Dedicate at least 10 minutes each day to seeking out experiences of awe across the “eight wonders of life” (moral beauty, nature, collective effervescence, music, visual design, spiritual/religious awe, life/death, epiphanies). This provides a practical roadmap for integrating awe into your daily routine.
Set your life’s priorities and defining purposes based on what genuinely provokes awe for you. Awe acts as a fast track to meaning, helping you understand what you truly care about and reducing stress by aligning your actions with your deeper purpose.
Engage in the exercise of recalling significant awe experiences from your past and contemplate what they taught you. This reflection can help surface your core identity and life’s purpose, revealing what truly matters to you.
Actively seek awe-inspiring experiences, particularly in nature and through moral beauty, to counteract self-focused tendencies, narcissism, and the negative effects of social comparison. Awe makes the self feel small, deactivating ego-related brain regions and fostering a broader perspective.
Reflect on individuals who exemplify moral beauty through their courage, kindness, or virtuosity, such as historical figures, community members, or personal mentors. Additionally, curate your media consumption to prioritize morally inspiring content over rage-inducing narratives.
Participate in group activities that foster a sense of “collective effervescence,” such as sporting events, yoga, dancing, or simply walking in public spaces. Remember to use both your heart and head to evaluate these experiences, ensuring they contribute to the greater good.
Regularly spend time in nature, whether it’s observing a sunset, walking among trees, or appreciating a mountain river. This practice calms your immune system, reduces cortisol and stress, and improves overall physical and mental robustness.
Make it a habit to listen to at least one song each day that brings you a sense of awe, evoking tears or goosebumps. This “IV drip” of music can connect you to your identity and provide continuous moments of wonder.
Pay close attention to and appreciate the intricate, vast, and interconnected patterns found in visual design, such as architecture, craft, or even the mechanics of complex machines. Awe arises when you notice how these elements coalesce into a unified, astonishing whole.
Be open to mystical awe experiences that connect you to fundamental truths or a sense of the divine, regardless of traditional religious affiliation. These can be found through meditation, yoga, nature, or other profound personal experiences.
When experiencing grief, intentionally reflect on the lost loved one by revisiting places you shared, listening to their favorite music, or recalling cherished memories. This process, though painful, can evoke awe by keeping their life present and fostering a sense of their enduring presence.
Cultivate epiphanies by contemplating the interconnectedness of all events through cause and effect, recognizing that every moment is a culmination of an “incalculable rolling gumbo of previous events.” This perspective can imbue even mundane life with a magical quality, fostering humility and empowerment.
Share stories of awe from your work or daily life with others. This practice can be incredibly impactful, evoking strong emotional responses and fostering connection for both the storyteller and the listener.