9781802061161

‘Twenty years of research has convinced this psychology professor that a little awe goes a long way. Here he sets out the various types, from “moral beauty” to “collective effervescence”, and offers tips for finding it, not just on mountaintops, but in everyday situations’

Dacher Keltner

Cover image: Getty Images

‘Your goosebumps when you listen to Beethoven; your wonder as you behold the Grand Canyon ... if you’ve ever wondered where these moments come from, and how to experience them more often: there is no better guide than Dacher Keltner’ SUSAN CAIN

‘A self-help manual intended to guide the reader towards their own source of everyday awe ... Keltner’s message, imploring us to smell the coffee and “whoa” at it, is a welcome one’

DACHER KELTNER AWE

GUARDIAN

Awe

P EN GUIN P RES S AWE

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AWE

‘A workbook for living a more awe-filled life . . . Awe makes a persuasive case for this neglected feeling and for a more meaningful existence with it at the helm’ Sarah Phillips, New Scientist ‘Keltner wants to revive the old sense of awe as an intense, life-altering feeling . . . offers a valuable corrective to our hyper-individualist culture’ Joe Moran, TLS ‘Fascinating and enjoyable’ Tomiwa Owolade, Sunday Times ‘Keltner writes movingly . . . Awe often defies language, but Keltner is highly attuned to its traces’ Edward Posnett, Guardian ‘Keltner has written the perfect guidebook for this journey, interweaving discoveries that he and his disciples have made since he pioneered the scientific study of awe 20 years ago with highly personal – and at times excruciatingly tender – meditations on the death of his brother Rolf’ Harvard Business Review ‘A gifted storyteller, Keltner draws on the experiences of individuals across the world to document the salutary impact of everyday, wild and mystical encounters with nature, music, visual art, literature, religion, the birth of children, and the death of loved ones’ Psychology Today ‘It is rare for a book to dive into a single emotion to analyse it from every possible angle. Dacher Keltner’s expertise makes it a fascinating and stimulating journey to recognize awe as a mysterious force in our lives’ Frans de Waal ‘We need more awe in our lives, and Dacher Keltner has written the definitive book on where to find it. As a preeminent expert on the science of awe, he does a masterful job demystifying this powerful emotion and unpacking how it both elevates us and grounds us’ Adam Grant ‘Through powerful and compelling stories of transformation and passion, Keltner expertly introduces us to feel the mighty emotion of AWE – something we all need more of in our lives’ Pete Docter

‘This extraordinary book explores the power of awe and amazement in our lives and in the life of this world. It reveals the gift of awe from the perspectives of science, the self, and society.

Written with passion and clarity, it is a book that itself nourishes awe and turns us toward our lives with fresh eyes and an open heart’ Roshi Joan Halifax ‘Our troubling times, our clickbait media, even our own habits of mind, blanket our consciousness with the negative and threatening in life. This book is a counter force. Powerful, erudite, rooted in brilliant research, but always fascinatingly accessible, it uplifts the wonderful in life. From the beauty of movement in sports to the moral courage of a friend, it’s a guide to how to see and experience the wonder that is always all around us. It balances consciousness.

It has been a long time since I’ve read anything as inspiring. I’d say race to read it. You won’t be disappointed’ Claude M. Steele ‘Dacher Keltner has written a deeply personal, scientifically brilliant treatise on an emotion he convinces us we need to experience more often in our daily lives’ Richard E. Nisbett ‘A researcher who has taught us new ways to think about generosity and cooperation has turned his attention to one of the most understudied emotions of all, awe. Eye-opening and mind-expanding’ Sarah Blaffer Hrdy ‘An engaging and insightful exploration of the ordinary magic that connects us to the world, to each other, and to the meanings of our lives. The “science of wow” has finally arrived’ Daniel Gilbert

A B O U T T HE A U T H OR Dacher Keltner is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and the faculty director of the Greater Good Science Center. A renowned expert in the science of human emotion and consultant to Pixar’s Inside Out, Dr Keltner studies compassion and awe, as well as issues of power, status, inequality and social class.

He is the author of The Power Paradox and the bestselling Born to Be Good, and the co-editor of The Compassionate Instinct.

Dach er K eltner Awe The Transformative Power of Everyday Wonder

P EN GU I N B O O K S

P E N GUIN B O O KS UK | USA | Canada | Ireland | Australia India | New Zealand | South Africa P E N GUIN B O O KS Penguin Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies UK | USA | Canada | Ireland | Australia whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com India | New Zealand | South Africa Penguin Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com

First published in the USA by Penguin Random House LLC 2023 First published in Great Britain by Allen Lane 2023 Published in Penguin Books 2024 001 First published in the USA by Penguin Random House LLC 2023 First published in Great Britain

by Allen Lane 2023 Copyright © Dacher Keltner, 2023 Published in Penguin Books 2024 The moral right of the001 author has been asserted © Dacher 2023Dickinson’s Poems: As She “There’s a certain Slant ofCopyright light,” on page 61, isKeltner, from Emily Preserved Them, edited by Cristanne Miller, copyright © 2016 by the President and Fellows The moral right of the has been asserted of Harvard College.

Used by author permission.

All rights reserved. a certain on page 61, Morales, is from Emily Dickinson’s Poems: As She “Letter“There’s of gratitude,” on Slant page of 84,light,” copyright © Yuyi is reprinted courtesy of Yuyi Morales.

Preserved Them, edited by Cristanne Miller, copyright © 2016 by the President and Fellows Used by permission.

All rights reserved.

“Poemof ofHarvard awe,” onCollege. pages 205–8, is reprinted courtesy of Yuria Celidwen.

“Letter of gratitude,” on page 84, copyright Yuyi Morales, reprinted courtesy Printed and bound in Great©Britain

by ClaysisLtd, Elcograf S.p.A. of Yuyi Morales.

“Poem of awe,” on pages 205–8, reprinted courtesy of Yuria Celidwen.

The authorized representative in theisEEA is Penguin Random House Ireland, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin D02 YH68 Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, Elcograf S.p.A. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library The authorized representative in the EEA is Penguin Random House Ireland, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin D02 YH68 ISBN: 978–1–802–06116–1 A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN: 978–1–802–06116–1 www.greenpenguin.co.uk Penguin Random House is committed to a sustainable future for our business, our readers www.greenpenguin.co.uk and our planet. This book is made from Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper.

Penguin Random House is committed to a sustainable future for our business, our readers and our planet. This book is made from Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper.

For Rolf Keltner

From Fromwonder wonderinto intowonder, wonder, existence existenceopens. opens.

••

Lao LaoTzu Tzu

Contents Contents Introduction Introduction xxvv

SECTION SECTIONI I

AA Science Science of of Awe Awe One. One. EIGHT EIGHT WONDER WONDERSS OF OF LIFE LIFE 33 Two. Two. AW AWEE INSIDE INSIDE OUT OUT 29 29 Three.

Three. EVOLUTION EVOLUTION OF OF THE THE SOUL SOUL 43 43

SECTION SECTIONIIII

Stories Stories of ofTransformative Transformative Awe Awe Four.

Four. MORAL MORALBEAUTY BEAUTY 69 69 Five.

