PDF Summary:Awe, by Dacher Keltner

Think about how often you feel awed by the world around you—whether that means being amazed by a sunset, astounded by an architectural wonder, or uplifted by seeing someone overcome a great challenge. In Awe, psychology professor Dacher Keltner explains that such feelings of wonder draw us out of ourselves and put us in touch with something greater. Keltner argues that finding and experiencing awe is the key to living better, happier lives.

In this guide, we’ll define what Keltner means by “awe,” examine how it works in the brain, and discuss the purpose it serves us as a species. We’ll then show how Keltner says you can nurture awe by participating in the arts, exploring nature, and seeking out spiritual experiences. We’ll also go into further detail about the psychological basis for the benefits of wonder and explore other authors’ suggestions about where and how to find awe in your life.

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Keltner points out that awe and wonder make us more curious and receptive to new experiences and ideas. People who have awe-inspiring experiences often report feeling more humble, collaborative, and willing to be kind. Keltner’s research also shows that after feeling awe, people are more likely to share resources, volunteer time, and show concern for others—through, for example, hosting social events, taking part in charity campaigns, and reaching out to others at worship services.

Creativity and Awe

Though Keltner describes awe as a “receptive” mental state, artists, musicians, and other creative people generate awe as part of the creative process—and there’s no need to feel excluded from this group. In The Creative Act, Rick Rubin suggests that everyone’s an artist, whether or not you create something tangible, because creativity is a way of being in the world and our lives are a constant act of self-expression. By adopting this artistic mindset, Rubin argues that you tap into an innate part of human consciousness that transcends your individual experience. In other words, just as Keltner states that awe connects you to the wider world, Rubin says that tapping your creativity accomplishes much the same thing.

Similar to how Keltner links awe and social activity, Rubin lists human connection as both a source of inspiration and one of the chief reasons why generating awe through art is worthwhile. Rubin explains that by engaging in creative acts, you not only express your individual self but also contribute to the collective human experience, fostering empathy, understanding, and innovation. Rubin’s definition of creativity includes any act of bringing something new into existence, such as the charitable and community-building projects that Keltner cites as a side-effect of awe. According to Rubin, every act of creation, no matter the context, helps us recognize that we’re part of something larger than ourselves.

Awe as a Unifier

Keltner says that a key aspect to gatherings, from large-scale events to walking with your friends to lunch, is that they involve synchronized motion. Research shows that coordinated motion leads to increased cooperation, empathy, and a sense of belonging. When linked to events that trigger awe, like running a marathon or dancing at a wedding, people’s mirroring of each other’s movements aligns their biological rhythms and plants the seeds of a sort of “collective consciousness.” Keltner argues that this synchronization formed part of humanity’s social evolution and continues to shape our social behavior, fulfilling our underlying need for connection and producing profound experiences of unity.

(Shortform note: The idea of synchronized motion affecting attitudes, emotions, and social bonding might be explained by the theory of embodied cognition, which proposes that your cognitive processes are deeply rooted in your body's interactions with its environment. Proponents of embodied cognition argue that your inner life isn’t just a property of the mind; it emerges from the continuous interactions between your brain, your body, and the world around you—including any group of people you’re a part of. In the group activities Keltner mentions, embodied cognition theory predicts that coordinating with the actions of people around you can directly influence your mental state and perceptions, opening doors for increased collaboration.)

Keltner suggests that collective awe is a fundamental aspect of our social nature, and not just a pleasant side effect of human gatherings. His studies show that people experiencing awe are more likely to see each other in terms of their shared qualities rather than what sets them apart. In these moments, be they weddings, graduations, sporting events, or political rallies, individuals feel a sense of unity and shared emotion with those around them. Keltner posits that understanding and cultivating these experiences of synchronized positive emotion can lead to greater well-being, stronger communities, and more frequent feelings of wonder in our lives.

(Shortform note: While collective awe can foster unity and prosocial behavior, it can also lead to undesirable outcomes such as groupthink or blind allegiance to institutions or organizations. In Wonderstruck, Helen De Cruz warns that the emotional power of awe can make people susceptible to manipulation by those who would exploit such feelings for personal or political gain. Additionally, Keltner himself admits that the socially uplifting effects of awe may be transient, with people returning to baseline levels of self-focus and individualism once the immediacy of the experience fades.)

