The expression
“I came to my senses” is interesting and important for a number of
reasons. One dimension of the expression
is that there is a strong implication that reason and intellect are not enough to feel
or be sane in any given situation. That at
least part of what grounds us is being present with our sensory experience. The habits of the mind in modern (especially
urban) culture are to always be racing, planning, multitasking to end of being
more productive and efficient. We call
this ambition. The problem is when we
spend too much time in the realms of the future we become disconnected from
experiencing the world as it is right now
in the present. When we are disconnected
with our senses we are disconnected from an important part of ourselves that
keeps us grounded and centered. The more
grounded and centered we are the better we can connect with others. So how can we come to our senses? One way is to intentionally acknowledge the
sensory experiences we are constantly having (i.e. how my clothes feel on my body, how it feels to sit in this
chair, how the air smells, how my food tastes, what are the colors and shapes
in my field of vision?). Another way is
to intentionally seek specific sensory experiences (i.e. smelling the roses,
making mash potatoes with your hands, watching clouds, slowly eating and
tasting your food, listening to music with your eyes closed). If we are seeking to connect with others we
are in a better position to do so if we first connect with ourselves by coming
to our senses.