Five. COLLECTI COLLECTIVVEE EFFERV EFFERVESCENCE ESCENCE 94 94 Six. Six. W WILD ILD AW AWEE 117 117

SECTION SECTIONIII III

Cultural Cultural Archives Archives of of Awe Awe Se Sevve en.n. MUSIC MUSICAALL AW AWEE 145 145 Eig Eighht.t. SACRED SACRED GEOMETR GEOMETRIES IES 166 166

Nin Nine.e. THE THE FU FUNDA NDAMENTA MENTALL IT IT 193 193

SECTION SECTIONIV IV

Living Living aa Life Life of of Awe Awe Te Ten.n. LIFE LIFE AAND ND DEATH DEATH 223 223 El Ele evve en.n. EPIPH EPIPHAANNYY 237 237

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments 251 251 Credits Credits 253 253 Notes Notes 255 255 Index Index 297 297

xxi ivv

Introduction Introduction

I

have have taught taught happiness happiness to to hundreds hundreds of of thousands thousands of of people people around aroundthe theworld. world.ItItisisnot notobvious obviouswhy whyIIended endedup updoing doingthis this work: work: II have have been been aa pretty pretty woundwound-up, up, anxious anxious person person for for sigsig-

nificant nificantchunks chunksof ofmy mylife lifeand andwas wasthrown thrownout outof ofmy myfirst firstmeditameditation tionclass class(for (forlaughing laughingwhile whilewe wechanted chanted“I “Iam amaabeing beingof ofpurple purple fire”). fire”). Life Life can can surprise surprise us, us, though, though, in in giving giving us us the the work work we we are are here here to to do. do. So So nearly nearly every every day day in in classrooms classrooms of of different different kinds, kinds, from fromkindergarten kindergartencircle circlerugs rugsto tolecture lecturehalls hallsin inBerkeley, Berkeley,from fromthe the apses apsesof ofchurches churchesto toinside insideprisons, prisons,from fromsterile sterileconference conferencerooms rooms in inhospitals hospitalsto togatherings gatheringsin innature, nature,I’ve I’vetaught taughtpeople peopleabout aboutfindfinding ingthe thegood goodlife. life.

What Whatwe weare areseeking seekingin insuch suchinquiry inquiryisisan ananswer answerto toaaperenperennial nialquestion, question,one onewe wehave havebeen beenasking askingin indifferent differentways waysfor fortens tens of ofthousands thousandsof ofyears: years:How Howcan canwe welive livethe thegood goodlife? life?One Oneenlivenlivened enedby byjoy joyand andcommunity communityand andmeaning, meaning,that thatbrings bringsus usaasense sense of of worth worth and and belonging belonging and and strengthens strengthens the the people people and and natural natural

I INNTTRROODDUUCCTTI IOONN

environments environmentsaround aroundus? us?Now, Now,twenty twentyyears yearsinto intoteaching teachinghappihappiness, ness,IIhave havean ananswer: answer: FIND FINDAWE. AWE.

Awe Awe isis the the emotion emotion we we experience experience when when we we encounter encounter vast vast mysteries mysteriesthat thatwe wedon’t don’tunderstand. understand.Why Whywould wouldIIrecommend recommendthat that you you find find happiness happiness in in an an emotion emotion that that isis so so fleeting fleeting and and evanesevanescent? cent? AA feeling feeling so so elusive elusive that that itit resists resists simple simple description? description? That That requires requires the the unexpected, unexpected, and and moves moves us us toward toward mystery mystery and and the the unknown unknownrather ratherthan thanwhat whatisiscertain certainand andeasy? easy?

Because Becausewe wecan canfind findawe aweanywhere. anywhere.Because Becausedoing doingso sodoesn’t doesn’t require requiremoney moneyor orthe theburning burningof offossil fossilfuels— fuels—or oreven evenmuch muchtime. time.

Our Ourresearch researchsuggests suggeststhat thatjust justaacouple coupleof ofminutes minutesaaday daywill willdo. do.

Because Because we we have have aa basic basic need need for for awe awe wired wired into into our our brains brains and and bodies, bodies,finding findingawe aweisiseasy easyififwe wejust justtake takeaamoment momentand andwonder. wonder.

Because Because all all of of us, us, no no matter matter what what our our background, background, can can find find our our own own meaningful meaningful path path to to awe. awe. Because Because brief brief moments moments of of awe awe are are as asgood goodfor foryour yourmind mindand andbody bodyas asanything anythingyou youmight mightdo. do.

My Myhope hopefor foryou youin inreading readingthis thisbook bookisissimple— simple—ititisisthat thatyou you will willfind findmore moreawe. awe.

In Inthe theservice serviceof ofthis thisaim, aim,IIwill willneed needto totell tellyou youfour fourstories. stories.

The Thefirst firstisisthe thenew newscience scienceof ofawe. awe.In Inways waysIIam ambeginning beginningto to understand, understand, II was was raised raised to to study study awe awe with with the the tools tools of of science. science.

My Mymom momtaught taughtpoetry poetryand andliterature literatureatataalarge largepublic publicuniversity, university, and andin inhow howshe shelived livedher herlife lifeshe shetaught taughtme meabout aboutthe thewisdom wisdomof of the thepassions passionsand andto tospeak speaktruth truthto topower. power.My Mydad dadpainted paintedin inthe the horrifying horrifying and and beautiful beautiful style style of of Francisco Francisco Goya Goya and and Francis Francis Bacon Baconand andsuggested suggestedthat thatlife lifeisisabout aboutseeking seekingthe theTao Taowith withyour your Zen Zen mind, mind, beginner’s beginner’s mind. mind. II grew grew up up in in wild wild Laurel Laurel Canyon, Canyon, xxvvi i

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California, California,in inthe thelate late1960s, 1960s,with withthe theDoors Doorsand andJoni JoniMitchell Mitchellas as neighbors, neighbors, and and then then in in the the hardscrabble hardscrabble foothills foothills of of the the Sierras, Sierras, where where aa poor, poor, rural rural wildness wildness prevailed. prevailed. The The soaring soaring ideas ideas of of the the times— times—civil civil rights, rights, antiwar antiwar protests, protests, women’s women’s rights, rights, sexual sexual and and artistic artisticrevolution, revolution,Watergate— Watergate—filled filledthe theconversations conversationsatatour ourdindinner nertable tableand andposters posterson onthe thewalls wallsof ofour ourhome. home.

II spent spent unusual unusual amounts amounts of of time time as as aa child child looking looking atat art art and and hearing hearingabout aboutgreat greatscenes scenesand andcharacters charactersin innovels, novels,poems, poems,paintpaintings, ings, and and films. films. But But II showed showed no no early early talents, talents, to to my my chagrin, chagrin, for for literary literaryanalysis analysisor orwriting writingfiction, fiction,nor norpainting paintingor ordrawing, drawing,for forthat that matter. matter.Instead, Instead,IIwas wasawestruck awestruckby bydinosaurs, dinosaurs,natural naturalhistory historymumuseums, seums,sports sportsstatistics, statistics,basketball, basketball,the theBeatles, Beatles,the thebiological biologicallife life of ofponds pondsand andcreeks, creeks,and andbeing beingnear nearmountains, mountains,rivers, rivers,and andwidewideopen, open,starstar-filled filledskies. skies.Given Giventhe thepassionpassion-filled filledhome homeand andthe thepaspassionate sionate era era II was was raised raised in, in, II guess guess itit makes makes sense sense that that II would would devote devote my my career career to to mapping mapping emotions emotions with with science, science, first first atat the the University University of of Wisconsin– Wisconsin–Madison Madison and and then then atat University University of of CaliCalifornia, fornia,Berkeley.

Berkeley.

Early Early in in my my career, career, II spent spent hundreds hundreds of of hours hours in in aa basement basement lab labdiscerning discerningin inframeframe-byby-frame framevideo videoanalysis analysisthe theexpressions expressionsof of embarrassment embarrassmentand andshame— shame—fitting fittingfor forthe theparanoid paranoidyoung youngprofesprofessor sorthat thatIIwas. was.With Withthe thearrival arrivalof oftwo twodaughters daughtersand andthe thedelights delights of offamily familylife lifefilling fillingmy mydays, days,IIwould wouldturn turnto tothe thewonders wondersof oflaughlaughter, ter, how how we we express express love love in in the the face face and and body, body, the the vocalizations vocalizations and andphysiological physiologicalpatterns patternsof ofcompassion, compassion,and andhow howwith withsimple simpleacts acts of oftouch touchwe wecan canexpress expressgratitude. gratitude.This Thiswork workwas wasanimated animatedby bythe the thesis thesis that that emotions emotions like like compassion, compassion, gratitude, gratitude, and and love love are are the the glue glue of of social social relations, relations, which which II summarized summarized in in my my book book Born Born toto Be BeGood: Good:The TheScience ScienceofofaaMeaningful MeaningfulLife.

