Somya: Do you experience synesthesia?

Harriotte: Yes, I do. For example, if you say “5”, it’s pale green. If you say “A” it’s sort of a reddish brown. I don’t think about it very often, but a lot of people ask me, “is your sense of color even accurate?” But I mean who knows! Now, what I have and what most others don’t seem to have is extremely finely calibrated listening and texture. Sometimes I feel as though I’m eavesdropping on human beings because I take so much more that other people do not.

Somya: Has your perception of people changed? For example, with sight we tend to separate people depending on their skin color. We’re always judging others based on their physical appearance. 

Harriotte: That was gone so early in my life. I’ve told people for years, I’m grateful to not be able to see, because I don’t have to evaluate people that way. And people have told me that they feel more comfortable speaking with me because they don’t feel judged. And the need I have for people (because I need assistance crossing the road or getting off the train) gives me all these opportunities to interact with people. All spiritual paths seem to say, “We’re here to be of service to each other.” The funny part is I feel people are always always of service to me. And what I don’t get sometimes is that maybe just by the human connection, I’m of service to them. 

Somya: Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about our perception of time, so I’m wondering how do you perceive time?

Harriotte: That is a very fine question. Here’s the weird thing (and I’ve had this my whole life), if I said to you, “Is it 2:55 pm right now?” And I have no idea what time it is, I made that up completely. But often, more often than not, it will be fairly close to my prediction. 

Somya: Really!? Okay, let me check the time right now. Oh my god! It’s 2:57 pm. 

Harriotte: And that’s without thought. It’s just what popped in my head. So that’s one playful aspect of time. But one of the things I’ve noticed that has shifted for me, and I’m so grateful, is that I have an increasing capacity to live in the present. So, I’m sitting here with you and I’m not thinking about the next thing to do or the last thing I did. I’m just ecstatic to be in this conversation with you. And I’ve had this desire to have time be my handmaiden, rather than my master. 

Somya: Do you have any words of wisdom for my generation? 

Harriotte: Do everything you can to learn to love and care for yourself. And then you’ll be able to love and care for others. And that love of the self can grow into a healthy confidence that your voice matters. And lastly, I’ve lived in communal housing since the 1980s, and people tell me that’s a hard way to live! But I say, the rewards are so much greater if you’re willing to be that vulnerable and seek out people who are willing to work on things together. So that’s another thing to consider, to live in community.