When we think about happiness and how to live a good life, we might think about things like gratitude, savoring, or mindfulness. But many of us may not consider another special sauce: AWE.
Awe is more than just seeing something beautiful or being moved because you’re impressed by the majesty of sometbint. I like Dachner Keltner’s definition: Awe is the emotion we feel when we encounter something vast and beyond our understanding and it shifts our perspective, He says it’s often triggered by experiences that involve novelty, beauty, or moral goodness, and it creates a sense of connection to something greater than ourselves.
Awe also isn’t something we passively receive like taking in a good view. It actually shifts our view of the world and our place in it, often helping us feel a greater sense of interconnectedness with the world around us.
Of course, a lot of us may think of awe in terms of nature – sunsets, starry skies, shooting stars. But studies show us that what elicits awe the most in us isn’t things like towering pyramids or mountain peaks.
What’s fascinating is what really elicited awe was witnessing the courage, kindness, strength, and resilience of other people. That’s right – ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Keltner calls this “moral beauty.” And I think it’s something we could all use these days, right?
These small acts of kindness – helping someone cross a road, or paying for the toll of the car behind you, or buying a stranger a coffee – can have a big emotional impact. They leave us with hope in human beings.
Another moment of awe is when we witness people having courage in the face of adversity, like a friend speaking out against injustice, or a colleague standing up for someone who’s being treated unfairly. This is “moral courage,” and it helps us feel awe by showing us the power of standing up for what’s right, even when it’s risky.
Clearly, awe is more than just an emotional reaction to those big, impressive, extraordinary events or phenomena we experience. It’s more often a deep, shared experience that can deeply change how we see ourselves and the world.
I think we need more of this awe in our lives. More stories of human goodness. More recognition of the extraordinary things people do without seeking the spotlight.
I want to live in a world where goodness is celebrated, where these acts of kindness are just as awe-inspiring and important as the most epic Kona sunset or the most stunning mountain.
Awe also allows us to experience what’s called “collective effervescence.” THis is the feeling of moving together with others in a shared experience. When we dance, chant, rally, or even just walk together, suddenly the energy in the air becomes palpable.
There’s something awe-inspiring about being part of a group, moving together in unison, and sharing a moment of collective joy. It’s not about the individual. It’s about the energy we can create as a community, right? When we’re together, we remember that we’re all connected.
Now, I want to circle back to nature, because it’s still one of the most awe-inspiring elements of the world. Nature has the ability to stop us in our tracks. The sound of moving water, the smell of flowers, the sight of a beautiful landscape – all of these natural elements help us feel more grounded and connected to the world around us.
From a Buddhist perspective, awe and wonder are linked with mindfulness. It’s harder to experience awe without being mindful of the world around us.
In fact, mindfulness is the perfect practice for cultivating awe, because it encourages us to pay attention to the present moment – the one we so often miss when we’re caught up in distractions.
It’s only when we are truly present that we can allow awe to arise.
One way to start cultivating awe in our daily lives is by having a mindfulness practice or a meditation practice. Whether we meditate on the natural world, human kindness, or the interconnectedness of all beings, these practices can help us remain open to the awe that is always available to us.
We can also seek out moments of connection and embrace the idea of collective experiences. Communal meals, singing with friends, or just being present with the people around us… all of this brings us closer to each other and amplifies awe.
Ultimately, awe is a tool for connection – to ourselves, to the world around us, to others. It’s just about feeling good for a moment. It’s about actually shifting our perspective and tuning into the deep interconnection of life.
When we make room for awe, we open ourselves to wonder, to beauty, and to the truth that we are all part of something much larger than ourselves. By practicing awe, cultivating mindfulness, and embracing the small moments and the shared experiences, we can live a more enriched life, right?
We can awaken a deeper sense of connection, purpose, and wonder. Every day, no matter where we are.
You will learn:
// What awe is and why we need it to live a good life
// The different types of awe we experience, and why they’re all so critical in today’s world
// How awe connects us to each other and fosters community
// How awe and wonder are tied to our spiritual practice
// Ways we can begin to cultivate awe in our daily lives
Resources:
// Episode 155: Awe + Wonder Equals Connection
// Episode 188: Connected in Our Grief and Wonder
// If you’re new to the squad, grab the Rebel Buddhist Toolkit I created at RebelBuddhist.com. It has all you need to start creating a life of more freedom, adventure, and purpose. You’ll also get access to the Rebel Buddhist private group, and tune in every Wednesday as I go live with new inspiration and topics.
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