Finding the Sublime in the Mundane: The Surprising Power of Awe in Everyday Life
Awe is a powerful, yet often overlooked, emotion. We tend to associate it with grand, once-in-a-lifetime experiences like visiting the Grand Canyon or seeing the Northern Lights. But what if awe wasn't just reserved for the spectacular? What if we could find it in the quiet moments of our daily lives, and what if this seemingly "small" emotion had a profound and lasting impact on our happiness and well-being?
A growing body of research in psychology and neuroscience suggests that awe is a critical component of a fulfilled life. It's a feeling that makes us feel both small and connected, humble and uplifted. By understanding what awe is and how it works in our brains, we can learn to cultivate more of it, and in doing so, unlock a deeper, more profound sense of joy that goes far beyond fleeting pleasure.
The Science of Feeling Small: What Awe Does to Your Brain
From a psychological perspective, awe is defined as an emotion that arises when we encounter something vast in scale, either physically or conceptually, that forces us to adjust our mental framework to make sense of it. This "vastness" can be anything from the grandeur of nature to the immensity of a new idea or a powerful human achievement. The key is that it's something that makes us feel a sense of overwhelming smallness in comparison.
But this feeling of smallness isn't negative. Instead, it's often linked to feelings of humility and connection. When we experience awe, something interesting happens in our minds. It's as if our focus shifts away from our own individual worries, concerns, and ego-driven desires. Our self-centred thinking takes a backseat, and our minds open up to something larger than ourselves.
This has tangible neurological effects. Research shows that experiencing awe can:
Reduce Stress and Anxiety: Awe has been shown to decrease the activity of the default mode network (DMN) in the brain. The DMN is the part of our brain that is most active when we're lost in thought about ourselves, ruminating about the past, or worrying about the future. By quieting this network, awe can provide a much-needed break from the self-centred thoughts that often fuel stress and anxiety. It’s like a mini-vacation for our minds, offering a brief but powerful escape from the daily grind.
Promote Prosocial Behaviour and Social Connection: When we experience awe, we tend to feel a greater sense of connection to others. The feeling of being part of something larger than ourselves can make us more inclined to be kind, generous, and cooperative. Studies have shown that people who experience more awe are more likely to offer help to others and feel a stronger sense of belonging to a community. In a bustling city like Mumbai, this sense of connection is more important than ever.
Expand Our Perception of Time: Awe can literally change our experience of time. Because the emotion is so intense and requires so much of our attention, it can make moments feel longer and more memorable. This can counteract the feeling that our lives are rushing by in a blur, making us feel more present and in control of our time.
Boost Curiosity and Learning: The feeling of encountering something vast and overwhelming can stimulate a sense of curiosity and a desire to understand more. This can be a powerful motivator for learning and personal growth, as it encourages us to seek out new information and adjust our worldview.
Awe in the Mundane: Finding the Sublime in Mumbai
While the grand experiences are certainly a source of awe, the real power of this emotion lies in its accessibility. We don't have to climb Mount Everest or travel to the moon to experience it. Awe can be found in our everyday lives if we simply learn to look for it. For someone in Mumbai, awe can be found in the most unexpected places:
The Awe of Nature: Take a moment to truly observe the natural world around you. This could be the immense, cloud-filled sky during the monsoon, the intricate patterns on a leaf, or the way the setting sun casts a golden light on the city's skyline. Even the sheer scale and power of the Arabian Sea at Marine Drive can be a source of daily awe.
The Awe of Human Creativity and Ingenuity: We are surrounded by amazing human achievements. Awe can be found in appreciating the intricate details of a historical building like the Gateway of India, in listening to a powerful piece of music that moves you, in watching an incredible performance of a classical dancer, or in reading a book that completely changes your perspective.
The Awe of Collective Effort: Awe can also come from witnessing human connection and cooperation on a vast scale. Think about the incredible coordination of the dabbawalas in Mumbai, the seamless flow of a crowded railway station, or the way a community comes together to celebrate a festival. These moments of collective human effort can be deeply moving and awe-inspiring.
The Awe of Stories: The human mind has an amazing capacity for storytelling, and we can experience awe in the presence of a powerful story. This could be a novel, a film, or even a personal story shared by a friend. A story that opens our mind to a new perspective or makes us feel a deep sense of empathy can be a powerful source of awe.
Cultivating Awe as a Daily Practice
The key to unlocking the power of awe is to make it a conscious practice. It's about training your mind to look for these moments of vastness and wonder, even in the middle of a busy day. Here are some simple, accessible ways to cultivate more awe in your life:
1. Take Awe Walks: Dedicate a few minutes each day to an "awe walk." Instead of thinking about your to-do list, intentionally look for things that inspire awe. Look up at the sky, pay attention to the details of a flower or a tree, or simply notice the sheer scale of the buildings around you.
2. Listen with Intention: Put on a piece of music you love and listen to it without any distractions. Pay attention to the intricate layers, the power of the instruments, and the way the music makes you feel. Awe can be found in the power of sound and its ability to transport us.
3. Watch the Sky: The sky is a constant source of wonder. Make a habit of looking up at the sky in the morning, during the day, and at night. Notice the changing colours of a sunset, the vastness of the blue sky, or the countless stars visible on a clear night.
4. Seek Out Meaningful Stories: Watch documentaries about nature or human achievement. Read books that challenge your worldview or introduce you to new ideas. Listen to podcasts that share incredible stories. These can all be sources of conceptual awe that expand your mind and perspective.
5. Reflect on Your Ancestors: Reflect on the sheer number of generations of people who came before you. Think about the challenges they faced and the life they built. This can be a powerful way to experience a sense of historical awe and a feeling of being connected to something much larger than yourself.
6. Be a "Wonder Hunter": Make it a game to find moments of wonder in your daily life. Can you find something in your morning commute that inspires a feeling of awe? Can you find a moment in your workday where you are awestruck by the creativity or competence of a colleague? By actively looking for these moments, you'll be surprised at how often you find them.
Awe: The Small Emotion with a Big Impact
The feeling of awe may be a brief, humbling experience, but its impact on our happiness and well-being is anything but small. By shifting our focus away from ourselves and towards something larger, awe can reduce our stress, strengthen our connections to others, and provide a deep sense of meaning and purpose.
In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, cultivating more awe in our daily lives can be a powerful practice for finding a quiet sense of peace and contentment. It’s a simple reminder that we are part of something vast and beautiful, and that even in the smallest moments, there is a profound sense of wonder waiting to be found. The next time you find yourself feeling stressed or disconnected, take a moment to look up, listen, or simply reflect. You might be surprised at the power of this one small emotion to change your perspective and bring you a much bigger sense of joy.