Deep Dives is a series of editorial articles curated by Sacred Ohms with the purpose of going deep into culture-shifting topics related to the work done in retreats around the world.
We bring in some of the most extraordinary voices of our generation to walk through the processes that occur in these self-contained timed capsules.
According to the Dictionary, ontology is the area of philosophy concerned with the nature of existence. It studies why we are the way we are.
Ontological Design is the discipline of designing the human experience. It’s the idea that everything we design, in turn, designs us back. Through architecture, lighting, texture, sound, taste, words or experiences, we can change how we think and how we feel. Jason Silva summarizes this idea by saying that, “Spaces architect the mind.” Steven Johnson further elaborates: “Our thoughts shape our spaces, and our spaces return the favor.“
In this turbulent and era-defining time in the world, our mission at Sacred Ohms is crystal clear: to elevate human consciousness by supporting transformational retreats that can help people redefine their relationship with themselves, others, and nature.
We connect experienced Retreat Leaders with energetically aligned properties and we ensure that every Retreat Leader is supported on their work, as their work benefits all. Every retreat is a catalyst for personal growth, healing, and community building. Every retreat is a perfect example of Ontological Design, where every aspect of the journey for the participants is designed from beginning to end, putting the utmost care into each and every detail.
In this article, we will take a deep dive into the importance of considering Space, Experience, and Body-Mind Systems to create these short, but life-changing, journeys of the soul.
Design is something far more pervasive and profound than is generally recognized by designers, cultural theorists, philosophers or the average person, as it can pertain not only to how we build buildings, cars or furniture, but how we shape our thoughts or how we architect societies.
Ontological Designers use all the tools that design gives us—both tangible and intangible—to shape how people think and feel. To demystify this a bit, we want to say that everyone, including you, is an ontological designer. For example, we look to rent apartments with more light and plants because we know that makes us feel better in the spaces we live in. We do Yoga in the morning because we know that it will make us feel better all day. We are constantly designing our environment to change how we feel or think, knowingly or unknowingly.
Ontological Design is nothing but the awareness that our reality and perception are built by our environment and our words, and that we can have agency at designing how we feel and how we think. When we consider what happens inside these carefully crafted spaces, we turn to the technology of retreats and ask ourselves why is the work so transformational?
Retreats are designed containers to take the participants from A to B. Retreats are journeys. Each retreat and Property (or Ohm) opens up the delightful possibility of using space and experience to design a better world— a world where we can redefine our connection with Other, Self and Nature. Where we can redesign our social architecture, our communion with our environment. Where we can transform spaces to serve us better and foster connection. A regenerative world where we give more than we take and by the use of these tools we can make people happy(er) and more connected.
A world where we can foster Ecstasis, Catharsis and Communitas through ritual practice, art and experience.
By changing ourselves, we change our societies. I believe behavior is a function of culture. If we change culture, everything changes.
Daniel Pinchbeck writes in his article titled Ontological Intervention that “You could say paradigms are harder to change than anything else about a system […] But there’s nothing physical or expensive or even slow in the process of paradigm change. In a single individual it can happen in a millisecond. All it takes is a click in the mind, a falling of scales from eyes, a new way of seeing. […] While it is very difficult to change the underlying paradigm of society as a whole, any society is made up of individuals. Those individuals can undergo a paradigm shift at any moment. When enough individuals have made a shift, society as a whole will follow.”
Using Ontological Design we can transform our world to an unimaginable extent. And if we don’t get that far, at the bare minimum we can tend to and transform our own human experience. By applying Ontological Design principles we can make small changes that transform our daily experiences. By changing cold hospital white lights for warmer tones and beautiful wallpapers, we can accelerate healing. By letting the warmth of the sun bathe our faces for five minutes a day, by walking barefoot and feeling the soil more often, by playing music that is soothing to our nervous system, by designing green spaces and parks into our cities, by changing our language and how we refer to ourselves and others, we can change our very own state of being. We can exponentially improve our moods and our vision of the world with such small effort, and choose awe instead of darkness.
This is why we invented art, poetry, music, and color. So we can nurture our senses and remember why we are human.
