The Mystery Of Flavor
Tuesday begins. The day promises to be full. The launchpad for my life is Starbucks as usual. I have adjusted long ago to the full-bodied flavor of the Starbucks brand of coffee, and confess that I look forward to my first cup, and to my second cup, etc. etc. How do they achieve the consistent flavor day by day? That’s easy to answer. Starbucks cares about flavor, and they have invested in a state of the art machine that rapidly brews each cup. Also, the organization is renowned for the training program which educates each employee to prepare the many beverages on the menu, each of which can be customized by customers. Writing compels me to think about the depth of the single topic: ‘coffee flavor.’ The awe/appreciation which I experience at the taste of a distinctive flavor of this cup grows richer, filled out, robust and informed, as a consequence of my focus.
Later today I will join with fourteen others at the library for our first session dedicated to thinking and conversing about the topic of ‘Awe’. I know, I know this all impresses as uncomfortably academic, an obscure topic. I am happy to join though, as the topic first came to my attention in my late 20s as a college student. Rudolf Otto, a late 19th century historian of religion authored a book, The Idea of the Holy, which built upon American psychologist, William James, Varieties of Religious Experience. Otto’s work influenced many early 20th century theologians such as Karl Barth, Paul Tillich, C. S. Lewis, and J. R. R. Tolkien. Who would not notice that these individuals contributed to the mind of the West in the 20th century?
I am eager to discover what others will have to say, as we introduce ourselves, and hint at the types of experiences which have, and continue to amaze, and invite us.
Later in the day, I have an appointment with my dentist.
At times, I feel amazed by pain. And you?