Sources of Awe

If awe is so beneficial, how can we feel it during the daily humdrum of work and sleep? Keltner argues that it isn’t hard at all. Opportunities for awe are everywhere, and you don’t have to book a vacation to experience this most uplifting of emotions. Keltner points to many sources of awe around us—art and music, natural wonders, spirituality, and the wondrous things we see everyday people doing when we slow down enough to notice.

(Shortform note: In addition to the uplifting, transcendental benefits of awe, experiencing wonder on a regular basis may cultivate a more focused and rational outlook on the world. In The Daily Laws, Robert Greene explains that because of the modern world’s constant distractions, it’s easy to worry about things that don’t really matter. Greene says that if you reconnect with your childhood sense of wonder and reopen your eyes to the grand scale of life, you can focus on what’s most important to you and feel more motivated to achieve your life’s purpose. To do this, Greene recommends becoming an explorer by visiting important places from your childhood, traveling to natural areas without technology, and studying different cultures.)

Music and Art

Keltner argues that music has a unique ability to inspire awe, connect us to our emotions and cultural identities, and create a sense of unity among listeners. Music transcends cultural boundaries and speaks to the common themes of human life. Music, unlike spoken language, isn’t bound to literal meaning and can therefore represent emotions in unique ways. Keltner’s research shows that people can reliably identify the emotional content in music from different cultures. One hypothesis that explains this is that musicians express emotions by mimicking the natural vocalizations humans make when feeling emotion, such as the universal “wow” of awe mentioned before.

(Shortform note: A contemporary, well-studied example of music crossing cultural boundaries is the popularity of Korean pop music (K-Pop) outside the Korean-speaking world. Beyond Keltner’s observation that music doesn’t rely on lyrics to convey emotion, K-Pop fans also cite the genre’s high musical production values, the artistry in K-Pop groups’ music videos, and the intricate dance choreography incorporated into their performances. K-Pop performances also emphasize group dynamics and audience interaction over the talents of individual performers. In other words, for its fans, K-Pop evokes awe on several levels Keltner mentions—musically, visually, and communally.)

Visual arts arguably encompass a wider spectrum than music, including architecture, paintings, sculptures, and even the design of intricate machines. The skill, creativity, and complexity of their creation often leaves viewers in a state of wonder. More than that, art expresses feelings and ideas that might be hard to convey through other means. Keltner suggests that art reveals underlying patterns in nature and human experience that evoke a transcendent sense of connection to the world beyond our personal lives. Though art is embedded in culture, its visual elements reach across cultural boundaries, from modern architectural marvels to cave paintings dating back thousands of years, uniting us all in shared visual awe.

(Shortform note: The awe invoked by visual art and design may serve an even deeper purpose than Keltner hints at. In What Is Art For?, anthropologist Ellen Dissanayake argues that art serves an evolutionary purpose: It helps humans create meaning by transforming ordinary experiences into extraordinary ones. In the distant past, this was likely tied to our survival—art made the daily activities of life more meaningful and enjoyable, which helped preserve cultural knowledge. When early humans used art to make certain objects, events, or rituals "special," it helped their communities pass along information vital to future generations.)

The Natural World

In addition to man-made awe-inspiring sights and sounds, natural phenomena frequently elicit awe, from storms and earthquakes to landscapes and night skies. Keltner writes that when exposed to the power of nature, people often feel a sense of their own smallness. Nevertheless, Keltner emphasizes that reconnecting with nature and the awe it evokes can salve many modern ills, both physical and emotional. Studies show that our bodies and brains are wired to respond positively to nature. Similar research shows that even a brief exposure to the outdoors can increase altruism, improve reasoning skills, and nurture more inclusive views toward other people.

