Core Alignments & Regulation
One of the most underrated parts of PRISM is how core alignments shape the way we connect with people. When you share an alignment with someone, you’re speaking the same “function language.” You don’t need years of working together to build trust — it’s instant. You feel it in your body: the ease, the sense of being understood without having to over-explain. That’s co-regulation. Your nervous system is literally syncing with theirs because you’re aligned at a values level. On the flip side, when you’re with someone from an opposing alignment, it can feel like your body is saying “something’s off.” Not because they’re a bad person, but because they’re pulling in a direction that clashes with what grounds you. Their goals, priorities, and modes of relating just don’t harmonize with yours, so instead of regulation you get static. Here’s a real-world example: my friend (likely an EII) recently started at a hospital. She told me there’s one doctor she barely knows, never worked directly with — but she felt an immediate click with him. No history, no references needed. Why? Core alignment. They share the same outlook and values, so the trust and ease were there from the start. She also said there are other doctors she just can’t seem to relate to, where the energy feels tense or dismissive. That’s alignment clash: different priorities, different ways of showing up. It doesn’t mean either side is wrong — it just means they’re not speaking the same language. This is why alignment matters so much. When you’re with people in your alignment, regulation is effortless. When you’re with those far from it, you have to work harder to stay grounded. Trust your gut here. That “I feel safe with this person” vs. “I feel drained” is not random — it’s core alignment dynamics playing out in real time.