AWE
- jalacopean
- Nov 20, 2023
- 1 min read
Psychology describes 8 sources in life to experience AWE:
1. Moral beauty. Nothing inspires us like others showing virtue, be it a soldier carrying his injured comrade to safety or a mother showing strength after losing her baby.
2. Collective effervescence. Ever been to a concert? The electrifying vibe, the group flow experience, that’s collective effervescence.
3. Nature. It’s hard not to feel small — in a good sense — when looking at the Rocky Mountains, a vast lake, or the stars in the sky.
4. Music. If you’ve ever had goosebumps when listening to a Mozart piece, you know music is more than just entertainment.
5. Visual design, art, and architecture. From the Great Wall of China to art deco buildings to the Mona Lisa, art captures and reminds us of the other forms of awe.
6. Spirituality, mysticism, and religion. While conversion and nirvana experiences are rare, meditation and other mindfulness practices can trigger awe as well.
7. Life and death. It is a miracle to be born, and it is a miracle to die. Whenever we are around for either, emotions abound.
8. Epiphany. Be it an insightful quote about Stoicism, a mathematical equation that clicks, or a shocking revelation by a friend: The truth can hit hard and suddenly, leaving us literally awe-struck.
- Dacher Keltner
AWE is a powerful medicine in our lives!
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