(Shortform note: Studies back up Keltner’s assertions about the curative powers of nature, but there may be other explanations beyond its ability to invoke awe. In The Nature Fix, Florence Williams argues that since humans evolved to live in the natural world, urban life comes at a biological cost, such as ever-present noises that keep our bodies on alert, an onslaught of media fighting for our attention, and a simple lack of sunlight causing widespread deficiencies of vitamin D. Not only do natural settings remove the constant stressors of city life, but spending time in the wild improves cognitive function simply by relaxing our overtaxed minds. With these benefits, the awe that nature inspires may just be a happy bonus.)

Keltner says that in addition to wonder, nature can evoke sudden insights or realizations that transform your way of thinking. Whether these insights are personal, spiritual, or scientific, Keltner suggests that the common thread among them is realizing that we’re all part of a larger, world-defining network, from the miniscule to the universal. Such “revelatory awe” lets us see the world in terms of relationships, patterns, and processes rather than as separate, static objects and people. When confronted by nature, scientists, philosophers, theologians, and everyday people can suddenly view themselves and everything around them as part of a unified, universal order.

(Shortform note: The “revelatory awe” Keltner speaks of isn’t just a motivator for the pursuit of knowledge but also a powerful teaching tool. In Cosmos, Carl Sagan frequently invokes the awe of natural discovery as a means to engage readers with the progress of science. According to Sagan, the study of astronomy in particular shows how vast the universe actually is and how small our place in it can seem when viewed from a cosmic perspective. Rather than being cowed by these revelations, awe-inspired scientists have worked for centuries to expand our knowledge of the universe and explore our place in it.)

Spirituality

While our previous examples of awe are sparked from without, there is another whose source is largely internal: Keltner describes spiritual awe as arising from religious and mystical experiences. Like the feelings evoked by nature, spiritual awe leads to both a diminution of the self and a feeling of connection to something greater. Keltner explains that spiritual awe leads to changes in brain activity, particularly in the regions that govern self-awareness. Though spiritual awe is felt by people of all religions, when we feel it, we usually interpret it through our own faith traditions, or lack thereof.

Religion, Meaning, and the Mind

Despite their differences, spiritual traditions share many commonalities in addition to the feelings of wonder Keltner mentions. These include a belief in a higher power and a sense of interconnectedness with others. Additionally, most religions offer frameworks for addressing the meaning of life and death, which are further sources of awe, as we’ll see later in this guide.

In How God Changes Your Brain, Andrew Newberg and Mark Robert Waldman explain how inducing spiritual awe through prayer and meditation increases activity in the brain region called the thalamus, which is responsible for relaying signals from your sensory organs to the information processing regions of the brain. At the same time, prayer and meditation suppress activity in the parietal lobe, which uses those sensory signals to paint a mental picture of your external surroundings. By neurologically skewing your ability to process sensory information, the spiritual awe Keltner talks about blurs the line between your perceptions of your inner experience and the outer world.

However, religion isn’t the only path to experiencing spiritual awe. Keltner suggests that you can achieve states of mystical wonder using psychedelic substances like psilocybin, peyote, or LSD. Research has shown that the mystical experiences produced by these substances can lead to increased openness, reduced anxiety and depression, and other positive psychological changes, similar to those measured in people who’ve had profound religious experiences. Keltner reports that a majority of these studies’ participants describe their psychedelic experiences as one of the most important events of their lives.

(Shortform note: Keltner’s discussion of psychedelics shouldn’t be read as a full endorsement of their use. Most psychedelics appear to pose minimal physical risks—there’s little to no evidence of organ toxicity, and addiction and lethal overdoses are rare. Nevertheless, scientists don’t fully understand these substances’ long-term effects. For a small proportion of vulnerable individuals, they can trigger enduring psychotic episodes. LSD, in particular, has been linked to rare cases of hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), in which people continue to experience hallucinations and other disturbances for years. Psychedelics can also interact with prescription medications, particularly antidepressants, sometimes with lethal results.)

In whatever way spiritual awe is achieved, Keltner notes its potential benefits, including improved well-being and positive social behavior. However, he acknowledges that faith communities sometimes use spiritual awe to justify harmful behaviors, such as increased tribalism or abusive power structures. He suggests that contemporary spiritual leaders should work to lessen these negative aspects while cultivating the beneficial elements of spiritual awe. Overall, Keltner presents mystical experiences, however they’re achieved, as potentially transformative events that can lead to significant positive psychological changes.

