Experiencing Awe at The Junction
At The Junction, our mission and intention have always been to inspire and empower you to make a difference in your life and those around you. We strive to create a space where you can connect with yourself and others, walking away transformed, empowered, and inspired. This week, our focus was on the profound and transformative emotion of awe.
What is Awe?
Awe is the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your current understanding of the world. As we delved into this topic, we explored how awe shows up in our lives and how we can actively seek it out. The intention was clear: to discover, tap into, and hopefully experience awe.
Meditation and Reflection
We began with a meditation session, led by Joshua, which helped us center ourselves and open up to the experience of awe. Joshua guided us through a mindful breathing exercise, encouraging us to become aware of our breath and the sensations in our body. This practice set the stage for us to be more receptive to moments of awe in our daily lives.
The Eight Wonders of Life
Drawing inspiration from Dacher Keltner’s book, Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, we explored the concept of the eight wonders of life. These include:
- Moral Beauty: Acts of kindness, courage, wisdom, humility, and perseverance demonstrated by others.
- Collective Movement: The sense of connection and shared purpose when people come together.
- Nature: The breathtaking beauty and power of the natural world.
- Music: The emotional and transformative power of music.
- Visual Design: Art and design that inspire and move us.
- Big Ideas: Concepts and innovations that expand our understanding and imagination.
- Spirituality: Moments of spiritual or religious significance that fill us with wonder.
- Beginning & End of Life: The profound experiences at the start and end of life.
Sharing Our Experiences
Participants shared personal stories of awe, ranging from witnessing acts of moral beauty to experiencing the grandeur of nature. One member reflected on the awe felt when observing the Northern Lights, while another spoke about the profound impact of simple acts of kindness in their community.
Benefits of Experiencing Awe
Experiencing awe has numerous benefits. It reduces stress, improves emotional well-being, increases our sense of connection with others, and makes us more open to new possibilities. Awe can also enhance our physical health by lowering inflammation and increasing compassion.
Conclusion
As we concluded our session, we were reminded to actively seek out moments of awe in our daily lives. Whether it’s through nature, art, music, or simple acts of kindness, these moments can transform our perspective and enrich our lives.
Quotes on Awe
“Awe is the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your current understanding of the world.”
— The Junction Today
“Wonder, the mental state of openness, questioning, curiosity, and embracing mystery, arises out of experiences of awe.”
— Dacher Keltner, Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life
By incorporating awe into our lives, we open ourselves up to a world of wonder and endless possibilities. Join us at The Junction as we continue to explore and celebrate the transformative power of awe.
