Awe

Awe is an investigation into a universal, powerful, much needed emotion we know next to nothing about, showing us that only when we feel a sense of wonder can we be wonderful human beings, and how to find that feeling not just in once-in-a-lifetime experiences but even amidst the slowly turning wheels of everyday life.

In his quest to understand awe, Dr. Keltner ran studies, conducted interviews, and visited prisons inmates. The result? A taxonomy of eight sources of awe:

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. Collective effervescence. Ever been to a concert? The electrifying vibe, the group flow experience, that’s collective effervescence. 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. Music. If you’ve ever had goosebumps when listening to a Mozart piece, you know music is more than just entertainment. 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. Spirituality, mysticism, and religion. While conversion and nirvana experiences are rare, meditation and other mindfulness practices can trigger awe as well. 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. 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.

The first 3 kinds of awe are personal and transformative, Keltner explains. They change how we relate to the world and one another. The second 3 kinds are cultural — awe codified in music, art, and texts.

While everyone responds differently to these types, we all feel awe in some form or other. Especially the last 2 kinds of awe are universal. Whenever we do experience them, they help us find and know our place in the world.

Have you noticed something? All 8 wonders of life are, by and large, free.

Awe is bigger than materialism, status games, and career success. It is free in most forms. Anyone can experience it, and more wealth barely helps. In Keltner’s studies, people hardly reported money-related events as awe-inspiring. “No one mentioned their laptop, Facebook, Apple Watch, or smartphone. Nor did anyone mention consumer purchases, like their new Nikes, Tesla, Gucci bag, or Montblanc pen.” Sure, you might feel awe seeing your daughter perform at her first flute concert or your team…