Life.

What What about about awe, awe, though? though? IsIs awe awe aa fundamental fundamental emotion, emotion, aa xxvvi i i

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universal universalcore coreto towho whowe weare, are,like likefear, fear,anger, anger,or orjoy? joy?How Howwould would one one study study awe awe scientifically? scientifically? Measure Measure feelings feelings that that seem seem beyond beyond words? words?Could Couldwe webring bringawe, awe,so somysterious mysteriousin inhow howititarises, arises,reliably reliably into intothe thelab? lab?

Fifteen Fifteenyears yearsago, ago,my myPhD PhDstudents studentsand andIIas aswell wellas asother othersciscientists entistsaround aroundthe theworld worldbegan beganto tofind findawe awein inthe thelab. lab.We Wecharted charted this thiselusive elusiveemotion emotionwith withnew newmeasures measuresofofthe thebrain brainand andbody, body,physphysical ical responses responses like like tears tears and and piloerection piloerection (the (the contraction contraction ofof small small muscles muscles surrounding surrounding hair hair follicles), follicles), sensations sensations like like the the chills, chills, and and demonstrations demonstrationsofofhow howawe awetransforms transformsthe theways wayswe wethink thinkand andact. act.

We We have have studied studied how how we we feel feel awe awe near near great great trees trees and and in in looking looking out out atat panoramic panoramic views. views. At At sporting sporting events, events, punk punk rock rock shows, shows, and and in in the the flowing flowing effervescence effervescence ofof dance. dance. In In mystical mystical experiences experiences in in prayer, prayer,meditation, meditation,yoga, yoga,and andduring duringpsychedelic psychedelictrips. trips.In Inpeak peakexexperiences perienceswith withmusic, music,visual visualart, art,poetry, poetry,fiction, fiction,and anddrama. drama.Science Science found foundawe, awe,producing producingthe thefirst firststory storyofofawe aweIIwill willtell. tell.

Before Before science, science, humans humans were were making making sense sense ofof awe awe in in forms forms ofof culture. culture.The Thesecond secondstory storywe wewill willhear, hear,then, then,isishow howculture culturearchives archives awe. awe. This This isis aa story story ofof how how we we create create music, music, visual visual art, art, religion, religion, fiction, fiction, and and film film to to share share in in experiences experiences ofof awe, awe, so so that that we we may may understand understandthe thevast vastmysteries mysterieswe weface facetogether togetherin inaaculture culturewe wecall call our our own. own. Awe Awe animates animates the the stories, stories, ceremonies, ceremonies, rituals, rituals, and and visual visual designs designs ofof Indigenous Indigenous peoples peoples dating dating back back tens tens ofof thousands thousands ofof years. years.You Youmight mightthink thinkofofthese theseas asour ourfirst firstawe awetechnologies. technologies.Awe Awe structures structuresthe thelegends, legends,myths, myths,temples, temples,and andsacred sacredtexts textsofofreligions. religions.

ItItjumps jumpsout outofofpaintings, paintings,photographs, photographs,and andfilms, films,from fromGoya Goyato toBerBerlin lin street street artists artists to to the the films films ofof Miyazaki.

Miyazaki. And And you you can can sense sense itit in in your yourbody bodyand andfeel feelits itsform formin innearly nearlyevery everykind kindofofmusic, music,from fromthe the sounds soundsofofthe thekora koraofofWest WestAfrica Africato toan anIndian Indianraga ragato toNicki NickiMinaj.

Minaj.

Science Science tends tends toward toward generalization. generalization. Cultural Cultural forms forms aspire aspire to to xxvvi i i i

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idealization, idealization, and and often often some some perfection perfection of of form. form. There There isis aa third third story storyof ofawe awewe weneed needto tohear, hear,the thepersonal personaland andfirstfirst-person. person.This This became becameclear clearto tome mewhen whenIIasked askedpeople peoplethis thisquestion questionand andlistened listened to tothe thestories storiesthey theytold: told: What What isis an an experience experience ofof awe awe that that you you have have had, had, when when you you encountered encounteredaavast vastmystery mysterythat thattranscends transcendsyour yourunderstandunderstanding ingofofthe theworld? world?

IfIfyou youhave haveaaspare sparemoment, moment,you youmight mightthink thinkof ofan anawe awestory story of ofyour yourown. own.

The Thestories storiesIIheard heardpeople peopletell tellreveal revealtimeless timelesstruths truthsabout aboutawe. awe.

About Aboutthe theawe aweof ofwatching watchingaaquadriplegic quadriplegicperson, person,aaformer formerOlympic Olympic athlete, athlete, take take his his first first steps steps while while recovering recovering from from aa devastating devastating injury injuryto tohis hisspine. spine.Or Orbeing beingin inthe thefront frontrow rowof ofaaColtrane Coltraneconcert concert when when he he was was just just breaking breaking big. big. Or Or from from aa woman woman in in the the CIA CIA atat Abu AbuGhraib, Ghraib,who whodiscovered discoveredher herpacifism pacifismin inlooking lookingatatthe thecurrents currents of ofthe theEuphrates EuphratesRiver.

River.

Moved Movedby bythese thesenarratives, narratives,IIgathered gatheredpersonal personalstories storiesof ofawe awe from from doctors, doctors, combat combat veterans, veterans, professional professional athletes, athletes, prisoners, prisoners, writers, writers,environmentalists, environmentalists,poets, poets,musicians, musicians,artists, artists,photographers, photographers, filmmakers, filmmakers,ministers, ministers,Indigenous Indigenousscholars, scholars,spiritual spiritualpilgrims, pilgrims,midmidwives, wives, and and hospice hospice workers. workers. Stories Stories about about the the courage courage of of people people who whosuffer sufferwith withdisease diseaseand andhow hownature naturetransforms transformsthe thetraumas traumasof of combat. combat. Of Of how how music music allows allows us us to to find find home home in in aa strange strange land. land.

About Aboutwhat whatititisislike liketo tonearly nearlydie, die,and andhow howwe wemake makesense senseof ofsuch such extraordinary extraordinary experiences. experiences. These These personal personal stories stories revealed revealed firstfirstperson person truths truths in in aa particularity, particularity, metaphor, metaphor, image, image, and and vernacular vernacular that that science science simply simply cannot cannot capture, capture, and and that that cultural cultural forms forms only only approximate. approximate. xxi ixx

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These Thesethree threestories storiesof ofawe— awe—the thescientific, scientific,the thecultural, cultural,and andthe the personal— personal—converge convergeon onan anunderstanding understandingof ofhow howwe wecan canfind findawe. awe.

Where Where do do we we find find it? it? In In response response to to what what II will will call call the the eight eight wonders wondersof oflife, life,which whichinclude includethe thestrength, strength,courage, courage,and andkindness kindness of of others; others; collective collective movement movement in in actions actions like like dance dance and and sports; sports; nature; nature;music; music;art artand andvisual visualdesign; design;mystical mysticalencounters; encounters;encounencountering teringlife lifeand anddeath; death;and andbig bigideas ideasor orepiphanies. epiphanies.These Thesewonders wonders are are all all around around us, us, ifif we we only only pause pause for for aa moment moment and and open open our our minds. minds.There Thereare areso somany manyopportunities opportunitiesfor foreveryday everydayawe. awe.

How How does does awe awe transform transform us? us? By By quieting quieting the the nagging, nagging, selfselfcritical, critical,overbearing, overbearing,statusstatus-conscious consciousvoice voiceof ofour ourself, self,or orego, ego,and and empowering empoweringus usto tocollaborate, collaborate,to toopen openour ourminds mindsto towonders, wonders,and and to tosee seethe thedeep deeppatterns patternsof oflife. life.

