Human Design Academy by Ra Uru Hu: Digestion

Human Design Academy by Ra Uru Hu: Digestion

Human Design Academy by Ra Uru Hu: Digestion and the Mechanics of Nourishment

The Human Design System, as originally transmitted by Ra Uru Hu, presents a revolutionary perspective on how human beings function, make decisions, and interact with the world. One of the more profound and lesser-known aspects of Human Design is the role of digestion—not just in terms of food, but in how we assimilate life itself. Digestion, in the context of Human Design, refers to both the way the body processes food and the way the mind and body absorb information, stimuli, and experiences.

Ra Uru Hu introduced the concept of digestion through the Primary Health System (PHS), a subset of Human Design knowledge that focuses on individualized health, nourishment, and environmental factors. The way each person is designed to digest is deeply personal and encoded in their genetic makeup, affecting physical health, cognitive function, and overall well-being. Understanding one's unique digestion style is a crucial step toward aligning with one's true nature and supporting their body’s optimal function.

The Primary Health System (PHS) and Digestion

Human Design’s Primary Health System (PHS) is a transformational aspect of the knowledge that focuses on individual dietary needs. Unlike conventional nutritional advice, which tends to generalize across populations, PHS reveals that each person has a specific and unique way they are designed to take in food and information. These digestion types are derived from an individual’s Design, specifically from their Determination, which is found in their Rave Chart.

Ra Uru Hu emphasized that when people eat in accordance with their correct Determination, they experience better digestion, increased energy, improved cognitive function, and overall well-being. Conversely, eating in a way that is not correct for one’s Design can lead to digestive issues, brain fog, energy depletion, and a disconnection from their authentic self.

The Six Digestion Types in Human Design

There are six fundamental digestion types in Human Design, each with its own specific variations (making a total of 12). These types provide guidance on how to best absorb food and information, helping to create an internal state that supports one’s true Design.

1. Consecutive Appetite (One Thing at a Time)

This digestion type is designed to consume one type of food at a time without mixing different ingredients in a single meal. Simplicity is key, and eating should be structured to avoid overwhelming the digestive system. Individuals with this Determination thrive on predictability in their diet and do best when they eat in a focused, uninterrupted manner.

2. Alternating Appetite (This, Then That)

Unlike Consecutive Eaters, individuals with Alternating Appetite can eat different types of food in a meal, but they should consume them one after another instead of all mixed together. This means eating foods in a sequence rather than in a combined dish, allowing the digestive system to process them separately.

3. Open (No Fixed Way)

Open eaters have the most flexibility and can digest a wide variety of foods. They are not designed to follow strict dietary restrictions and can often eat in a spontaneous, adaptable way. However, they should still remain mindful of what their body feels drawn to rather than following external dietary trends.

4. Closed (Consistent and Repetitive)

Those with Closed digestion thrive on consistency and routine in their eating habits. They benefit from eating the same types of food regularly and do best when their meals are simple and repetitive. A drastic change in diet can disrupt their system, so they should honor their body's preference for familiar foods.

5. Hot (Warm Foods and Environment)

Individuals with Hot Digestion require warm foods to optimize their digestion. Their bodies function best when consuming cooked meals rather than raw foods. Additionally, being in a warm environment can support their overall digestion, and they should avoid eating in cold places.

6. Cold (Cool Foods and Environment)

The opposite of Hot Digestion, those with Cold Digestion thrive on cooler foods and drinks. Raw and lightly cooked foods tend to work best for them, and they should consume meals in a cooler environment. Overheating or eating hot meals may cause sluggish digestion or discomfort.

Beyond Food: Digestion of Life and Information

Ra Uru Hu often spoke about digestion beyond just food. In Human Design, digestion is also about how an individual absorbs and processes information, experiences, and sensory stimuli. When a person follows their correct digestion type, they also optimize how they take in knowledge and interact with their surroundings.

For example:

Someone with Consecutive Appetite digestion will also benefit from learning one subject at a time instead of multitasking.
A person with Closed Digestion may need structured, repetitive learning environments.
Those with Hot Digestion might find that their cognitive function improves in warm settings.

This understanding allows individuals to create a lifestyle that is fully supportive of their unique Design, leading to enhanced clarity, energy, and alignment with their purpose.

The Impact of Correct Digestion on Awareness

Ra Uru Hu emphasized that digestion is not only about physical health but also about expanding one’s awareness. When the body is properly nourished according to its Design, it creates the optimal conditions for correct cognition—the way an individual is meant to perceive and experience the world. In Human Design, cognition refers to the higher function of awareness, and it is deeply connected to the health of the body.

By aligning with the correct digestion type, individuals create the conditions for their mind and body to work in harmony, allowing them to make decisions with greater clarity and authenticity. This is why Ra Uru Hu placed so much importance on PHS—when we feed the body correctly, we nourish the mind and spirit, paving the way for living out our true Design.

The knowledge Ra Uru Hu transmitted about digestion in Human Design offers a radically different perspective on nourishment—one that is highly individualized and deeply connected to one’s overall well-being. Understanding one’s unique Determination through the Primary Health System allows for a more aligned and fulfilling life, supporting not only physical health but also cognitive function and spiritual clarity.

In a world that often promotes one-size-fits-all health advice, Human Design reminds us that each person is unique and must honor their individual needs. By tuning into our correct digestion type, we create the foundation for a life that is not only healthier but also more in harmony with who we are truly meant to be.

Ra Uru Hu’s teachings continue to provide deep insights into the mechanics of being human, offering a guide to those who seek to live in alignment with their true nature. Digestion, as he described it, is far more than just eating—it is a key to unlocking the full potential of our design and experiencing life in a way that is truly nourishing from the inside out.