I did have to double-check the spelling of this word.. it's small but powerful.. the definition is 'a feeling of great respect sometimes mixed with fear or surprise'
During a busy and very wet half-term, I managed to grab a bit of time to sort out my polytunnel.. I wish I took a before and after picture. It had become a dumping ground for everything my husband didn't want in the house - plus more plant pots than any human could ever need. After a few hours of hard work and some help from the cat.. in company at least (he played around and even squeezed out a poop right in the middle of the planting beds) I finally got a good start for the new year of planting.
Anyway, this relates to awe because I listened to such an interesting podcast while working. I have to admit, I have never spent any time thinking about awe before, but this made me realise how much this fits with all the ideas I believe in. The idea of community is at the heart of my business, I value my close community and I know that they have helped me survive some extremely tough times. During the days when we were restricted on who and when we could see the people who matter to us, this loss of community was felt so deeply by so many people.
The idea of awe really fits with community and connection; the podcast talked about this, the way that social connection can help with anxiety and depression as well as bring feelings of awe. The benefits of awe have been studied, we do like to study these things. So scientifically the benefits of awe have been improvements to the immune system, reduced inflammation, improved cardiovascular system, it can help you think more clearly, and reduce the body's stress response. Amazingly these benefits have been shown after only 5 minutes of awe.
The podcast talked about 8 paths that can bring us awe, I thought these are helpful to list as they can show just how simple and easy it is to experience awe.
8 - paths to experience awe
Moral beauty - kindness and courage
Nature
Collective movement
Music
Visual art
Spirituality
Epiphanies-big ideas
Life and Death
The one I loved and felt i could relate to instantly was the idea of collective movement. This took me back to music nights and everyone dancing together and singing, I could instantly remember that feeling of wanting to cry. They go on to describe this feeling as collective effervescence-movement-attention, which can also be described as shared consciousness. This is such a powerful idea, it is this connection with others, sharing one thought, one movement, that can reduce us to tears. Can you think of a moment when you have felt this? I can imagine that religion, and prayer would bring about a similar feeling of shared consciousness.
An interesting point that came up, was that awe is not a static feeling, it can be cultivated and improved, we can get better at experiencing awe the more we practice. Any type of contemplative practice like meditating, reflecting, walking, or journaling can be paths to experience awe and hone our skills. We must remember that awe is a basic state of mind - you don't need special places or equipment, it is a natural way of being - wondering and appreciating the natural world - the everyday magic in a beautiful tree or an after-school hug from your eldest child.
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