Have you ever gazed up in wonder toward the height of a giant tree? Or felt small at the center of a vast cathedral? Have you read a line of poetry or prose that seemed to join you, across time and space, with the author? Experiences like these can shift us into a different relationship with the world around us and our place in it. They can prompt feelings of openness, calm, and curiosity. We can be similarly stirred by the tenderness imbued by a sculpture, the syncopation in a favorite piece of music, or witnessing the kindness, generosity, or courage of others. Experiences like these can sweep our attention outward toward our interconnectedness. Each of these occasions offers an opportunity to experience awe.

Awe has been described throughout history from varied perspectives by artists, scientists, mystics, and religious figures. Recently, attention to the science of awe has increased, revealing awe as “the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends our current understanding of the world” (Keltner, 2023). We feel awe when we are amazed at things outside of ourselves. When we feel awe, we are rapt, curious, open minded, and humbled. If we think about how we experience awe in the body, we might recall wide-eyed breathlessness, having chills, or even crying or whispering, "Whoa.”

We might think of awe as associated with rare, peak experiences, but actually, it's available to us much more often than we may realize. This is great news because its benefits for our well-being are extraordinary. In fact, evidence suggests we may have a biological need for........

© Psychology Today