Why Whyawe? awe?Because Becausein inour ourdistal distalevolution evolutionas asvery verysocial socialmammammals, mals,those thoseindividuals individualswho whounited unitedwith withothers othersin inaweawe-like likepatterns patterns of of behavior behavior fared fared well well in in encounters encounters with with threats threats and and the the ununknown. known. And Andbecause becausein inthe themore moreproximal proximalcalculus calculusof ofthriving thrivingin in the the present, present, awe awe brings brings us us joy, joy, meaning, meaning, and and community, community, along along with withhealthier healthierbodies bodiesand andmore morecreative creativeminds. minds.

There Thereisisone onelast laststory storyof ofawe awethat thatled ledme meto towrite writethis thisbook, book, one oneIIhad hadno nointerest interestin inbeing beingpart partof. of.That Thatstory storybegan beganon onaablusblustery teryJanuary Januaryday dayin in2019.

2019.

On Onthat thatday, day,IIstepped steppedoff offaahandball handballcourt, court,sweaty sweatyand andunburunburdened, dened, having having finished finished aa tough tough game game with with my my longtime longtime partner, partner, Isaac.

Isaac.IIlooked lookedatatmy myiPhone iPhoneon onmy mygym gymbag. bag.Two Twotexts. texts.

From Frommy mybrother’s brother’swife, wife,Kim: Kim: Can Canyou youcome comehere hereas asfast fastas aspossible? possible?

Fifteen Fifteenminutes minuteslater laterfrom frommy mymom: mom: xxxx

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It’s It’sover. over.Rolf Rolftook tookthe thecocktail. cocktail.He Heisisleaving leavingus. us.

Rolf Rolfisismy myyounger youngerbrother, brother,born bornaayear yearafter afterme mein inaasmall smallclinic clinic in inJalisco, Jalisco,Mexico.

Mexico.The The“cocktail” “cocktail”was wasthe thecombination combinationofofendend-ofof-life life opiates opiateshe hetook, took,which whichusually usuallyends endsaahuman humanlife lifein inan anhour houror ortwo. two.

IIcalled calledKim, Kim,who whosummarized. summarized.

ItItwas wasaabright brightmorning morningwith withaablue bluesky. sky.Rolf Rolfand andLucy Lucy[their [their fourteenfourteen-yearyear-old olddaughter] daughter]sat satoutside outsideand andhad hadaalong longtalk talkin in the the sun. sun. Rolf Rolf came came in in and and said said he he was was ready. ready. He He took took itit atat three three p.m. p.m. He He wandered wandered around around the the kitchen. kitchen. Checked Checked the the fridge. fridge.Rambled.

Rambled.IItold toldhim himititwas wastime timeto tolie liedown. down.. .. .. .So So we we lay lay down down in in his his bed. bed. After After aa while while he he fell fell asleep. asleep. He’s He’s snoring. snoring.Here, Here,listen listen. .. .. .

Kim Kimput putthe thephone phoneup upto toRolf’s Rolf’smouth. mouth.IIheard heardthe thedeep, deep,rhythrhythmic micvibration vibrationof ofhis hisvocal vocalcords— cords—his hisdeath deathrattle. rattle.

My My parents parents are are here. here. Your Your dad dad and and Nancy Nancy are are on on their their way. way.

Can Canyou youbring bringyour yourmom? mom?

We’ll We’llget getthere thereas assoon soonas aswe wecan, can,IIreplied. replied.Thank Thankyou, you,Kim. Kim. II picked picked up up my my wife, wife, Mollie, Mollie, and and our our daughters, daughters, Natalie Natalie and and Serafina, Serafina,in inBerkeley, Berkeley,then thenmy mymom momin inSacramento.

Sacramento.We Wearrived arrivedatat Rolf Rolfand andKim’s Kim’shome homein inthe thefoothills foothillsof ofthe theSierras Sierrasatatten tenp.m. p.m.

Rolf Rolfwas waslying lyingin inaabed beddownstairs, downstairs,which whichhe hehad hadretreated retreatedto to in inhis hislast lastweeks. weeks.He Helay layon onhis hisstomach stomachand andright rightcheek, cheek,his hishead head tilted tilted slightly slightly upward. upward. My My dad dad held held his his foot. foot. II leaned leaned in in near near his his midsection. midsection. My My mom mom was was atat the the head head of of the the bed, bed, stroking stroking his his thin thinhair. hair. xxxxi i

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Rolf’s Rolf’s face face was was full full and and flushed. flushed. The The sunken sunken eyes eyes and and gaunt gaunt cheeks cheekscaused causedby bycolon coloncancer cancerwere weregone; gone;the thetightened, tightened,sagging sagging skin skin around around his his mouth mouth smoothed. smoothed. His His lips lips curled curled upward upward atat the the corners. corners.

IIrested restedmy myright righthand handon onhis hisleft leftshoulder, shoulder,aarounded roundedprotruprotrusion sionof ofbone. bone.IIheld heldititthe theway wayIIwould wouldthe thesmooth smoothgranite granitestones stones we weused usedto tofind findnear nearthe therivers riverswe weswam swamin inas asyoung youngbrothers. brothers.

Rolf Rolf. .. .. .This ThisisisDach Dach. .. .. .

You Youare arethe thebest bestbrother brotherin inthe theworld. world.

My My daughter daughter Natalie Natalie laid laid her her hand hand lightly lightly on on his his shoulder shoulder blades: blades: We Welove loveyou, you,Rolf.

Rolf.

The Thecycle cycleof ofhis hisbreathing breathingslowed. slowed.He Hewas waslistening. listening.Aware.

Aware.

Listening Listeningto toRolf’s Rolf’sbreath, breath,IIsensed sensedthe thevast vastexpanse expanseof offiftyfiftyfive fiveyears yearsof ofour ourbrotherhood. brotherhood.Roaming RoamingLaurel LaurelCanyon Canyonin inthe thelate late ’60s, ’60s,spying spyingon onrockrock-andand-roll rollneighbors neighborsand andskateboarding skateboardingthrough through VolkswagenVolkswagen-lined lined streets. streets. In In our our adolescence, adolescence, walking walking the the wild wild foothills foothills of of the the Sierras, Sierras, and and playing playing Little Little League League on on the the Penryn Penryn A’s, A’s, me me pitching, pitching, Rolf, Rolf, aa longlong-haired haired lefty, lefty, on on first, first, aa mischievous mischievous light light in in his his eyes eyes saying saying Man, Man, this this isis fun! fun! As As young young adults, adults, on on wild wild trips trips to to Mexico, Mexico, dancing dancing in in clubs, clubs, wandering wandering in in the the high high Sierras.

Sierras.

And Andthen thenin ingraduate graduateschool, school,buying buyingwedding weddingsuits suitsand andbeing beingeach each other’s other’sbest bestman, man,becoming becomingteachers teachersand andfathers fathersto todaughters. daughters.

II sensed sensed aa light light radiating radiating from from Rolf’s Rolf’s face. face. ItIt pulsated pulsated in in conconcentric centriccircles, circles,spreading spreadingoutward, outward,touching touchingus usas aswe weleaned leanedin inwith with slightly slightly bowed bowed heads. heads. The The chatter chatter in in my my mind, mind, clasping clasping words words xxxxi i i

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about about the the stages stages of of colon colon cancer, cancer, new new treatments, treatments, lymph lymph nodes, nodes, and and survival survival rates, rates, faded. faded. II could could sense sense aa force force around around his his body body pulling pullinghim himaway. away.And Andquestions questionsin inmy mymind. mind.

What WhatisisRolf Rolfthinking? thinking?

What Whatisishe hefeeling? feeling?

What Whatdoes doesititmean meanfor forhim himto todie? die?

AAvoice voicein inmy mymind mindsaid: said: IIfeel feelawe. awe.

My Myfeeling feelingin inthat thatoverwhelming overwhelmingmoment momentshared sharedsome someessence essence with withexperiences experiencesof ofawe awefrom frommy mypast, past,both bothbig big(for (forexample, example,seeseeing ingNelson NelsonMandela Mandelaspeak speakafter afterhis histwentytwenty-seven sevenyears yearsof ofcaptivity captivity with withfifty fiftythousand thousandother otherpeople) people)and andsmall small(seeing (seeingthe thedusk dusklight light on onan anoak oaktree, tree,listening listeningto tomy myyoung youngdaughters’ daughters’duets duetsof oflaughter). laughter).

