Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life

by Dacher Keltner

Hardcover, 2023

Call number

152.4 KEL

Publication

Penguin Press (2023), 336 pages

Description

Biography & Autobiography. Psychology. Nonfiction. HTML:"Read this book to connect with your highest self.â?ť â??Susan Cain, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bittersweet and Quietâ??We need more awe in our lives, and Dacher Keltner has written the definitive book on where to find it.â?ť â??Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again â??Awe is awesome in both senses: a superb analysis of an emotion that is strongly felt but poorly understood, with a showcase of examples that remind us of what is worthy of our awe.â?ť â??Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of How the Mind Works and Rationality From a foremost expert on the science of emotions and consultant to Pixarâ??s Inside Out, a groundbreaking and essential exploration into the history, science, and greater understanding of awe Awe is mysterious. How do we begin to quantify the goose bumps we feel when we see the Grand Canyon, or the utter amazement when we watch a child walk for the first time? How do you put into words the collective effervescence of standing in a crowd and singing in unison, or the wonder you feel while gazing at centuries-old works of art? Up until fifteen years ago, there was no science of awe, the feeling we experience when we encounter vast mysteries that transcend our understanding of the world. Scientists were studying emotions like fear and disgust, emotions that seemed essential to human survival. Revolutionary thinking, though, has brought into focus how, through the span of evolution, weâ??ve met our most basic needs socially. Weâ??ve survived thanks to our capacities to cooperate, form communities, and create culture that strengthens our sense of shared identityâ??actions that are sparked and spurred by awe. In Awe, Dacher Keltner presents a radical investigation and deeply personal inquiry into this elusive emotion. Revealing new research into how awe transforms our brains and bodies, alongside an examination of awe across history, culture, and within his own life during a period of grief, Keltner shows us how cultivating awe in our everyday life leads us to appreciate what is most humane in our human nature. And during a moment in which our world feels more divided than ever before, and more imperiled by crises of different kinds, we are greatly in need of awe. If we open our minds, it is awe that sharpens our reasoning and orients us toward big ideas and new insights, that cools our immune systemâ??s inflammation response and strengthens our bodies. It is awe that activates our inclination to share and create strong networks, to take actions that are good for the natural and social world around us. It is awe that transforms who we are, that inspires the creation of art, music, and religion. At turns radical and profound, brimming with enlightening and practical insights, Awe is our field guide, from not only one of the leading voices on the subject but a fellow seeker of awe in his own right, for how to place… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Katyefk
This book was very supportive to me in shifting my view and focus on what are the "wows" in my life. I now take time very frequently during the day to allow myself to experience wonder and deep appreciation for little and big things of beauty and specialness. What a wonderful shift to live in
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rather than the normal, negative and scary "news" about what is wrong all the time. I feel so much more relaxed and happy.
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LibraryThing member brianinbuffalo
[3.50, rounded down for a reason that will follow] The first third of Kepner’s book is an impressive 5 stars. It is an eye-opening exploration of a sensation that many of us give little thought to — awe-inspiring moments that put the “Whoa!” into our lives. The early parts of this book were
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so enlightening that I was motivated to take few pages of notes to remind myself of important points, including the notion that we can find awe anywhere, and the fact that there is concrete evidence that feelings of awe can “transform our minds, our sense of self, and our way of being in the world.” Experts insist it can even improve our physical health. So why the mediocre 3.5 star rating? The remaining two-thirds of the book is overstuffed with anecdotes and examples of people experiencing awe. True, people love short stories – and I love them as much as anyone. But readers don’t need a half-dozen vignettes of each aspect of awe to fully understand and appreciate the phenomenon. This book would have been more effective and engaging if it was half its size, showcasing the most vivid anecdotes. In some scenarios, less is more. Having said that, some of the tenets in this book will stay with me. Kepner’s categorization of awe into “eight wonders of life” is a reminder that awe-inspiring experiences are everywhere. In many instances, it’s merely a matter of training our brains to “find the extraordinary in the ordinary.”
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Pages

336

ISBN

1984879685 / 9781984879684
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