Introducing the “Temples” with Chris Taylor

After observing the pervasive presence of the number four within his studies of ancient systems, Jung concluded that complete systems are composed of four parts. He cited mandalas and other models as being “quaternity figures which express wholeness.” From the mind of Chris Taylor, we present another system of four: the “Temples.” Below are the gatherings of my conversation with him.  

What are the Temples? 

The Temples are an updated version of what we previously called the “quartets.” We have made some references to quartets in the past. Chase has even made an important Cutting Edge episode — April 2020 — discussing compatible relationships and the quartets. But the concept has fascinating depths that have yet to be plumbed. 

For those who are new here, the quartets were simply the specific combination of the four types within your mind. For example, the INFJ, ESTP, ENFP, and ISTJ all share the same types as sides of their mind, but in different positions. They compose a quartet. From here on out, they will be called Temples. 

The Temples are a vector for deepening our understanding of each type’s purpose, the dynamics between them, and how they express themselves as a result. The Temples can even be used as a way to help type others — but more on that at a later time.  

Like the Four Sides of the Mind, the four temperaments, and the four quadras, the four Temples give us a path for differentiating the types in new and important ways. The Temples also exist on a spectrum of abstract to concreteness.  

These are the four Temples:  

• The Soul Temple 
• The Heart Temple  
• The Mind Temple 
• The Body Temple  

As you may have guessed, one of these Temples is yours. Which types belong to each Temple?  

The Soul Temple 

The Soul Temple is the Temple composed of the ENFP, INFJ, ISTJ, and ESTP.  

The defining characteristic of the Soul Temple is an overarching concern with character. 

Generally speaking, the Soul Temple is concerned with other people’s “Souls” or core identity. In specific terms, they are concerned with authenticity, and whether others are presenting themselves truthfully or not. Nothing enrages this Temple more than inauthenticity. 

The primary concern of this Temple is the character of themselves and others. Is their character deep or shallow? Strong or weak? Because this Temple is so focused on character, the types that inhabit this Temple often have extreme virtues and vices. They possess either very strong or very weak characters, with little in between. 

Whether you’re an ISTJ, ESTP, INFJ, or ENFP, you have a built-in focus on character, created by the “secret sauce” comprised of these four types swimming about in your psyche together.  

The focus of the Soul Temple is abstract. 

The Heart Temple 

Next is the Heart Temple, which is composed of the ENTP, INTJ, ISFJ, and ESFP. 

The defining characteristic of the Heart Temple is passion.  

These types are all about passion and heart. They are drawn to human emotion, expression, and drama. ESFPs and INTJs are all about performance. The ESFPs want to embody the performance and INTJs want to guide the performance. ENTPs are about external passion. And ISFJs consistently facilitates drama around them if there is no drama for them to experience or be a part of. 

For these types, it’s not about the drama itself, but about the high emotional intensity that draws them into passion.  It is no surprise that many actors and stage performers belong to the Heart Temple.  

The focus of the Heart Temple is abstract. 

The Mind Temple 

Next is the Mind Temple, which is composed of the ESTJ, INFP, ISTP, and ENFJ. 

The defining characteristic of the Mind Temple is education.  

These types are all about teaching, education, and learning. ISTPs take something apart primarily because they want to figure out how it works, not just because they have mechanical awareness. It is no coincidence that the ENFJ is often referred to as “The Mentor” in personality circles. You will often find INFPs and ESTJs in the education system, or in some field where they are able to educate those around them in a professor-like role.   

This entire Temple is about exploring, developing, and understanding the mind. 

The focus of the Mind Temple is concrete.  

The Body Temple  

The Body Temple is composed of the ESFJ, INTP, ISFP, and ENTJ. 

The defining characteristic of the Body Temple is creation.  

The word “Body” is related to the sense of physical connection that these types have with the world, and their ability to manipulate it. This can be done by producing things, and sometimes “production” is refined through consumption. They need to consume in order to produce.

A piece of art, money, a new system, or an invention all have physical results. Even beginning a family, often started by ESFJs, is an act of physical creation. 

The Body Temple is all about the physical manifestations of creation.  

The focus of the Body Temple is concrete.  

One Layer Deeper 

There is so much to be said about the Temples, and we will be delving deeper into them in the coming weeks and months. But we will excavate one more layer in our introduction today. 

We have seen that each of the four Temples is characterized by an essential aspect of human nature. Soul, Heart, Mind, and Body are distinct pieces of the human whose categories predate the modern era by millennia.  

From a macro view, the four Temples of the Heart, Mind, Soul, and Body represent a quaternity. But, from the micro view, each of us has a sub-quaternity in our mind, with an individual Soul, Heart, Mind, and Body within us. Each quarter of this sub-quaternity belongs to one of the Four Sides of the mind.

While we may belong to one of the types in the Soul Temple, three of the other parts of our mind will house an attribute of the Heart, Mind, and Body. This is similar to how we have a Templar Quadra, and then a specific ESTP type within that quadra, and then that type has an Se-Hero within their Ego. Layers within layers within layers.  

A type’s Ego is always the same as their Temple, their Shadow will share the same affinity for a focus on abstract or concreteness. For example, an Ego of the Body Temple will have a Shadow of the Mind. The Subconscious will have a different affinity than the Ego. In this case, the Subconscious of a Body Temple’s will be Heart. And the Superego will be the furthest away on the spectrum. In this case, the Superego of a Body Temple will be Soul. Let’s look at an example. 

For the ENFP, they belong to the Soul Temple. In the broad sense, they belong to the Soul Temple just as they belong to the Philosopher Quadra. But, when we zoom into their psyche, we see that they have a Subconscious, Unconscious, and Superego in addition to their Ego. Collectively this makes up their Soul Temple, but individually they are composed of something more distinct. 

The Ego and the characteristic of the type’s Temple will always be the same. Thus, the ENFP is part of the Soul Temple, and the Ego side of their mind is characterized by the Soul as well.  

But, when they move to their Subconscious, they enter their Mind. This is not the general Mind Temple of the INFP, ESTJ, etc., but the specific Mind because every human being has a Soul, Heart, Mind, and Body. In essence, the Mind of the ENFP sits in their Subconscious. 

So, for the ENFP, their Ego is Soul, their Subconscious is Mind, their Unconscious is Heart, and their Superego, the opposite of the Soul — the furthest attribute from their soul — is the Body. 

We know some of this is likely confusing. But we will be unpacking this more very soon. There is one more point we will leave you with today.  

Chase has explored Cognitive Axis, Orbit, and the Reflector Functions thoroughly in Season 18. Chase and Chris have also developed these concepts to a broader level, including the Cognitive Battlegrounds, where we have seen Axis, Orbit, and the Reflector Functions applied to the relationships between the Four Sides of our minds at a foundational level.  The Temples are no exception.  

Like What You Read?

Check out our blog to see other articles from Coach Jay Ackley and myself, as well as transcripts and videos of Chase’s past lectures. 

• Our recent article features a Q/A with Chris Taylor where he discusses his pioneering concept of the “Cognitive Battlegrounds” in greater depth, exploring its practical and metaphysical implications.  

• One of Coach Jay Ackley’s articles has surfaced from the vault. If you are new here or just want to brush up on the foundational principles that underlie this science, we recommend you take a read.

• Penned by the man himself, Mr. CS Joseph, this article details the reasons for and benefits of coaching so that you can make an educated decision if it’s right for you.

• We recently launched a new article series where we type iconic fictional characters. Click here to see our second issue, featuring a discussion of Thanos’ true type