Watching WatchingRolf Rolfpass, pass,IIfelt feltsmall. small.Quiet.

Quiet.Humble.

Humble.Pure.

Pure.The Theboundboundaries aries that that separated separated me me from from the the outside outside world world faded. faded. II felt felt sursurrounded roundedby bysomething somethingvast vastand andwarm. warm.My Mymind mindwas wasopen, open,curious, curious, aware, aware,wondering. wondering.

AA couple couple ofof weeks weeks after after Rolf’s Rolf’s passing, passing, Kim Kim brought brought together together friends friends and and family family to to tell tell our our stories stories ofof Rolf.

Rolf. We We talked talked about about his his fascination fascinationwith withclowns clownsand andmagic magictricks, tricks,and andhow howhe heloved lovedto tocook cook for forcrowds crowdsofoffriends friendsand andenthrall enthrallneighborhood neighborhoodkids kidswith withhis hisoveroverthethe-top top Halloween Halloween costumes. costumes. From From his his coworkers coworkers came came stories stories ofof how howhe hecalmed calmedthe themost mostdifficult difficultboys boysatataalittle littlemountain mountainschool school where wherethey theytaught. taught.And Andthen thenthe thestories storiestapered taperedoff offand andwe wefell fellinto into aa silence. silence. AA church church bell bell rang, rang, stirring stirring aa spiral spiral ofof blackbirds blackbirds out out ofof the thetrees, trees,rising risinginto intoaasky skyheavy heavywith withdark darkgray grayclouds. clouds.We Weshook shook xxxxi i i i

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hands handsand andhugged huggedand andthen thenwalked walkedquietly quietlyout outofofRolf Rolfand andKim’s Kim’s home hometo toreturn returnto toour ourlives, lives,mine minewith withaaRolfRolf-sized sizedhole holein init. it.

In Inthe thegrief griefthat thatfollowed, followed,IIwould wouldregularly regularlyjolt joltawake awakebefore before dawn, dawn, gasping. gasping. My My body body ran ran hot. hot. II ached ached physically. physically. II dreamed dreamed dreams dreamsunlike unlikeanything anythingI’d I’dexperienced experiencedbefore. before.In Inone, one,IIwas waswalkwalking ing up up aa dark, dark, winding winding dirt dirt road road to to an an illuminated illuminated Victorian Victorian that that resembled resembledour ourchildhood childhoodhome homein inPenryn.

Penryn.Rolf Rolfburst burstaround aroundaacorcorner ner in in yellow yellow shorts, shorts, running running in in his his high high school school miler miler strides. strides. He He stopped, stopped, smiled, smiled, waved, waved, and and moved moved his his lips, lips, uttering uttering words words he he knew knewIIcould couldno nolonger longerhear. hear.IIexperienced experiencedthe thehallucinations hallucinationsthat that Joan Joan Didion Didion describes describes in in The The Year Year ofof Magical Magical Thinking.

Thinking. II saw saw the the outline outline of of Rolf’s Rolf’s face face in in the the shifting shifting boundaries boundaries of of neighboring neighboring clouds. clouds. On On one one walk walk on on the the Berkeley Berkeley campus, campus, II saw saw his his chemochemoexhausted exhaustedeyes eyesin inthe thespiraling spiralingbark barkof ofaaredwood redwoodtree. tree.IIheard heardhis his voice voicein inthe therustling rustlingof ofleaves, leaves,his hissigh sighin inthe thewind. wind.On Ontwo twooccaoccasions sionsIIwas wasso soconvinced convincedIIhad hadseen seenhim himthat thatIIfollowed followedstrangers strangers whose whoseshoulders, shoulders,foreheads, foreheads,freckles, freckles,and andjawlines jawlineslooked lookedlike likehis. his.

Our Ourminds mindsare arerelational: relational:we wesee seelife lifepatterns patternsthrough throughour ourshared shared experiences experienceswith withothers, others,sense senselife’s life’ssignificant significantthemes themesin inthe thesounds sounds ofof others’ others’ voices, voices, and and feel feel embraced embraced in in things things larger larger than than the the self self through throughothers’ others’touch. touch.IIsaw sawthe thewonders wondersofofthe theworld worldthrough throughRolf’s Rolf’s eyes. eyes.With Withhis hispassing, passing,IIfelt feltaweless. aweless.And Andmy mycompanion companionin inawe awewas was no no longer longer around around to to help help me me make make sense sense ofof the the vastest vastest mystery mystery II had hadencountered encounteredin inmy myfiftyfifty-seven sevenyears yearsofofliving. living.

AAloud loudvoice voicecalled calledout: out: FIND FINDAWE. AWE.

Knowing Knowing of of awe’s awe’s many many benefits, benefits, and and that that we we can can find find itit all all around aroundus, us,IIwent wentin insearch searchof ofawe. awe.IItook tookaamoment momenteach eachday dayto to xxxxi ivv

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be be open open to to the the aweawe-inspiring inspiring around around me. me. II sought sought out out places places of of importance importance in in the the history history of of awe. awe. II engaged engaged in in openopen-ended ended conconversations versationswith withpeople peopleIIconsider considerawe awepioneers. pioneers.IIimmersed immersedmyself myself as as aa newcomer newcomer in in various various wonders wonders of of life. life. These These explorations explorations led led to to personal personal experiences, experiences, memories, memories, dreams, dreams, and and insights insights that that helped helpedme memake makesense senseof oflosing losingmy mybrother. brother.They Theybrought broughtme meto to the theconviction convictionthat thatawe aweisisalmost almostalways alwaysnearby, nearby,and andisisaapathway pathway to tohealing healingand andgrowing growingin inthe theface faceof ofthe thelosses lossesand andtraumas traumasthat that are arepart partof oflife. life.

There Thereare arefour fourstories storiesof ofawe, awe,then, then,for forus usto toconsider considertogether— together— the thescientific, scientific,the thepersonal, personal,the thecultural, cultural,and andone oneabout aboutthe thegrowth growth that that awe awe can can bring bring us us when when we we face face hardship, hardship, uncertainty, uncertainty, loss, loss, and and the the unknown. unknown. II have have organized organized this this book book accordingly. accordingly. The The first firstthree threechapters chapterstraverse traversethe thescientific scientificstory storyof ofawe. awe.We Weconsider consider what whatawe aweis, is,the thecontexts contextsin inwhich whichititarises, arises,how howititdiffers differsfrom fromfear fear and andbeauty, beauty,and andhow howititfeels feelsin inour oureveryday everydaylives lives(chapter (chapter1).

1).We We follow followhow howawe awetransforms transformsour oursense senseof ofself, self,our ourthought, thought,and andour our relation relationto tothe theworld world(chapter (chapter2).

2).And Andwe wetake takean anevolutionary evolutionaryjourjourney neyback backin intime timeto toask: ask:Why Whyawe? awe?Jane JaneGoodall, Goodall,aahero heroof ofmine, mine, believed believedthat thatchimpanzees chimpanzeesfeel feelawe aweand andhave haveaasense senseof ofspirituality spirituality grounded groundedin inaacapacity capacityGoodall Goodalldescribes describesas asbeing beingamazed amazedatatthings things outside outside yourself. yourself. Animated Animated by by this this mystery, mystery, we we will will investigate investigate where whereour ourchills, chills,tears, tears,widewide-open openeyes eyesand andmouths, mouths,and andwows wowsand and whoas whoascome comefrom fromin inour ourmammalian mammalianevolution, evolution,and andwhat whatthis thistells tells us usabout aboutthe theprimordial primordialmeaning meaningof ofawe awe(chapter (chapter3).

3).

