Finding Everyday Awe

When a book title promises to change my life, I’m always skeptical. But that’s exactly what happened after I read psychologist Dacher Keltner 's Awe: The New Science of Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. Dr. Keltner’s invitation to seek out everyday awe has stayed with me, opening my eyes to delight in the little moments of my daily experiences.

Awe is considered one of the transcendent emotions, along with joy, gratitude, compassion and bliss. According to Keltner’s research, awe is “the experience of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your current understanding of the world.” It’s what makes us exclaim “Wow!” as it gives us chills or moves us to tears. When we tap into a sense of vastness, even in the smallest details, our perspective shifts. We become less self-focused, and life’s problems seem smaller as we contemplate the bigger picture.?

Through cross-cultural research, Dr. Keltner identified universal sources of awe, which he calls the Eight Wonders of Life:

·????? Nature: Whether marveling at the Milky Way far from city lights or zooming in to see the tiny feathers on a hummingbird (see video!), nature often leaves us awestruck?

·????? Cycle of Life: Witnessing a birth or a loved one’s passing can be a deeply moving experience. In nature, the changing seasons, like the drama of fall and spring, offer everyday moments of awe

·????? Visual Design: A stunning piece of art, an intricately designed building, or the mesmerizing beauty of fractal patterns can take our breath away

·????? Music: Whether we’re dancing with joy to a song or being moved to tears by a virtuoso performance, music can stir awe within us

·????? Collective Effervescence: Being part of a live music event or cheering with a crowd inspired by a powerful leader can create a deep feeling of connection

·????? Moral Beauty: Stories of great courage or profound tenderness often give us chills, reminding us of the beauty of human goodness

·????? Spirituality/Mysticism: Religious experiences, deep meditation, or even a psychedelic journey can dissolve our sense of separateness and open us to a feeling of profound oneness

·????? Epiphany: The flash of insight that shifts how we see ourselves or the world, showing us we’re part of something bigger?

Some life experiences touch on more than one of these wonders. For instance, birdwatching can connect us to nature, music (birdsong), visual design (vivid feathers), and even collective effervescence, like the time I witnessed a thousand Sandhill cranes lift off in unison, swooping overhead. People who’ve had near-death experiences often describe both the cycle of life and the mystical sensation of losing their sense of self and feeling part of a vast and unifying loving energy, resulting in epiphany about our interconnectedness.?

The real life-changing opportunity lies in finding awe in the everyday. By tracking these eight sources, I’ve realized awe has been with me all along—I’m just more intentional now about savoring it. Dr. Keltner suggests we look to young children as awe guides since everything is new to them. I’ve also taken his advice to go on "awe walks," where I slow down, savor the beauty along familiar routes, or explore new paths. Most of all, I’ve deepened my sense of wonder right in my own backyard. (In the video above, you’ll see the hummingbird babies that have delighted us all summer.)

By attuning yourself to the Eight Wonders of Life, you too can discover the awe that’s always been around you.