Before writing this blog post I listened to Joy Lab podcast episode 158: see your inner light with awe. Here are my takeaways…
Psychologist Aimee Prasek defines awe as “the experience of witnessing something without being able to put it into words or explain it” Being struck with awe may seem rare and outside our control but, in fact, awe is something we can cultivate.
On the podcast, Prasek reads Mary Oliver’s poem where does the temple begin where does it end by Mary Oliver. Prasek and cohost Dr. Henry Emmons point out that Oliver had a reverence for nature and saw its sacredness. It’s an attitude that encourages awe.
What gets in the way of our having that viewpoint?
There are a few habits of thinking (“cognitive behaviors”) that aren’t helpful.
- Overgeneralization is remembering a negative experience and expecting it to be true for all situations. For example, a person who, after failing a single job interview, assumes they will never find a job and will always fail in future interviews.
- Filtering is paying attention to negative experiences and disregarding the positive. “Somehow,” says Emmons , “we have convinced ourselves that the negative stuff is important to let in and the positive stuff isn’t.”
Being aware of those mental habits helps you move away from them. As Buddhist teacher Pema Chödrön says “don’t believe everything you think.”
Prasek describes some psychological research. In the study, 50 “older folks” were separated into two groups. Everyone walked 15 minutes once a week for eight weeks. People took selfies and answered a daily questionnaire about their emotions. The control group stopped there. The “awe group” took a new route each week and noted things that inspire awe.
The awe group reported less distress and increasing awe, joy, compassion, and gratitude. Their selfies showed more emphasis on the environment and less on themselves. This “small self” feels more connected, supported by and supportive of community and more in touch with a purpose.
Research shows that awe boosts feelings of generosity, well-being, and humility.
Generosity, gratitude, well-being, humility, and community in a sacred world? What a joy!
In your journal:
- what brings you awe?
- Write about a time you overgeneralized.
- Write about a time you filtered.