Boca Raton, FL -
Birds chirping as spring dawns. A symphony passage that sends you soaring. A breathtaking view while hiking. A baby’s giggle. These can be awe-inspiring, life-affirming experiences if you are willing to let them in.
What’s a formula for leading a good, meaningful life? “Finding awe on a regular basis, even if it is only for a couple of minutes a day,” writes Anjana Ahuja in the January 7-8 FT Weekend. She was reviewing UC Berkeley Professor of Psychology Dacher Keltner’s new book, “Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life.”
Keltner said on WBUR’s February 3 On Point broadcast that “awe is a defining human emotion” that can provide very clear, demonstrable physical and mental health benefits.” Indeed, Keltner and his team at Berkeley have verified empirical physiological and neurological benefits of awe.
Awe can send chills up your spine, bring you to tears, and send you to moments beyond words. It is both a product and a result of open-mindedness and a zeal for learning. In discussions about Cartesian consciousness, can there be any doubt that awe operates in both conscious and unconscious states - often simultaneously?
Keltner told On Point, “Awe, as powerfully as any state you can pinpoint, shifts you to being open and engaged and curious about the world.” It’s an antidote for all the cheap cynicism and complaining today that otherwise overwhelm awe, optimism, and human growth.
I regularly gulp mouthfuls of fresh air on our small mountain, marvel at each sunrise, see the beauty in my husband’s dinner presentations, relish both the simple joys and intricate complexities of a glass of wine or a roaring fire, and think of our mortal insignificance in the midst of Mother Nature.
Yes, wake up and smell the coffee. If time permits, look at the beans, too, and appreciate their own aesthetic. Consider where and how the beans were sourced. Sit outside to drink your coffee - even in chilly weather - and practice your observational skills for a few minutes. Yes, unfortunately, it’s then time to get to work. Make no mistake, however, practicing awe is a beautiful and essential part of life’s daily work.
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