Awe: The Emotion That Expands Our World
“The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”
Have you ever stood beneath a sky filled with stars, watched the northern lights dance across the horizon, held a newborn baby, or listened to a powerful piece of music that left you speechless? If so, you've likely experienced awe—one of humanity's most profound and transformative emotions.
While happiness often makes us feel good, awe does something different. It changes how we see ourselves and our place in the world. It reminds us that life is bigger than our daily worries and invites us to become curious, humble, and connected.
What Is Awe?
Psychologists define awe as the emotional response we experience when encountering something so vast or extraordinary that it challenges our current understanding of the world. Researchers Dacher Keltner and Jonathan Haidt describe awe as having two key components:
Perceived vastness – experiencing something physically, intellectually, emotionally, or spiritually immense.
Need for accommodation – adjusting our mental framework to make sense of what we have encountered.
In other words, awe stretches our minds.
Unlike excitement or joy, awe often leaves us temporarily speechless. We may feel goosebumps, tears, chills, or simply pause in quiet appreciation.
What Does Science Tell Us About Awe?
Over the past two decades, researchers have discovered that awe is far more than a pleasant feeling.
Experiencing awe has been associated with:
Reduced stress and lower inflammation markers
Greater life satisfaction
Increased generosity and compassion
Enhanced creativity and curiosity
Improved emotional regulation
Greater feelings of connection with others
Increased humility
A stronger sense of meaning and purpose
Researchers have also found that awe can create what they call the "small self." Rather than making us feel insignificant in a negative way, awe helps us recognize that we are part of something much larger. This often reduces self-focused thinking and increases empathy.
Interestingly, studies suggest that even brief moments of awe—sometimes lasting only a minute or two—can positively influence mood and wellbeing.
Many Paths to Awe
Awe isn't limited to grand adventures. It can be found almost anywhere when we learn to notice it.
Nature
Nature remains one of the most reliable sources of awe.
Examples include:
Watching a sunrise
Standing beside a waterfall
Hiking in old-growth forests
Looking through a telescope
Listening to ocean waves
Watching migrating birds
Observing wildlife
Human Achievement
People often experience awe through remarkable accomplishments.
Examples:
Incredible architecture
Space exploration
Medical breakthroughs
Athletic excellence
Acts of extraordinary courage
Scientific discoveries
Art and Music
Creative expression can move us deeply.
Consider:
A moving symphony
A beautiful painting
Powerful photography
Dance performances
Theatre
Poetry
Relationships
Sometimes awe arrives quietly.
You may experience it while:
Holding a newborn child
Witnessing someone's resilience
Listening deeply to another person's story
Celebrating a milestone
Watching an elderly couple still deeply devoted to one another
Spiritual and Philosophical Experiences
Many people encounter awe through:
Meditation
Prayer
Sacred spaces
Acts of service
Contemplating the universe
Reflecting on life's mysteries
Everyday Awe Is Enough
Many people assume awe requires dramatic travel or once-in-a-lifetime experiences. In reality, everyday life offers countless opportunities.
Try noticing:
Morning dew sparkling on grass
The intricate pattern of a leaf
A rainbow after rain
Children laughing
The smell of fresh bread
Clouds changing shape
Fireflies or stars
Snowflakes falling silently
The more we intentionally notice these moments, the more frequently awe seems to appear.
Two Poems About Awe
Wonder (pause.)
The mountain does not hurry.
The river does not explain itself.
The stars shine whether we are watching or not.
Yet somehow, for one quiet moment, they remind us that we belong.
A Breath Bigger Than Me
There are moments when the world becomes larger without moving an inch.
A bird lifts from a branch.
Light slips through the trees.
Someone smiles with unexpected kindness.
And suddenly my worries are no longer the center of everything.
That is enough.
Contemplation Exercise: Discovering Awe in Your Own Life
Take 20–30 minutes to reflect on these questions.
Part 1: Looking Back
When have I felt completely amazed or speechless?
What places fill me with wonder?
Who inspires awe in me?
What books, music, films, or artwork have deeply moved me?
When have I felt part of something much larger than myself?
Part 2: Looking Around
Complete these sentences.
I experience awe when I...
Something I often overlook that could inspire awe is: ….
Part 3: Looking Ahead
This week I will intentionally seek awe by:
☐ Watching a sunrise or sunset
☐ Taking a slow walk in nature
☐ Looking at the night sky
☐ Visiting a museum or gallery
☐ Listening to inspiring music
☐ Reading poetry
☐ Having a meaningful conversation
☐ Learning something completely new
☐ Watching wildlife
☐ Practicing gratitude
Part 4: Reflection
After experiencing awe, ask yourself:
What surprised me?
What emotions did I notice?
Did my worries seem different afterward?
What did this experience teach me?
How can I invite more awe into my everyday life?
Or invite awe in by doing the challenge below:
A Seven-Day Awe Challenge
Day 1 – Watch the sunrise or sunset.
Day 2 – Spend 20 minutes in nature without your phone.
Day 3 – Listen to music that gives you goosebumps.
Day 4 – Learn about something astonishing in science or history.
Day 5 – Perform an unexpected act of kindness.
Day 6 – Look at the stars for at least ten minutes.
Day 7 – Write about one moment this week that filled you with wonder.
Final Thoughts
Awe reminds us that life is far richer than our schedules, worries, and to-do lists. It invites us to slow down, pay attention, and reconnect with the extraordinary hidden within the ordinary.
Perhaps awe is not something we must chase. Perhaps it is something we simply need to notice.
As naturalist John Muir wrote:
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
When we cultivate awe, we become more curious, compassionate, resilient, and deeply alive.
