Coming to our senses
I love nothing more than when I get to be out of my head and immersed in my senses. I am one of those people who make sense of the world and find my way through my senses. While I love to think and talk about ideas and far-off concepts, and I appreciate and need people around me who conceptualize the world into abstract ideas, I find myself constantly seeking to return to the grounding physical world of my senses. I love how landscapes look, materials feel against my skin, food tastes, and places smell. All of these sense inputs combine in my mind to form a mental collage of an environment that has strong emotional resonance for me and draws me back again and again.
At times I thought there was something wrong with this way of experiencing the world and felt like a bit of a misfit in the corporate world. After all, it sometimes seems a little trivial to be concerned with how things look or feel when we solve significant problems! Then a few months ago, in my studies of philosophy, I was introduced to “The Twelve Worldviews” by Rudolf Steiner. Finally, I found a description of how I see the world that made sense! In this classification, I am what is called a Sensationalist or a Sensualist. Now that may sound like I am prone to dramatic outbursts or a hedonist, but in Steiner’s definition, the short description of this is that I am someone who trusts what I experience directly through my senses. I feel my way through the world.
As I thought about it, this made sense.
In business negotiations, I am constantly trying to “sense” a solution that will satisfy all the parties in the transaction. When deciding between two options for a vacation destination, I try to get a sense of the vibe of the place and what it will feel like. And, of course, when deciding where to live, I am significantly motivated by the natural beauty of the surroundings, the visual qualities of the built environment, and access to good restaurants!
Sight is possibly the most important to me of all the senses, and I am moved deeply by visual impressions. As I write this, the sun on the lake out my window can take my attention away for several moments before I realize that I am lost in the view. Even more mesmerizing is watching the rolling ocean waves crash on the beach while the whales jump in the deeper water – this can consume me for an afternoon if I let it! I find that I am calmer and more centered in a beautiful natural environment and can immediately feel the effect in lower levels of agitation and restlessness. The other aspect of the visual environment for me is the built environment and the objects within it. I love nothing more than a beautiful structure that fits the environment in a way that enhances natural beauty. Then fill the space with creative, artistic touches that surprise and delight the viewer, and I am smitten!
A close second for me is Taste. I love nothing more than a delicious meal. This can be something simple that I prepare at home for me and my wife Karina or an elaborate wine-paired dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant, but if the flavors are balanced and the food prepared carefully, it always has the same effect – a feeling of euphoria as I savor all the tastes. Some of my most distinct memories center on fantastic meals I have shared with people I love.
Additionally, Touch has a special place in my world. My wife will always tell the story of when we met, and I was wearing a fuzzy cashmere sweater and how she was just so taken by the feel and look of that silly sweater (which I still own, of course). Textures and the way they feel are critical.
Now I have the privilege of building a community that considers and enhances the sensory experience for everyone who lives here. For the visual aspects, we have hired an internationally acclaimed architecture firm to design the property and buildings, and they have been very sensitive to creating something that fits well in this beautiful spot. The lead architect told me the other day that this is the most beautiful raw property they have ever worked on, and they want to respect that!
Beyond the architecture, we have engaged a highly talented interior designer to make sure that the spaces “feel” and live right and the material palette is integrated and enhances the overall experience. We have also hired a sculptor to design objects throughout the property and a muralist for one of the outdoor spaces for those surprising and delightful visual surprises!
For Taste, we will bring in a restaurant consultant to help set the menu and hire a chef with a vision aligned with ours. Sound is provided naturally by the ocean waves, of course, but can be enhanced through an available technology package with Sonos systems and thick 9mm tempered glass to keep sound out when desired. Your sense of Touch is satisfied through finely finished natural materials throughout the community.
And finally, Smell. In addition to the fresh scent of the ocean, my wife plans to have a signature scent for the community created in Mexico City for use throughout the common spaces.
For me, this is the place that I am compelled to return to again and again. A place where we can come back to our senses and have them all addressed and satisfied!
Ron