The Science of Awe by Dr. Summer Allen & The Greater Good Science Center
First, a quick thank you to everyone for joining us and showing interest in the knowledge we pursue to inform our practice, better ourselves, and be the best resources we can be. We’re excited to learn and share alongside you all. To kick off our blog series, we’ll be highlighting Dr. Summer Allen and the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley’s work on The Science of Awe.
Recently, a growing body of literature has explored and supported the power of awe. There are different ways to experience this emotion, such as seeing a massive waterfall, skiing on a cherished mountain, or experiencing a moving musical performance. According to Dr. Allen and the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, experiences of awe have the means to put people in “a self-transcendent state where they focus less on themselves and feel more like a part of a larger whole. In this way, awe can be considered an altered state of consciousness, akin to a flow state, in addition to an emotional state” (2018). Studies have even shown that awe has the power to make us feel more connected with others and to facilitate people to be more generous.
Given these understandings, among many more presented in the paper, an opportunity for both ourselves and our readers presents itself: to create experiences that facilitate a state of awe and pay attention to the potential effects it may have. If you get the chance, check out the link below to learn more about what this complex emotion can do for us when understood and harnessed.
Ways that we’ve been experiencing this include scheduling concerts, planning camping trips, and taking nature walks. What are some ways you can incorporate awe into your life?