Spiritual Awe Without Religion

Keltner doesn’t go into detail about the negative aspects of religious awe, but in The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins does so at length. Dawkins argues that religions promote values that are at odds with modern morality, foster hatred and intolerance for those outside their faiths, and obstruct progress toward obtaining a more valid, scientific understanding of the world.

However, it’s possible to separate spiritual awe from religion. In Waking Up, atheist philosopher Sam Harris argues that religious belief isn’t necessary to lead a spiritual life—in his view, spirituality is more accurately defined as the process of exploring your consciousness as a means to find happiness and tranquility. Since this path to spiritual awe is a largely introspective journey, it lessens the risk of falling afoul of the harmful mindsets that Keltner says some insular faith communities foster.

The Circle of Life

In all of Keltner’s research, he found that one source of awe was by far more common than any of the others—awe brought about by the lives of other people. Keltner records that across cultural boundaries, most of our realizations of awe and wonder are tied to the cycle of human life itself, from birth to death and the astounding things we do between.

Keltner argues that human childbirth and development are unique in the animal kingdom. Since human infants are especially vulnerable, raising children brings with it many awe-inspiring moments, such as when a child takes her first steps. Even more than these, people often feel awe during childbirth, which can trigger profound shifts of perspective regarding life, responsibility, and interpersonal connection. In childhood, the sense of wonder goes both ways—children feel awe as they first explore their world, and adults get to see the world through their eyes. Therefore, Keltner argues the importance of providing children with many chances to experience awe for themselves.

(Shortform note: Despite the benefits Keltner lists for cultivating awe in childhood, parenting trends in the past several decades may have been moving in the opposite direction. In The Coddling of the American Mind, Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt argue that in response to anxieties cultivated by the media, today’s parents limit the activities of their children more than previous generations. As a result, there’s been a sharp drop in unstructured, unsupervised play, and today’s children are far less likely to engage in activities that teach independence—a vital part of childhood development. We learn to deal with risk and fear from games involving hiding and exploring, all of which also provide key sources of awe in our formative years.)

The story of human awe doesn’t end there. Keltner recounts that we experience awe when other people are brave, are uncommonly kind, or fight to overcome a challenge. These moments aren’t limited to grand gestures or extraordinary circumstances, such as when firemen run into a burning building. Instead, Keltner says these can be found in everyday acts of kindness, courage, and perseverance, such as when a teacher comforts a crying child or when a group of neighbors band together to preserve a historic community landmark. Such uplifting acts can inspire and transform us, even during difficult circumstances.

(Shortform note: The acts of heroism and kindness Keltner describes don’t even have to be real to inspire us—hence the power of fiction and myth to shape our lives. In Maps of Meaning, Jordan Peterson describes mythical heroic quests as models for behavior that reflect how the brain explores the unknown and incorporates new information, while in The Hero With a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell interprets heroic stories and myths as calls to action and spiritual growth. In pop culture, elements of classic heroic tales can be found in such cultural touchstones as Star Wars, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings, all of which have created shared experiences of awe, community, and moral philosophy in legions of fans worldwide.)

Finally, Keltner writes that facing death can evoke awe and cause us to reflect on the mysteries of existence. While awe might not be the first emotion you think of when contemplating your own mortality, Keltner asserts that when we face our life’s end, we can still experience awe by embracing the unknown with openness rather than fear. Even for those observing a loved one's passing, there can be moments of wonder and insight into the cycle of life. Keltner concludes that simply by being present as our loved ones pass away, we can find unexpected beauty and meaning in life's final moments.

(Shortform note: Experiencing awe in the face of mortality doesn’t have to be passive. In Happy, Derren Brown argues that confronting death head-on can empower you to take control and prioritize what’s important in your life. Doing so gives you a chance to bring closure to your life—for instance, by avoiding the end-of-life regrets that many people face. If you consider your end-of-life narrative now, it can guide you to better choices in the present, such as taking advantage of more awe-inspiring moments while you’re still able to do so. Keltner and Brown might both agree that acknowledging the transience of life and everything in it is essential to finding beauty, happiness, and awe.)