In Inthe thesecond secondsection sectionofofthe thebook, book,we weturn turnto topersonal personalstories stories ofofawe. awe.We Wewill willhear hearstories storiesabout aboutthe thetranscendent transcendentpower powerofofothers’ others’ moral moralbeauty beautyand andits itsplace placein inprisons prisonsand andmore morelifelife-enhancing enhancingininstitutions stitutionslike likelibraries librariesand andhospitals hospitals(chapter (chapter4).

4).About Aboutfinding findingcolcollective lectiveeffervescence effervescencein inecstatic ecstaticdance danceand andprofessional professionalbasketball basketball xxxxvv

INTRODUCTION

and in the collective movements of our daily lives (chapter 5). About nature and how it can help heal the traumas of combat, loneliness, and poverty (chapter 6).

The third section shifts to a treatment of how culture archives awe in different forms. We will consider the place of awe in music (chapter 7), visual art (chapter 8), and religion and spirituality (chapter 9). These are large tasks indeed but illuminating once we narrow in on the place of awe in these creative forms of culture.

The last section of the book returns to how awe helps us grow when we face loss and trauma, and more generally when we face the unknowns and uncertainties of life. It was striking for me to learn how central awe is in how we grapple with life and death and their ever-repeating, species-shaping cycle (chapter 10). And how across the eight wonders of life, awe reveals big insights to us about the point of our lives in our continual search for meaning (chapter 11).

In teaching happiness for more than twenty years, I have seen how much health and well-being we gain by being amazed at things outside ourselves. By finding awe. From our first breath to our last, awe moves us to deepen our relations with the wonders of life and to marvel at the vast mysteries that are part of our fleeting time here, guided by this most human of emotions.

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SECTION I • • •

A Science of Awe

ONE ONE

EIGHT EIGHT WONDERS WONDERS OF OF LIFE LIFE An An Awe Awe Movement Movement Begins Begins The Thestrange strangething thingabout aboutlife lifeisisthat thatthough thoughthe the nature natureofofititmust musthave havebeen beenapparent apparenttoto every everyone onefor forhundreds hundredsofofyears, years,no noone onehas hasleft left any anyadequate adequateaccount accountofofit.it.The Thestreets streetsofof London Londonhave havetheir theirmap; map;but butour ourpassions passionsare are uncharted. uncharted.

• • VIRGINIA VIRGINIAWOOLF WOOLF

T

he he last last time time the the word word “awe” “awe” hit hit me me with with the the force force of of personal personalepiphany, epiphany,IIwas wastwentytwenty-seven sevenyears yearsold. old.IIwas wasin in Paul Paul Ekman’s Ekman’s living living room, room, having having just just interviewed interviewed for for aa

fellowship fellowship in in his his lab lab to to study study emotion. emotion. Ekman Ekman isis well-known well-known for for his his study study of of facial facial expression, expression, and and aa founding founding figure figure in in the the new new science scienceof ofemotion. emotion.At Atthe theconclusion conclusionof ofhis hisquerying, querying,we wemoved moved to to the the deck deck off off his his home home in in the the San San Francisco Francisco hills. hills. We We were were embraced embraced by by aa view view of of the the city. city. Thick Thick fog fog moved moved through through the the streets streets toward toward the the Bay Bay Bridge Bridge and and eventually eventually across across the the bay bay to to Berkeley.

Berkeley.

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Stretching Stretchingfor forconversation, conversation,IIasked askedPaul Paulwhat whataayoung youngscholar scholar might mightstudy. study.His Hisanswer answerwas wasone oneword: word: Awe. Awe.

At At that that time— time—1988— 1988—we we knew knew very very little little scientifically scientifically about about emotions: emotions:what whatthey theyare, are,how howthey theyinfluence influenceour ourminds mindsand andbodies, bodies, and andwhy whywe weexperience experiencethem themin inthe thefirst firstplace. place.

Psychological Psychological science science was was firmly firmly entrenched entrenched in in aa “cognitive “cognitive revolution.” revolution.”Within Withinthis thisframework, framework,every everyhuman humanexperience, experience,from from moral moralcondemnation condemnationto toprejudice prejudiceagainst againstpeople peopleof ofcolor, color,originates originates in inhow howour ourminds, minds,like likecomputer computerprograms, programs,process processunits unitsof ofinforinformation mation in in passionless passionless ways. ways. What What was was missing missing from from this this underunderstanding standingof ofhuman humannature naturewas wasemotion. emotion.Passion.

Passion.Gut Gutfeeling. feeling.What What Scottish Scottishphilosopher philosopherDavid DavidHume Humefamously famouslycalled calledthe the“master “masterof of reason,” reason,” and and Nobel Nobel Prize Prize winner winner Daniel Daniel Kahneman, Kahneman, in in Thinking, Thinking, Fast Fastand andSlow, Slow,termed termed“System “System1” 1”thinking. thinking.

Emotions Emotions have have long long been been viewed viewed as as “lower” “lower” and and animalistic, animalistic, disruptive disruptive of of lofty lofty reason, reason, which which isis often often considered considered humanity’s humanity’s highest highestachievement. achievement.Emotions, Emotions,so sofleeting fleetingand andsubjective, subjective,others others observed, observed, cannot cannot be be measured measured in in the the lab. lab. Our Our passions passions were were still still very very much much uncharted uncharted some some seventy seventy years years after after Virginia Virginia Woolf’s Woolf’s musing. musing.

Ekman, Ekman, though, though, would would soon soon publish publish aa paper— paper—now now the the most most widely widelycited citedin inthe thefield— field—that thatwould wouldpush pushthe thescientific scientificpendulum pendulum firmly firmly toward toward emotion. emotion. In In this this essay, essay, aa field field guide guide really, really, he he dedetailed tailed the the what what of of emotions: emotions: They They are are brief brief feeling feeling states states accomaccompanied paniedby bydistinct distinctthoughts, thoughts,expressions, expressions,and andphysiology. physiology.Emoti Emotions ons are arefleeting, fleeting,shortershorter-lived livedthan thanmoods, moods,like likefeeling feelingblue, blue,and andemoemo-

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tional tional disorders, disorders, such such as as depression. depression. He He outlined outlined how how emotions emotions work: work: they they shift shift our our thought thought and and action action to to enable enable us us to to adapt adapt to to our our present present circumstances. circumstances. To To approach approach the the why why of of emotions, emotions, Ekman Ekman took took aa cue cue from from Charles Charles Darwin: Darwin: Emotions Emotions enable enable us us to to accomplish accomplish“fundamental “fundamentallife lifetasks,” tasks,”such suchas asfleeing fleeingperil, peril,avoiding avoiding toxins, toxins, and and finding finding nutritious nutritious food. food. Emotions Emotions are are central central to to our our individual individualsurvival survivaland andour ourevolution evolutionas asaaspecies. species.

AAyoung youngscience sciencehad hadaafield fieldguide, guide,and andscholars scholarspromptly promptlywent went exploring. exploring. First, First, scientists scientists mapped mapped anger, anger, disgust, disgust, fear, fear, sadness, sadness, surprise, surprise, and and joy, joy, the the emotions emotions whose whose facial facial expressions expressions Ekman Ekman had had documented documented in in the the hills hills of of New New Guinea Guinea in in the the early early 1960s.

1960s.

Next Next to to appear appear in in the the lab lab were were the the selfself-conscious conscious emotions— emotions— embarrassment, embarrassment,shame, shame,and andguilt. guilt.Studies Studiescharted chartedhow howthese thesestates states arise arisewhen whenwe wemake makesocial socialmistakes, mistakes,and andhow howblushes, blushes,head headbows, bows, awkward awkward appeasing appeasing smiles, smiles, and and apologies apologies restore restore our our standing standing in in the theeyes eyesof ofothers. others.Sensing Sensingthat thatthere thereisismore moreto tothe themind, mind,brain, brain, and andbody bodythan thannegative negativeemotions, emotions,and andmore moreto tothe thedelights delightsof oflife life than than “joy,” “joy,” young young scientists scientists then then turned turned to to studies studies of of states states like like amusement, amusement,gratitude, gratitude,love, love,and andpride. pride.My Myown ownlab labgot gotinto intothe theact act with withstudies studiesof oflaughter, laughter,gratitude, gratitude,love, love,desire, desire,and andsympathy. sympathy.

