Outer Authority: How to Wisely Filter the World

In the world of Human Design, we often focus on our Inner Authority, and rightly so—it is the ultimate compass for making decisions that are correct for us. But what about the endless stream of information coming from the world around us?

That, my friends, is what we call Outer Authority. Think of Outer Authority as everything outside of you that can potentially influence your decisions

• a friend’s advice,
• a book you’ve read,
• a podcast,
• or even your own mind’s endless thoughts.

For many of us, this is where we have been conditioned to get all of our answers.

The problem isn't the information itself. The problem is what happens when we let it bypass our Inner Authority and go straight to our decision-making process. The truth is, all of this information is simply a resource, a guide for your mind—not a direct order for your body.

Outer Authority as a Resource

Here’s the simple shift in perspective you need: Your Inner Authority is for making decisions, and your mind is for processing Outer Authority. Your mind is a magnificent tool for gathering information, weighing options, and understanding concepts. It's meant to be a passenger on the journey, not the driver.

For example, when a friend gives you advice, your mind processes the information, but your Inner Authority gives you the yes or no on whether that advice is correct for you.

When you read a book or listen to a podcast, your mind is absorbing all of that beautiful starlight of information. It’s up to your Inner Authority to tell you what part, if any, of that information is correct for you.

How to Use Your Outer Authority Wisely

1. Learn Your Inner Authority: Before you can filter information, you must know your own compass. Is it your gut, your emotional wave, or a splenic whisper? You have to know your own truth before you can identify someone else's.

2. Filter, Don't Follow: Recognize that every piece of information is simply data. It's an interesting perspective, a potential resource, but it's not the final answer. The question is not, "Is this information true?" The question is, "Is this information true for me?"

3. Practice Detachment: The more you practice listening to your own Inner Authority, the easier it will become to detach from the noise of the world. You’ll be able to receive information without feeling pressure to act on it. You will become a wise filter, not an empty vessel. This filtering process is deeply connected to your unique Cognition, Determination, and Environment, all essential parts of your design that influence how you process the world around you.

Join the Conversation

Your journey is a valuable part of this conversation. How have you learned to wisely use your Outer Authority? Share your experience in the comments below!