The Ontological Design work done in retreats focuses on three major verticals: Space, Experience, and Body-Mind Systems.
We’ve invited some friends to expand on these concepts from their point of view:
Space By Christopher Pitcher
Have you ever noticed the feeling of walking into a church and your immediate draw to look up at the ceiling? Have you noticed the feeling of awe that those high ceilings have induced with their beautiful arches and stained glass windows? That is not an accident. Architects of churches have long known the way to make people feel connected to something greater than themselves.
Another example is walking into an immaculate five-star hotel room with fresh linens, amazing views, and welcoming lighting where every detail is considered. It induces us to feel taken care of and expansive. The space was designed for us to feel that way.
These are prime illustrations of the many ways that we can curate space to invite certain ways of being. As humans we are quite susceptible to our environment having an effect on our thoughts and feelings. From the shape of the spaces that we design, to the natural and produced lighting that we provide, combined with the way that we decorate the space—all are invitations into a collective way of being within that space. When you enter a space, think about all of the senses, even the ones beyond the traditional five senses. What are the sounds within the space? Are there water features that provide the soft ripple of running water? Is there light music to massage the ears? Are there flowers or incense creating gentle scents that waft into the nostrils as a guest walks in?
Without getting too esoteric, when we see everything as vibration, the combination of all of these different factors create a coherent frequency that retreat guests step into. The more alignment between all of them and the experience we are creating, the easier it is for retreat guests to attune to the collective way of being we are calling forth.
The impact of a space on the senses doesn’t stop with its design. The upkeep of that design is also vital. Cleaning and repairing a space regularly both physically and energetically is essential. Intentionality with design means nothing if someone is not devoted to maintaining it. Cleansing both physically and energetically ensures that the residue of a previous experience does not affect the next. Get out the soap, break out the sage, and make sure every corner is clear! People will not only see, but feel, the difference.
All of this combined with expert experience designers and facilitators can create exponential impact that guests will have a hard time putting their finger on. They might say it just feels like home, or I just feel so free or relaxed or held. These are signs that you have done a good job of curating and designing your spaces… of course if those words align with the design attributes you were going for ;).
Christopher Pitcher, is a regenerative futurist and serial entrepreneur with a diverse background in design thinking, whole systems design, and entrepreneurship. With a Masters in Design Thinking and an MBA. He has worked at the cutting edge of tech, creativity, spirituality and social good for over a decade. Christopher has produced 50+ events, 100+ videos, and worked with over 40+ startups in grounding their vision into reality. His broad travels to over 45 countries has given him a unique perspective and a global network of contacts and collaborators. As the CEO of multiple startups, Christopher has become an executive multitool and honed his ability to lead and inspire teams to achieve great things.
With his passion for creating a better future, Christopher is always looking for new ways to use his skills and expertise to make a positive impact on the world.
Instagram: @pitcherofthefuture
Linkedin:http://linkedin.com/in/christopherpitcher
Website: Christopher-Pitcher.com
the Essence of Ontological Design: Mind Body Systems
By Lyric Harmony
As a yogi, ritualist & ceremonialist, my journey has been a profound exploration of the mind-body connection and the ways in which our environment shapes our consciousness. Through transformative mind-body practices such as yoga, ritual and ceremony, I have come to understand the powerful role of ontological design in shaping our experience of the world. These practices illuminate how our surroundings influence our inner states and how we, in turn, can design these surroundings to cultivate deeper awareness and presence.
Yoga is a ritual for ontological design, aligning mind, body, and spirit through deliberate practice. By shaping our inner world with breath, movement, and meditation, yoga transforms how we perceive and interact with our environment, creating a dynamic, reciprocal relationship where both self and surroundings evolve together.
Ritual can be defined as a deliberate and recurring practice that not only shapes the environment but also plays a crucial role in shaping the self. Within this framework, rituals are seen as embodied actions that influence and transform our perception of reality, our behaviors, and ultimately, our being.
