, identifies patterns, and makes sense of the world. It’s critical for making decisions and solving complex problems.
- Memory and Learning: The mind stores past experiences and lessons, which helps guide future actions.
- Creativity: The mind can think abstractly and imagine possibilities beyond what currently exists.
Limitations of the Mind
While the mind is powerful, a major downside is falling into the trap of overthinking, which can lead to anxiety or what’s known as analysis paralysis. This tendency to always look five steps ahead can make it feel overly controlling and inflexible, pulling us away from our emotions or what our bodies are trying to communicate. The mind can become rigid, holding on tightly to familiar ways of thinking and resisting new ideas.
Mind-Centered Beliefs
Here are some common beliefs the mind may hold that you can muscle test for yourself. Try them with and without the additional phrase, "on the mind level."
- (On the mind level,) I need to have everything figured out.
- (On the mind level,) success requires constant hard work to the point of exhaustion.
- (On the mind level,) if I make a mistake, everyone will judge me.
- (On the mind level,) my worth is tied to my achievements.
- (On the mind level,) it’s safer for me to stick with logic and facts over my intuition.
The Body: Instinctive Responses
Our bodies are incredible; they hold a unique kind of wisdom known as kinesthetic intelligence. This is the awareness that comes from our physical sensations, reflexes, and natural instincts that help us survive. Often, our bodies pick up on things before our minds do. For instance, when we’re under stress, our bodies might react with physical symptoms, signaling that something is off.
Louise Hay's book You Can Heal Your Life has a list of different physical ailments and their root causes, often emotional.
Strengths of the Body
- Instinct and Survival: The body reacts quickly to danger or physical needs, such as hunger, thirst, or pain. It can act before the mind has processed the situation—think of the "fight or flight" response.
- Physical Awareness: Athletes, dancers, and craftsmen cultivate a strong connection with their bodies, allowing them to excel in their physical tasks.
- Healing and Homeostasis: The body has remarkable self-healing abilities and maintains internal balance without conscious effort.
Limitations of the Body
Our bodies may cling to the energy of past traumas and negative experiences, thinking that holding onto the pain will prevent us from attracting or recreating more of it. Unfortunately, this is counterproductive, since that defense mechanism doesn't allow us to let go of the pain.
Body-Centered Beliefs
Here are some beliefs to muscle test. Try them with and without the additional phrase, "on the body level."
- (On the body level,) I should push through pain and discomfort.
- (On the body level,) I deserve to feel comfortable in my body.
- (On the body level,) physical health isn’t as important as mental strength.
- (On the body level,) I can’t trust my body’s signals.
- (On the body level,) rest is unproductive.
The Heart: Emotional Intelligence
The heart is the center of our emotional intelligence (EQ), the part of us that feels deeply, connects with others, and trusts our intuition. While the mind is great at providing logic, the heart brings empathy and the capacity to form emotional bonds.
The heart tends to be more intuitive and emotional, and I’ve noticed that my mind sees my heart as overly generous. As a result, the mind tends to develop protective beliefs to shield the heart. Indeed, the heart can be vulnerable. After big emotional events such as breakups or funerals, it may need its own healing for heartbreak and grief.
Strengths of the Heart
- Emotional Awareness: The heart helps us recognize and understand our own emotions as well as the emotions of others, fostering empathy.
- Intuition: We are told to "follow our heart", the intuition which guides us in decision-making when logic alone falls short.
- Resilience and Compassion: The heart helps us navigate life’s emotional ups and downs, enabling us to recover from setbacks and offer kindness to ourselves and others. Heart energy/love is powerful.
Limitations of the Heart
While emotions are important, over-relying on them alone can lead to impulsive decisions and poor judgment.
As powerful as love can be, the heart is also more vulnerable after heartbreak and disappointment. It may keep these energetic wounds or trauma as a way of shielding itself from attracting more of the same, by avoiding love.
Heart-Centered Beliefs
Here are some beliefs to muscle test. Try it with and without the additional phrase, "on the heart level."
- (On the heart level,) I need to keep everyone around me happy.
- (On the heart level,) love is painful and can’t be trusted.
- (On the heart level,) forgiving someone makes me vulnerable.
- (On the heart level,) following my passion isn’t realistic.
- (On the heart level,) I must hide my true feelings to avoid being a burden to others.
How to Harmonize the Mind, Body, and Heart
After I shared my theory of the different intelligences of the mind, body, and heart with a friend, she suggested that it would be helpful to have a mini conference between them. We could start each day with a brief meditation, asking them, “How can we work together today?” and then take a moment to listen for the answer.
Here are more ways to improve your connection to each intelligence center:
Mind
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness allows us to tune into the present moment and become more aware of our thoughts, bodily sensations, and emotions. Practices such as meditation, yoga, and breathwork can help integrate the mind, body, and heart.
Body
Listen to Your Body
Your body communicates through sensations—fatigue, tension, physical pain. By paying attention to these signals rather than pushing them aside, you're letting your body be heard. Regular exercise and stretching can enhance your connection to your body.
Heart
Cultivate Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence can be strengthened by practicing empathy, reflecting on your feelings, and fostering open communication in your relationships. Activities like journaling or heart-centering meditations can help you connect with your heart’s wisdom.
In a society that prioritizes intellectual achievements, it’s easy to forget that wisdom isn’t confined to the mind. When we listen to the unique insights of our mind, body, and heart, we access a richer source of understanding that helps us improve our emotional, physical, and mental well-being.
Share what you've discovered about the mind, body, and heart in the comments below.
