Seven Ways to Boost Awe and Wellbeing

“The feeling of awe and sense of wonder arises from the recognition of the deep mystery that surrounds us everywhere, and this feeling deepens as our knowledge grows.”

—Anagarika Govinda

Today’s short newsletter is adapted from a much longer article written by Paul T. P. Wong that revolves around Viktor Frankl, author of Man’s Search for Meaning.

In that piece, Wong includes this framework:

He explains the image with these two paragraphs:

The above figure shows that a self-transcendent life naturally involves two kinds of emotion of awe. The first kind of awe comes from our appreciation of all small wonders and deep mystery of everyday life even in mundane circumstances – a baby in her mother’s arm, a tiny wildflower in a rock, or the smile of a wrinkled and toothless old man. This emotion of awe involves a mixture of feelings when marvelling at human resilience, and a deep sadness toward suffering and death; this calm-based awe is like the sparkling still water that runs deep with dark undercurrents.

The second kind of awe arises from our encounters with something so spectacular, not only the vastness and beauty in nature that it takes our breaths way and transports us to a transcendental realm, but also in moral excellence or sacredness that moves our heart and soul deeply that it evokes emulation (Kristjánsson, 2017).

Since adopting the name Seek Awe for this newsletter, I have struggled with the perception that most people only think of awe in the second context. Very few would say that awe arises from a sense of wonder for the small wonders and deep mysteries that surround us.

I love Wong’s image because it puts awe in a much deeper and richer context.

Do you agree? I’d love to hear your thoughts.