We’re thrilled to bring you another edition of the Flowly Book Review Series! This week, join our team member Christine as she explores Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dacher Keltner.
What’s it about?
Awe is a powerful and mysterious emotion. How can we describe the chills we feel when gazing at the Grand Canyon or the wonder of watching a child take their first steps? Until recently, there was no scientific study dedicated to awe, the sensation we experience when encountering vast, incomprehensible phenomena. Recent revolutionary research has revealed that awe is essential for human survival, enhancing our ability to cooperate, build communities, and create culture.
In Awe, Dacher Keltner offers an in-depth and personal investigation into this elusive emotion. Through new research and a thorough examination of awe across history, culture, and his own life, Keltner shows how cultivating awe can lead us to a deeper appreciation of what makes us human. Insightful and practical, Awe is a guide to understanding and harnessing this vital emotion in our everyday lives.
Why did you choose to read Awe?
My interest in the emotion of Awe began after reading an article that highlighted how consistently experiencing awe can enhance creativity and support mental longevity. Inspired by this, I've made it a habit to keep my computer wallpaper as an image of space or the universe.
When I came across Awe at my local bookshop, I knew I had to read it to delve deeper into this fascinating emotion. At Flowly, we’ve known that the emotion of awe is actually beneficial to both mental and physical health with studies supporting this.
What are the main takeaways?
- Understanding Awe: I initially thought awe was a rare and elusive emotion that couldn't be intentionally evoked. However, this book provides a structured way of understanding awe.
How does one define Awe? According to the book, “Awe is the emotion we experience when we encounter vast mysteries that we don’t understand” (page xvi) and it’s also “the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your current understanding of the world” (page 7). - Sources of Awe: There are eight areas where we can consistently find awe: moral beauty, collective effervescence, nature, music, visual design, spirituality, and religion, life and death, and epiphany.
- Health Benefits of Awe: Awe is not only beneficial for mental health but also has significant physical health benefits. It helps reduce chronic inflammation and is associated with a lower risk of depression, chronic anxiety, heart disease, autoimmune problems, and other ailments.
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How did Awe affect you?
I've always been an innately curious person, and recently, I've been making a conscious effort to indulge that curiosity and give myself permission to explore new ideas and interests deeply.
While I'm still trying to grasp what "everyday awe" truly feels like, I do believe that my life is now filled with more moments of awe and wonder. This has enriched my daily experiences and opened my mind to new possibilities.
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Who should read Awe?
I believe this book is essential reading for anyone feeling burnt-out or stuck in the monotony of daily life. In my opinion, awe is one of the hardest emotions to experience when you're overwhelmed with exhaustion.
One of the most valuable insights I gained from the book is that awe has tangible benefits for physical health. While Flowly's VR worlds are designed to inspire and evoke awe, it's fascinating to learn from the book how Awe can positively impact our well-being.
According to the book, "Everyday awe can be a pathway for avoiding chronic inflammation and the diseases of the twenty-first century that such inflammation is associated with, including depression, chronic anxiety, heart disease, autoimmune problems, and despair" (p. 118).
We incorporate many water-themed VR worlds, and the book highlights that "The sounds of water activate the vagus nerve. Certain scenes in nature calm our stress-related physiology. Many plants give off phytonides, chemical compounds that reduce blood pressure and boost immune function. Encounters with images of nature lead to the activation of dopamine networks in the brain, which animate exploration and wonder" (p. 127). This reinforces the idea that our immersive environments can significantly enhance well-being through the power of awe.
Have a book you would like to review and share with the Flowly community? Send us an email at contact@flowly.world.
The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the reviewer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or position of Flowly.