3 Engaging with Life
The Five Types
‘Human Design has brought me “home”. I have finally been understood. Thank you for opening me up, re – affirming my truth, and providing expert guidance.’
AP, New York, USA
What type of person do you think you are? If you had one minute to sum up your nature with a self – appraisal that allowed you to be understood and recognized on first impression, what would you say?
The world is a colourful assortment of approximately seven billion different characters and there are endless descriptions of different types. Sometimes we’re identified by our jobs and professions: the executive type, the labourer type or care – giving type. Or we stand out by personality: the shy type, the confident type, the thoughtful type or reckless type. Some even mark us out by hair colour: she’s a blonde, he’s a redhead. Or religion: Orthodox Jew or southern Baptist. Or nationality: American or Arab. I’m sure as you read those labels, snapshot stereotypes formed in your head. It seems everyone applies superficial labels that really tell us nothing about the person.
Which is where Human Design comes in. It recognizes five types of person, five types that we’re designed to be:
• manifestors
• generators
• manifesting generators
• projectors
• reflectors
Your type is determined by noting which centres, if any, you have defined, and to which other centres they connect. Put simply, your type depends on which of the nine centres are in colour. It reveals some of the most insightful information about you – and others. I’ll go so far as to say that you’ll start to view people you have known for decades in a new light. And once you understand someone’s natural state of being, it allows you to rethink your approach to them. Of course, old habits die hard, and long – established behavioural patterns are notoriously difficult to break. But Human Design encourages us to break down stereotypes, see the real person and interact in a far more authentic way.
The life chart from the Human Design program actually tells you what type you are. So if in doubt, take another look at it, or print it out, and read on. And remember that if at first you don’t recognize yourself in your type, this might be caused by conditioning that has made you act in ways counter to your being. So I suggest looking beyond how you act and focusing on your innermost self.
TYPE 1
THE MANIFESTOR
‘Making It Happen’
A Manifestor has one or more of the three motor centres – Heart, Emotions or Root – defined and connected to a defined Throat. But the Sacral is not defined.
You are one of life’s go – getters, born with an ability to make it all happen. People may well observe an air of invincibility about you because you are a catalyzing force who injects tremendous drive and focus into any project or endeavour – and into the people around you. The willpower of the Heart, the intense feelings of the Emotions and the adrenaline surge of the Root are enough, either in isolation or combined, to surge to the Throat to create a highly – motivated person capable of powerful expression and manifestation.
For a Throat connection to be relevant, the channels must be fully in colour, that is, they must be active channels. The Root’s active connection must find its path to the Throat via the Emotions or Spleen.
Manifestors account statistically for about 8 per cent of the world’s population, so first appreciate that you are rare with your relentless, compulsive, driving energy that constantly seeks to act, achieve and do. Your nature is to be a human dynamo, actively accomplishing goals. Such accomplishments, which you might take for granted, can attract either admiration or jealousy from non – Manifestors, mainly because a lot of people hanker for your manifesting ability! You may find it hard to understand why others have such difficulty getting things done, but not everyone can achieve things as quickly or effortlessly as you, so cut them some slack. You are the one type who can go it alone and succeed, needing no one and nothing but your own drive. Indeed, if I were to compare you to a car, you would be the Maserati. You get in your super – powered vehicle, turn the ignition and you’re off! It helps to realize that you are the key and ignition switch missing in others. Imagine how it must feel for a non – Manifestor turning that ignition switch and nothing happening. You may struggle to understand that feeling, especially if you are an employer, but this understanding alone can lead to a new co – operation that encourages others and enables them to utilize your input.
If you see a stressed – out parent with a child running them ragged, you’re probably witnessing a non – Manifestor parent struggling with a Manifestor child. You’ll recognize the Manifestor baby, too – as soon as they can crawl, they’re off here, there and everywhere. Just wait till they learn to walk! I’ve met many non – Manifestor parents whose children are Manifestors, and they are worn out trying to keep up with their hyper but capable offspring. All these children seek is the freedom to be constantly active; it stifles their nature to be restricted. What their parents must learn is to provide free rein within certain boundaries, such as: ‘You can stay up, but 8 p.m. is bedtime’ or ‘You can go outside to play, but the end of the street is the limit.’ It is the honouring of freedom within limits that strikes the balance here. Also, aim to provide activities and interests which keep their relentless energy engaged. Describe sensible boundaries and let them be!
If, on the other hand, you’re the Manifestor parent and your child is a non – Manifestor, you may wonder why they are not more like you. Like mother, like daughter, right? Wrong. It is not in their nature to be like you and you cannot train them to be equal powerhouses.
In relationships, a Manifestor can be hard to live with because of a constant need for action which leads to unpredictability and potential volatility. It can lead to an attitude of ‘Do it my way or take the highway.’ Don’t even think about trying to control a Manifestor. You might as well lock a lion in a tiny cage and await the roar. But appreciate the gift of an extremely capable partner who, granted freedom, will find a way through anything and be a consummate professional – and forever thank you for understanding them.
The key to understanding a Manifestor is to know they are born doers, eager to make things happen. Blocking them, asking them to stop or nagging them to spend more time relaxing is contrary to their nature. You’re far better off enhancing this temperament by celebrating them, appreciating their efforts and letting them go for it. They need to be active. For them, there is no bliss to be found in doing nothing. Be aware that if you attempt to quiet them, this can lead to friction or anger.
What I encourage Manifestors to do is to let people know their intentions rather than just rush off and do things. Don’t just disappear in a cloud of dust and expect everyone to accept it. ‘But why should I tell everyone what I’m doing all the time?’ I can almost hear you protest. Because, in my experience, I’ve found that Manifestors find immense freedom to be themselves and achieve what they want to achieve when they co – operate with the people
