Heartstrings Part 5
November 21, 2025
Heartstrings Part 5
Some Enneagram students who are not in the heart center find themselves strongly identifying with the heart center without understanding why. This is because we all have another ego type in the other two centers. For example, an Ego Type Five in the Mind Center might have Type Two as their strongest identification in the Heart Center, and perhaps a Nine, Eight, or One as their strongest identification in the Body Center.
Regardless of our number, we become victims if we fail to emotionally self-regulate. Over-regulation makes us rigid and lifeless; under-regulation leads to emotional flooding. A dammed-up heart can even implode. Proper emotional balance calls us to awareness … recognizing when we are off-kilter and need to restore our equilibrium.
Self-regulation and the spiritual life go hand in hand. George F. Cox (1932–2020), former missionary to Japan, hospital chaplain, and pastoral counselor, said:
“The secret of emotional equilibrium is never to get too elated or confident when we receive good news and never get too sad or anxious when the news is not good. Hiding in all bad news is hope and possibility and hiding in all good news is some yet unseen drawback. Equanimity is the balance of emotion: we are conscious of all things' natural rhythms and complexities, whether they appear good or bad.”
To do what George Cox advises, we must first be conscious of our choice: letting our emotions take control or self-regulating. The space between the stimulus and our response is the window of opportunity for us to choose. But without consciousness, we do not see the window, and we become victims of our unchecked emotions. In the conscious pause, we can choose the soul instead of the ego’s path of least resistance.
Spiritual practice: Take inventory of your spiritual self-regulation system. Does it offer you the equanimity and balance you need?
Self-inquiry: If we are close to the Divine, why must we self-regulate?
Prayer:
Dear God, I am always seeking balance, regardless of circumstance. I am tempted to despair when I hear bad news and to be overly elated when things go well. May your still, small voice help me remain aware, calm, and aware of the deeper truths in everything. Amen.