Ritual in Ontological Design
Rituals in ontological design are intentional practices that create a feedback loop between the individual and their environment. When we engage in a ritual, we are not merely performing an action; we are actively participating in the co-creation of our reality. These rituals can range from daily habits to more elaborate ceremonies, but in all cases, they are designed to cultivate a specific way of being and interacting with the world.
Through the repetition of rituals, we reinforce certain values, beliefs, and ways of seeing that, in turn, shape our environment. The space around us becomes a reflection of our internal states, and as we continue to engage in these rituals, the environment starts to “design us back,” influencing our thoughts, emotions, and actions. This reciprocal relationship between the self and the environment is central to ontological design, where rituals serve as tools for both personal and collective transformation.
Rituals in ontological design are therefore not static or arbitrary; they are dynamic processes that actively engage with and shape the lived experience. Whether through meditation, mindful practices, or communal ceremonies, these rituals create a bridge between the inner and outer worlds, fostering a deeper connection to the spaces we inhabit and a more profound understanding of our role within them.
Ritual: Bridging Worlds
Ritual is a powerful practice that engages all our senses, creating a bridge between tangible and intangible realms. Through intentional rituals that incorporate sound, scent, touch, taste, and sight, we create experiences that invite us into a state of heightened awareness. Ceremony can be seen as the orchestrated dance of rituals, where each ritual serves a specific role within the larger framework. The ceremony provides the context and the container within which the rituals unfold, creating a narrative or journey that leads participants through various stages of experience and transformation. In ceremony, we step outside the constraints of linear time and connect with the cyclical nature of existence and the interconnectedness of all things. This reminds us that we are not separate from the world around us but part of a larger tapestry of life. Through ceremony, we access a deeper understanding of our place in the universe and our role as co-creators of reality.
Sensorial Technology of Ceremony
The steps within a ceremony are not just symbolic; they serve as a technology that enhances our perception and deepens our connection to reality. Sensorial education, through the art of deep listening and memory, sharpens our ability to perceive the subtle layers of our environment and deeply contributes to our sense of design from an ontological perspective. In a ceremony, we move through the night, often sacrificing sleep and food in devotion to a singular intention, we journey through the four quarters of the night—a natural process of gestation and transformation.
Singing, drumming, and learning the story of sacred songs are not mere activities; they are tools that open the voice and coalesce with the rhythms of nature. These practices, combined with the ability to listen to silence teaches us how to find stillness amidst emotional storms, and the art of letting go. In the act of surrendering to discomfort, we trust in nature’s cycles of transformation, knowing that a new dawn will rise with the sun, bringing renovation and clarity.
For the past two decades, I have been a devoted student of ceremony, and I remain one still. Guided by Elders from both the North and South continents, I would partake in sacred rituals where prayer and the consumption of revered plants would open the gates to profound learning. In these hallowed spaces, I would come to understand that true education and the teachings of design emerge naturally when we attune ourselves to the demands of the present moment. The messages would arrive—sometimes through songs, sometimes through teachings, and sometimes in the way a fire would release a spark at the perfect moment, illuminating what I call “aha! moments.”
In many of these ceremonies, I would attempt to sit still, only to find myself writhing with the discomfort of my own mental and physical struggles. But then, a shift would occur. As I relaxed into the warmth of the fire, it was as if I were being embraced by a loving parent. Suddenly, everything would make sense.
In that moment, I would feel the duality of my mother’s resilience and my grandfather’s sternness, but also the depth of their care, wisdom, and guidance in living authentically and courageously. I would be overwhelmed with gratitude—for my parents, for the earth, and for the present moment. This gratitude would become the key to transcending the shadows of the past.
It was as though I were experiencing all of life’s peaks and valleys simultaneously—the union of negative and positive energies coalescing to birth something new: a belief, a habit, a way of being, revealing itself to me.
Beyond the fire’s warmth, I would witness the water come alive. Whether under the morning light or the midnight moon, she would sparkle with the essence of life. Every sip would feel like we were quenching not just our thirst, but the thirst of the world. In that moment, I understood the sacredness of slowing down, of offering thanks to the water, of singing to her praises. It would be in recognizing these simple elements that sustain life that we would begin to coalesce with them, to dream and create alongside them. This, to me, is the true inspiration of an ontological designer.