An An emotion emotion revolution revolution in in reaction reaction to to the the cognitive cognitive revolution revolution was was underway, underway, moving moving psychological psychological science science beyond beyond its its dry dry and and cool cool cognitivist cognitivist account account of of the the mind mind and and inattention inattention to to the the body. body.

Neuroscientists Neuroscientists were were mapping mapping “the “the emotional emotional brain.” brain.” Studies Studies alerted alerted those those interested interested in in the the secrets secrets of of love love to to the the finding finding that that marriages marriagesdissolve dissolvewhen whenpartners partnersexpress expresscontempt contemptto toone oneanother. another.

Our Ourculture culturewars warsover overabortion, abortion,race, race,class, class,and andclimate climatecrises crisescould could be betraced tracedback backto togut gutfeelings feelingsabout aboutthe themoral moralissues issuesof ofour ourtimes. times.

For For faring faring well well in in life, life, emotion emotion scientists scientists determined determined that that we we are are

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better better served served by by cultivating cultivating our our “emotional “emotional intelligence,” intelligence,” or or EQ, EQ, than thanour ourIQ. IQ.Today Todaywe weare arestill stillin inthe themidst midstof of“an “anage ageof ofemotion” emotion” in inscience, science,one onethat thatshapes shapesevery everycorner cornerof ofour ourlives. lives.

O

ne neemotion, emotion,though, though,would wouldnot notget getthe thecall callfor forthis thisrevolution, revolution, an anemotion emotionthat thatisisthe theprovenance provenanceof ofso somuch muchthat thatisishuman— human—

music, music, art, art, religion, religion, science, science, politics, politics, and and transformative transformative insights insights about about life. life. That That would would be be awe. awe. The The reasons reasons are are in in part part methodmethodological. ological.Awe Aweseems seemsto toresist resistprecise precisedefinition definitionand andmeasurement, measurement, the thebedrock bedrockof ofscience. science.In Infact, fact,how howwould wouldaascientist scientiststudy studyawe awein in aalab? lab?How Howcould couldscientists scientistslead leadpeople peopleto tofeel feelititon oncue cueand andmeameasure sureits itsnearnear-ineffable ineffablequalities, qualities,or ordocument documenthow howawe awetransforms transforms our ourlives, lives,if, if,indeed, indeed,ititdoes? does?

There Therewere weretheoretical theoreticalbarriers barriersas aswell. well.As Asthe thescience scienceof ofemoemotion tiongot gotoff offthe theground, ground,ititdid didso soin inaatheoretical theoreticalzeitgeist zeitgeistthat thatheld held that thatemotions emotionsare areabout aboutselfself-preservation, preservation,oriented orientedtoward towardminimizminimizing ingperil periland andadvancing advancingcompetitive competitivegains gainsfor forthe theindividual. individual.Awe, Awe, by bycontrast, contrast,seems seemsto toorient orientus usto todevote devoteourselves ourselvesto tothings thingsoutside outside of ofour ourindividual individualselves. selves.To Tosacrifice sacrificeand andserve. serve.To Tosense sensethat thatthe the boundaries boundaries between between our our individual individual selves selves and and others others readily readily disdissolve, solve,that thatour ourtrue truenature natureisiscollective. collective.These Thesequalities qualitiesdid didnot notfit fit neatly neatly within within the the hyperindividualistic, hyperindividualistic, materialistic, materialistic, survivalsurvival-ofofthethe-selfishselfish-genes genesview viewof ofhuman humannature natureso soprominent prominentatatthe thetime. time.

One Onecannot cannothelp helpbut butsuspect suspectthat thatpersonal personalhesitations hesitationswere wereatat play play as as well. well. When When people people talk talk about about experiences experiences of of awe, awe, they they often oftenmention mentionthings thingslike likefinding findingtheir theirsoul, soul,or ordiscovering discoveringwhat whatisis sacred, sacred, or or being being moved moved by by spirit— spirit—phenomena phenomena that that many many believe believe to to be be beyond beyond measurement measurement and and the the scientific scientific view view of of human human nature. nature.

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Emotion Emotion science science had had aa field field guide, guide, though, though, aa road road map map for for charting charting the the what, what, how, how, and and why why of of awe. awe. What What awe awe needed needed first first was wasaadefinition, definition,the theplace placewhere whereall allgood goodscientific scientificstories storiesbegin. begin.

What Whatisisawe? awe?

Defining Defining Awe Awe With With emotion emotion science science turning turning its its attention attention to to the the varieties varieties of of positive positive emotion, emotion, in in 2003 2003 my my longtime longtime collaborator collaborator atat New New York York University UniversityJonathan JonathanHaidt Haidtand andIIworked workedto toarticulate articulateaadefinition definition of of awe. awe. At At the the time, time, there there were were only only aa few few scientific scientific articles articles on on awe awe(but (butthousands thousandson onfear). fear).There Therewere wereno nodefinitions definitionsof ofawe aweto to speak speakof. of.

So Sowe weimmersed immersedourselves ourselvesin inthe thewritings writingsof ofmystics mysticsabout abouttheir their encounters encounters with with the the Divine.

Divine. We We read read treatments treatments of of the the holy, holy, the the sublime, sublime,the thesupernatural, supernatural,the thesacred, sacred,and and“peak “peakexperiences” experiences”that that people people might might describe describe with with words words like like “flow,” “flow,” “joy,” “joy,” “bliss,” “bliss,” or or even even“enlightenment.” “enlightenment.”We Weconsidered consideredpolitical politicaltheorists theoristslike likeMax Max Weber Weberand andtheir theirspeculations speculationsabout aboutthe thepassions passionsof ofmobs mobswhipped whipped up up by by demagogues. demagogues. We We read read anthropologists’ anthropologists’ accounts accounts of of awe awe in in dance, dance,music, music,art, art,and andreligion religionin infaraway, faraway,remote remotecultures. cultures.DrawDrawing ingupon uponthese theseveins veinsof ofscholarship, scholarship,we wedefined definedawe aweas asfollows: follows: Awe Aweisisthe thefeeling feelingofofbeing beingin inthe thepresence presenceofofsomething somethingvast vast that thattranscends transcendsyour yourcurrent currentunderstanding understandingofofthe theworld. world.

Vastness Vastness can can be be physical— physical—for for example, example, when when you you stand stand next next to toaa350350-footfoot-tall talltree treeor orhear hearaasinger’s singer’svoice voiceor orelectric electricguitar guitarfill fill the thespace spaceof ofan anarena. arena.Vastness Vastnesscan canbe betemporal, temporal,as aswhen whenaalaugh laugh 77

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or or scent scent transports transports you you back back in in time time to to the the sounds sounds or or aromas aromas of of your your childhood. childhood. Vastness Vastness can can be be semantic, semantic, or or about about ideas, ideas, most most notably notably when when an an epiphany epiphany integrates integrates scattered scattered beliefs beliefs and and ununknowns knownsinto intoaacoherent coherentthesis thesisabout aboutthe theworld. world.

Vastness Vastness can can be be challenging, challenging, unsettling, unsettling, and and destabilizing. destabilizing. In In evoking evokingawe, awe,ititreveals revealsthat thatour ourcurrent currentknowledge knowledgeisisnot notup upto tothe the task taskof ofmaking makingsense senseof ofwhat whatwe wehave haveencountered. encountered.And Andso, so,in inawe, awe, we wego goin insearch searchof ofnew newforms formsof ofunderstanding. understanding.

Awe Aweisisabout aboutour ourrelation relationto tothe thevast vastmysteries mysteriesof oflife. life.

