Written by Samantha Kussmann
The soothing presence of water, with its profound ability to reflect the natural rhythms of our internal world, holds a unique power over our mental well-being. Water, like the ever-changing tides within us, has the remarkable capacity to wash away negative energies and guide us back to a state of tranquility. It is by the water's edge that we are gently reminded of our innate capability to find harmony, deep alignment, and unwavering focus. This state of flow, marked by profound enjoyment, creativity, and wholehearted immersion in life, is not merely a product of pleasure; it is rooted in purpose. To attain this harmonious equilibrium, we must honor and nurture the sacred, healing, and purifying essence of our life-sustaining oceans, rivers, and seas.
Room + Fjord. Photo property of Manshaussen + Steve King
The pillars that are deeply embedded into Room and Wild surround 3 overarching elements - Room + Water, Room + Land, and Room + Sky. Each of the 400+ properties partnered with Room and Wild fall into these pillars in their own unique geographical location on earth. Join us in this adventure of self discovery and purpose while nourishing, healing, and aligning your body, mind and spirit. Enter that natural state of flow and be at one with the wildly respected and expansive water landscapes that patiently await your return.
“If the ocean can calm itself, so can you. We are both salt water mixed with air.”
Room + Sea. Photo property of Skinopi Lodge
Room + Sea. Photo property of Skinopi Lodge
Envision yourself floating on your back, the warm mineral-rich water kissing your skin and buoyantly supporting every inch of your being. Reaching a near zero-gravity state you feel your muscles begin to relax as the waves gently ebb and flow around you, and you begin to tune into your inner world. Your senses are enhanced, your heart rate slows and your breathing deepens as you begin to feel at one with the water that surrounds you. Carefully, you open your eyes to the golden sun peeking out from behind fluffy white clouds, as the breeze gently nudges them across the blue sky above. The feeling of tranquillity washes over you, and you are mindful once again of your surroundings.
Room + Sea. Photo property of Il Pelicano.
“It is not only on the surface of the sea where we find this peace, but deep within it as well. Some say that diving is the closest humans can get to flying. As we glide into an unexplored world of life underwater we are reminded of our freedom and our boundless state beyond form. For even in the most unfamiliar and uncharted waters, we can be brought back to our eternal being – to our oneness with the ocean and our inherent connection to mother nature. ”
There is no denying the healing effects of water and how its natural tidal rhythms can be linked to the changing tides within us – the ones that seemingly crash over us from out of nowhere and yet, with time, subside on their own. It is no wonder that in being by the sea we are reminded of our ability to wash away negative energies and realign our energetic fields to a state of calm. It is here that we rediscover our natural ability to reach an inner state of tranquillity, deep alignment and focus.
Room + Coast. Photo property of Cuixmala.
It is now scientifically proven that water is as alive as any other elemental source and how we interact with it affects its composition and state of being. When we speak lovingly to water and expose it to complex musical pieces like Mozart, its cells move and crystallize into the most gorgeous structural forms. And, it is not only our words that impact its state but also our thoughts. Because we are mostly made up of water, our internal transformation and healing can be achieved by continuously speaking lovingly to ourselves and raising our vibrations, both internally with thought and externally through nature. Water shows that gentleness, when persistent, is the maker of great transformations.
Room + Ocean. Photo property of Kenoa Hotel.
Room + Ocean. Photo property of the Manta Resort.
To reach this aligned state of flow – a state of deep enjoyment, creativity and a total involvement with life – one must not only find pleasure in what they are doing but also a purpose. This purpose needs to be fulfilled, not only by indulging in travelling for pleasure, but by helping to nurture and honour what many have historically considered divine, healing and purifying – our life-sustaining oceans, rivers and seas.
“Whether you view it from the perspective of spirituality or science, our energetic fields, bodies and minds are an expansion of this universe and we are most at peace when we return to our elemental sources – water, land or sky. It is here that we enter a state of flow and our ability to absorb sensations without seeking to understand them, by being present and fully experiencing them.”
Room + Lake. Photo property of Il Sereno.
This flow state becomes more pronounced as we are pulled out of our familiar, socially constructed boxes, into the present moment and the world around us. It is when we discover a new favorite dish, song or cultural experience. It is while traveling to pristinely protected natural landscapes, that we are exposed to a different perspective and a new way of being in the world. It is here that we learn that our differences stem from the interconnectedness of all things.
Room + Bay. Photo property of Cap Rocat.
“This act of “losing yourself” in the art of travel can be more accurately described as the art of setting aside preconceived conditionings and returning to oneself. This creates the sensation of feeling at home, not because our surroundings are familiar, but because we are at home within nature, at home within the sea and, ultimately, at home within ourselves. ”
Room + Sea. Photo property of Gundari.
In the pursuit of exploring the deeper water of your being through travel, you must let the mystery pull you away from the safety of the shore, so you may come to know the purity of who you are – a being aligned in body, mind and spirit. Our deepest hunger is for a connection with our source, our essence. This is what motivates our lives – to remember from what we came, to rejoice in the mystery, to dance with all of life and to revive the spirit. It is done by coming into communion with the unknown, while feeling upheld by a reverberating trust that we cannot give a name to, a trust that comes from being reconnected to what we are made of. It is no coincidence that the body is on average over 60% water. Return to whatever body of water speaks to you, return to your source.
“Be at one with the wildly respected and expansive water landscapes. Immerse your senses. Realign to a state of flow.”
Room + Lagoon. Photo property of Retreat at Blue Lagoon.
Room + Wild is the leading content platform for landscape-enhanced architecture, ecotourism, nature-based destinations, and sustainable travel experiences. We work with extraordinary retreats all over the world to inspire, influence, and spread awareness of landscape architecture, environmental initiatives, and earth mindfulness.
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