Human Design 101: Understanding the 6 Postulates of the System

The following statements are postulates simply because they suggest or assume the existence, fact, or truth of the theory of the Human Design System (HDS)as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief.

Postulates 1 through 6

1. Human behavior is genetically wired.

Firstly, much of human behavior is genetically wired. These behaviors are passed down in our bloodline from our ancestors, the same way physical traits are passed down. The purpose of all life is to recreate itself. Life forms that can’t do that disappear and behaviors that are not useful disappear. Think about that. You are the result of 200,000 years of success in reproducing. Here you are. Congratulations!

2. Behavior clusters or Centers

Secondly, the thousands of human behaviors described in HDS can be organized into nine basic categories or groups of behavior that are essentially behavior clusters. These are broad patterns of behavior that are easy to see. The Human Design System refers to them as “Centers”.  They are loosely adapted from the Hindu Chakra system, although the HDS added two extra centers.

3. Centers, Channels, Gates, and Lines

Thirdly, the Centers are potentially connected in various ways. These connections themselves are observable as specific and somewhat narrower versions of behaviors of the Centers. The connections are made by “channels” which are loosely based on the Kabbalah Tree of Life. The channels are the result of pairings of “gates”. There are 64 gates that are loosely based on the I Ching which has 64 hexagrams and on the human genetic code which has 64 codons. Each hexagram contains 6 lines that form the structure of the hexagram. Each gate is also broken out in more detail by its 6 lines.

4. Circuit Groups: Individual, Tribal, and Collective

Additionally, these connections and clusters are organized into three major and three minor circuits. These are then further organized into four major circuit groups. Each circuit and circuit group has its own recognizable characteristics. The four major circuit groups are named Individual, Tribal, Collective, and Integration. Interestingly, the general parameters of the circuits very closely resemble the four quadrants of the group/grid description of humans. This was developed by famed British cultural anthropologist, Mary Douglas.

5. The Human Design System helps us see the range of human behaviors.

Now, there are many thousands of wiring combinations available, but we don’t each have all of the behaviors. Our own particular group of the total available behaviors is very small. So we don’t all come wired the same way, any more than we all come with the same talents or appearance. Not only do we have different specific behaviors but these behaviors combine with each other to form other behaviors. What the Human Design System does is help us see the range of behaviors. HDS also helps us see the many possibilities of complex groupings within ourselves and others.

6. Human behaviors are about ensuring the survival of the species.

Finally, this diversity of wiring provides humans with additional survival tools and strategies. When humans group together, they impact each other based upon the wiring of the individuals in the group. Although the aggregate wiring may be useful for the group or for some of the members, it may also be detrimental to some members. The reality is that behaviors are more about ensuring the survival of the species than they are about benefitting the individual. Humans are very complex, thus very vulnerable to a host of bad outcomes. You can simply watch the news to see what people struggle with to survive.

In Sum, the 6 Postulates of the Human Design System

To sum up, I find it interesting and very helpful to look at human behavior as a collection of genetically “wired” and “not wired” behaviors. These behaviors are distributed randomly throughout the population. Don’t mistake me here, I am not saying that all behavior is the result of our genes. We all know better than that. I am saying that all of the behaviors described in the Human Design System have their roots deep in our DNA.

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