What What about about the the innumerable innumerable variations variations in in awe? awe? How How awe awe changes changesfrom fromone oneculture cultureto toanother, another,or orfrom fromone oneperiod periodin inhistory history to toanother? another?Or Orfrom fromone oneperson personto toanother? another?Or Oreven evenone onemoment moment in inyour yourlife lifeto toanother? another?

The Thecontent contentof ofwhat whatisisvast vastvaries variesdramatically dramaticallyacross acrosscultures cultures and and the the contexts contexts of of our our lives. lives. In In some some places places itit isis highhigh-altitude altitude mountains, mountains,and andin inothers othersflat flatnevernever-ending endingplains plainswith withstorms stormsapapproaching. proaching.For Forinfants infantsititisisthe theimmense immensewarmth warmthprovided providedby byparparents, ents,and andwhen whenwe wedie, die,the theenormous enormousexpanse expanseof ofour ourlives. lives.During During some some historical historical periods periods itit isis the the violence violence humans humans are are capable capable of, of, and andduring duringother othertimes timesprotests protestsin inthe thestreets streetsagainst againstthe themachines machines and andinstitutions institutionsthat thatperpetrate perpetrateviolence. violence.The Thevarieties varietiesof ofvastness vastness are aremyriad, myriad,giving givingrise riseto toshifts shiftsin inthe themeaning meaningof ofawe. awe.

“Flavoring “Flavoring themes,” themes,” Jon Jon and and II reasoned, reasoned, also also account account for for variations variationsin inawe. awe.By Byflavoring flavoringthemes, themes,we wemeant meantcontextcontext-specific specific ways waysin inwhich whichwe weascribe ascribemeaning meaningto tovast vastmysteries. mysteries.For Forexample, example, you youshall shalllearn learnthat thatextraordinary extraordinaryvirtue virtueand andability abilitycan canlead leadus usto to feel feel awe. awe. Conceptions Conceptions of of virtue virtue and and ability ability vary vary dramatically dramatically acaccording cording to to context: context: whether, whether, for for example, example, we we find find ourselves ourselves in in combat combator oratataameditation meditationretreat, retreat,whether whetherwe weare arepart partof ofaahiphip-hop hop

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performance performanceor oraachess chessclub, club,whether whetherwe welive livein inaaregion regionof ofreligious religious dogma dogmaor orone onegoverned governedby bythe therules rulesof ofWall WallStreet.

Street.How Howwe weconconceptualize ceptualizevirtue virtueand andability abilitywithin withinour ourlocal localculture culturegives givesrise riseto to variations variationsin inawe. awe.

Another Anotherflavoring flavoringtheme themethat thatshapes shapesthe theexperience experienceof ofawe aweisis supernatural supernatural belief belief systems— systems—beliefs, beliefs, for for example, example, about about ghosts, ghosts, spirits, spirits, extraordinary extraordinary experiences, experiences, gods, gods, the the Divine, Divine, heaven, heaven, and and hell. hell.These Thesebeliefs beliefsimbue imbueexperiences experiencesof ofawe awewith withculturally culturallyspespecific cificmeanings. meanings.For Forexample, example,for formany manypeople peopleacross acrosshistory, history,expeexperiences riences of of awe awe in in encounters encounters with with mountains, mountains, storms, storms, winds, winds, the the sun, sun,and andthe themoon moonhave havebeen beenflavored flavoredwith withlocal localstories storiesand andbeliefs beliefs about aboutthe theDivine.

Divine.For Forothers, others,those thosesame samemountains, mountains,storms, storms,winds, winds, the the sun, sun, and and the the moon moon stir stir aa different different kind kind of of awe, awe, one one more more grounded groundedin inaasense senseof ofwhat whatisissacred sacredabout aboutnature naturebut butlacking lackingthe the sense senseof ofthe theDivine.

Divine.

Perhaps Perhapsmost mostpervasively, pervasively,perceived perceivedthreat threatalso alsoflavors flavorsexperiexperiences encesof ofawe, awe,and andcan canlayer layerfear, fear,uncertainty, uncertainty,alienation, alienation,and andterror terror into intoour ourexperience experienceof ofthe theemotion. emotion.Perceptions Perceptionsof ofthreat threatexplain explain why whypeople peoplein incertain certaincultures— cultures—such suchas asthe theJapanese Japaneseor orChinese— Chinese— feel feel more more fear fear blended blended with with awe awe when when around around inspiring inspiring people people than than people people from from less less hierarchical hierarchical cultures cultures do. do. Why Why psychedelic psychedelic experiences experienceswith withLSD, LSD,MDMA, MDMA,or orayahuasca ayahuascainspire inspirepure pureawe awefor for some someand andare areflooded floodedwith withterror terrorfor forothers. others.Why Whyencounters encounterswith with the theDivine Divineare arefilled filledwith withfear fearin insome somecultures, cultures,whereas whereasin inother other cultures culturesthat thatlack lackideas ideasabout aboutaajudgmental judgmentalGod Godthey theyare aredefined defined by by bliss bliss and and love. love. Why Why dying dying isis oceanic oceanic and and aweawe-filled filled for for some some and andhorrifying horrifyingfor forothers. others.And Andwhy whycultural culturalsymbols symbolslike likethe theAmerAmerican icanflag flagcan canmove movesome someto totears tearsand andchills, chills,and andothers othersto toshudder shudder in inthe thesense senseof ofthreat threatand andalienation. alienation.

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In Inawe awewe weencounter encounterthe thevast vastmysteries mysteriesof oflife, life,with withflavoring flavoring themes themes like like conceptions conceptions of of virtue, virtue, supernatural supernatural beliefs, beliefs, and and perperceived ceivedthreat threatgiving givingrise riseto tonearnear-infinite infinitevariations. variations.

Eight Eight Wonders Wonders of of Life Life Emotions Emotionsare arelike likestories. stories.They Theyare aredramas dramasthat thatstructure structureour ourday, day, like likescenes scenesin inaanovel, novel,movie, movie,or orplay. play.Emotions Emotionsunfold unfoldin inactions actions between betweenpeople, people,enabling enablingus, us,for forexample, example,to tocomfort comfortsomeone someonein in need, need,show showdevotion devotionto toaaloved lovedone, one,redress redressinjustice, injustice,or orbelong belongto to aa community. community. Having Having defined defined awe, awe, our our answer answer to to the the question question “What “Whatisisawe?” awe?”needs needsnext nextto tomove moveto topeople’s people’sown ownstories storiesof ofthe the emotion. emotion.

When WhenWilliam WilliamJames, James,aafounding foundingfigure figurein inpsychology, psychology,went wentin in search searchof ofunderstanding understandingmystical mysticalawe aweatatthe theturn turnof ofthe thetwentieth twentieth century— century—an an exploration exploration we we will will consider consider later— later—he he did did not not have have people people rate rate their their feelings feelings with with numbers. numbers. He He did did not not do do experiexperiments. ments. He He did did not not measure measure physiological physiological reactions reactions or or sensations, sensations, which whichhad hadlong longfascinated fascinatedhim. him.Instead, Instead,he hegathered gatheredstories: stories:FirstFirstperson personnarratives, narratives,utterly utterlypersonal, personal,about aboutencounters encounterswith withthe theDiDivine. vine.Religious Religiousconversions. conversions.Spiritual Spiritualepiphanies. epiphanies.Visions Visionsof ofheaven heaven and andhell. hell.And Andin indiscerning discerningthe thepatterns patternsin inthese thesestories, stories,he heuncovuncovered eredthe theheart heartof ofreligion: religion:that thatititisisabout aboutmystical mysticalawe, awe,an anineffable ineffable emotional emotional experience experience of of being being in in relation relation to to what what we we consider consider divine. divine.

Guided Guided by by this this approach, approach, Professor Professor Yang Yang Bai, Bai, aa longtime longtime colcollaborator laborator of of mine, mine, and and II gathered gathered stories stories of of awe awe from from people people in in twentytwenty-six six countries. countries. We We cast cast our our net net broadly broadly because because of of the the scientific scientific concern concern about about “WEIRD” “WEIRD” samples: samples: those those composed composed 10 10