Awe

1. Awe is a universal emotion that connects us to something larger than ourselves

Awe is the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your current understanding of the world.

Definition of awe. This emotion arises when we encounter vastness that challenges our comprehension, whether physical (like a towering mountain) or conceptual (like a groundbreaking idea). Awe prompts us to reconsider our place in the world and our relationship to it.

Universal human experience. Research across 26 cultures reveals that awe is a universal emotion, experienced by people regardless of their background, beliefs, or socioeconomic status. It serves as a bridge between individuals and their broader environment, fostering a sense of connection to something greater than oneself.

Evolutionary purpose. Awe likely evolved to help our ancestors navigate and understand their world, promoting group cohesion and cooperation in the face of the unknown. Today, it continues to serve this function, helping us adapt to an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

2. Everyday awe can be found in eight wonders of life, from nature to human kindness

We can find awe anywhere. Because doing so doesn't require money or the burning of fossil fuels—or even much time.

Eight wonders of life. The author identifies eight primary sources of awe in our daily lives:

• Moral beauty (acts of kindness, courage, and overcoming)
• Collective effervescence (shared experiences like concerts or sports events)
• Nature
• Music
• Visual art and design
• Spiritual or religious experiences
• Life and death
• Epiphanies or big ideas

Accessibility of awe. Contrary to popular belief, awe doesn't require grand or expensive experiences. It can be found in simple, everyday moments, such as observing a sunset, listening to a moving piece of music, or witnessing an act of kindness.

Frequency of awe. Studies show that people experience awe on average two to three times a week. Cultivating awareness and openness to these experiences can increase their frequency and impact on our lives.

3. Awe transforms our sense of self, opening us to wonder and prosocial behavior

As our default self vanishes, other studies have shown, awe shifts us from a competitive, dog-eat-dog mindset to perceive that we are part of networks of more interdependent, collaborating individuals.

The "small self" effect. Awe diminishes our sense of individual importance, leading to what researchers call the "small self" effect. This shift in perspective allows us to see ourselves as part of a larger whole, rather than isolated individuals.

Increased prosocial behavior. As a result of this perspective shift, people experiencing awe are more likely to engage in prosocial behaviors, such as:

• Volunteering time
• Donating resources
• Helping strangers
• Cooperating with others

Enhanced cognitive flexibility. Awe also promotes cognitive flexibility and openness to new ideas. It encourages us to question our assumptions and consider alternative viewpoints, fostering creativity and problem-solving abilities.

4. Our bodies are wired for awe, as evidenced by tears, chills, and vocalizations

Darwin's reflections hint at three answers. A first is found in Darwin's musical "shivers," that bodily sign of merging with others to face mystery and the unknown.

Physiological responses to awe:

• Tears: Often accompany recognition of vast, uniting forces
• Chills or goosebumps: Signal merging with others to face the unknown
• Vocalizations: "Whoa," "Wow," and similar utterances express recognition of the sublime

Evolutionary origins. These physiological responses likely have deep evolutionary roots. For example, goosebumps may have originated as a way for social mammals to huddle together for warmth and protection when facing environmental challenges.

Neurological underpinnings. Awe activates specific brain regions, including those associated with self-awareness and social cognition. It also deactivates the Default Mode Network, which is linked to self-referential thinking, potentially explaining the "small self" effect.

5. Music and art serve as powerful cultural archives of awe

Music allows us to understand the great themes of social living, our identities, the fabric of our communities, and often how our worlds should change.

Music as emotional expression. Music has the unique ability to convey complex emotions and ideas without words. It can trigger physiological responses similar to those experienced during awe-inspiring events, such as chills or tears.

Visual art and awe. Art allows us to see the world through new perspectives, often highlighting the vastness and mystery that inspire awe. It can:

• Reveal hidden patterns and connections
• Challenge our assumptions
• Provide a safe space to contemplate difficult or overwhelming concepts

Cultural preservation. Both music and art serve as cultural archives, preserving and transmitting experiences of awe across generations and societies. They allow us to share and relive profound moments of wonder and transcendence.

6. Awe in nature promotes physical and mental well-being

Our need for wild awe is strong.

Health benefits of nature exposure:

• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Lower inflammation levels
• Improved cognitive function
• Enhanced mood and well-being

Awe walks. The author describes a practice called "awe walks," where participants intentionally seek out awe-inspiring natural settings. These walks have been shown to increase positive emotions and decrease stress, even in older adults.

Biophilia hypothesis. This concept, proposed by E.O. Wilson, suggests humans have an innate affinity for nature. Awe in natural settings may be tapping into this deep-seated connection, explaining its profound effects on our well-being.

7. Mystical and spiritual experiences are rooted in awe

Awe indeed follows Whitman's "beautiful laws of physiology." Our tears register our awareness of vast things that unite us with others. Our goose bumps accompany notions of joining with others and facing mysteries and unknowns together.

Universality of spiritual awe. Across cultures and religions, mystical and spiritual experiences often share common features with awe, such as:

• A sense of vastness or infinity
• Feelings of unity or interconnectedness
• Altered perceptions of time and space
• Ineffability (difficulty describing the experience)

Neuroscience of spiritual experiences. Brain imaging studies have shown that religious and spiritual experiences activate similar neural pathways as other forms of awe, suggesting a common underlying mechanism.

Psychedelics and awe. Research on psychedelic substances has revealed their ability to reliably induce awe-like states, leading to renewed interest in their potential therapeutic applications for conditions like depression and addiction.

8. Awe helps us grapple with life, death, and the human condition

Awe integrates us into the systems of life—communities, collectives, the natural environment, and forms of culture, such as music, art, religion, and our mind's efforts to make sense of all its webs of ideas.

Awe and meaning-making. By connecting us to something larger than ourselves, awe helps us find meaning in life's most profound experiences, including birth, death, and personal transformation.

Coping with mortality. Experiences of awe can reduce fear of death and increase acceptance of life's finite nature by placing individual existence in a broader context.

Fostering resilience. Regular experiences of awe can build psychological resilience, helping individuals cope with life's challenges by providing perspective and a sense of connection to enduring systems and ideas.

Last updated: September 20, 2024