When we would align ourselves with nature and listen deeply, we would come to understand that everything is alive, each element carrying a force or energy eager to collaborate with us and the greater whole. These forces would guide us toward personal growth, understanding, and well-being, for the benefit of all. We are never truly disconnected from nature; we are forever entwined with the divine, no matter the dramas our minds create.
The elements would invite us to embrace mystery and inquiry, the perfect starting points for any designer. They would beckon us to ask, “What are my next steps? Show me a sign!”—to step aside and allow what is meant to be seen and heard to emerge.
In the heart of the ceremony, when humility opens the door, you might catch a glimpse of the water woman. There, seated in reverence, she would pray over the water, blowing sacred tobacco smoke on the shimmering water bowl, with sunlight streaming through. Her deep, beautiful prayer might touch your soul, and as you watched the smoke rise, it would twist and turn, taking shape, becoming a bird that, sharp like an arrow, would soar through the sky, releasing into the heavens.
In this way, the elements within the ceremony would mirror the principles of Ontological Design. Just as the spaces we create shape our lives, the rituals we practice carve out our inner landscapes. The interconnectedness of all things, the cyclical dance of time, and our role as active co-creators of reality are not merely abstract concepts—they are lived experiences, unveiled through the sensorial technology of ceremony
Designing a Regenerative Future
The purpose of these practices is to co-create a regenerative future that honors our truest nature. Inspired by my journey and integration of deeply lived mind-body experiences, I’ve realized that our true essence is our connection to a divine source. Transcending time and space through these practices brings profound healing, regenerating the present, healing the past, and nurturing the future we aspire to create.
As philosopher John Muir said, “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.”
Sources:
Heidegger, Martin. Being and Time. Translated by John Macquarrie and Edward Robinson, Harper & Row, 1962.
Muir, John. My First Summer in the Sierra. Houghton Mifflin, 1911.
Lyric Harmony, is a creative director, perfumer & experience designer as well as the Marketing Director of Sacred Ohms. She passionately creates peak educational immersive experiences steeped in deep, playful & mytho poetic narratives.
Through meticulous attention to detail, she cultivates ambient environments that evoke beauty, art & transformation, utilizing eco-sensual themes, botanical elements, fragrances, and ambiance to bridge inner and outer worlds.
With a comprehensive educational background spanning ecological design, perfume distillation, and the Vedas, Lyric’s expertise embodies a fusion of multisensory arts and ecological principles. Collaborating with influential figures, she has played a pivotal role in shaping educational paradigms at renowned festivals like the Lightning in A Bottle Festival, Symbiosis Festival, Envision Festival & Boom Festival.
During her tenure with Living Village Culture (LVC), Lyric led the integration of ethical and immersive experiences into festivals worldwide, forging connections with influential mentors, educators & eco village founders.
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Ontological Design is ultimately concerned with designing the human experience. A better human experience. We shape our tools and our tools shape us in return. It’s time to move from hammers to (vegan) feather beds. It’s time to shape our spaces to architect our minds. It’s time to discover that we are all Ontological Designers.
To all of you, Ohm Owners, Retreat Leaders, and Experience Architects, we bow to you. We will continue building tools for you to do your work deeper and better. To contribute to the scaffolding you so you can continue raising consciousness one retreat at a time.
Nicolas Alcalá,
CEO of Sacred Ohms.
Nico’s Bio: “My commitment is to use Space and Experience to design a better world. A world where we can redefine our connection with other, self and nature. A regenerative world where we give more than we take. In recent years I’ve shifted my work towards this through the design and development of Metamodern Villages, intentional spaces and immersive narrative experiences to foster Ektasis, Catharsis and Communitas. I believe behavior is a function of culture. If we change culture, everything changes.”
Some additional links:
- 10 Ways to Thoroughly “Solarpunk” Society by Emil Ejner Friis
- Ecstasis & Catharsis: The Makers of Meaning by James Cussen
- The Ontological Design of Built Space by __________
- Ontological Design by Stephen Bau