Wild Awe

 

Wild Awe

Last weekend while camping, I experienced firsthand the reprieve that time in nature  offers. This was no doubt magnified by my concurrent reading of the book, Awe by Dacher Keltner. As the Universe would have it,I was literally reading the chapter on Wild Awe which speaks to the emerging science behind what so many of us have experienced in nature!

Not surprisingly, a growing number of Americans report feeling the greatest connection with the Divine while in nature. I have long appreciated that experience myself without the need for scientific data, but it is truly awe inspiring to consider why that is and how it works.

It seems to affirm the fullness of divine intelligence imbued in every aspect of life – including the energetic power of nature itself to calm our nervous systems and put us in touch with the majestic vastness of the cosmos, and our small, but powerful place within it.

Keltner’s explanation for why he decided to embark on this study of awe is telling:

 “ ...going on the hunch that awe may be an antidote to our overheated and overstressed times. We suspected that awe might shift the inflammation response caused by our immune system, in particular that which comes from chronic threat, rejection and loneliness. Awe,
by contrast, heightens our awareness of being a part of a community…”  (Keltner, D., Awe, pg. 117).

He goes on to share the inspiring findings that time spent in nature correlates with a decrease in the  presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines which are not only heightened by our natural  immune response to ward off bacteria and viruses, but also triggered by social threats.

“Studies find that social rejection, shame, being the target of prejudice, chronic stress, loneliness and threats to loved ones also elevate these levels in your body. The prediction is that everyday awe can be a pathway for avoiding chronic inflammation and the ills of the 21st century that is associated with it: depression, chronic anxiety, heart disease, auto immune issues and despair” (Keltner, D., Awe, pg. 118).

How?
Among other things, Keltner notes that "awe,by contrast heightens our awareness of being part of a community, of feeling embraced and supported by others. Feeling awe, we place the stresses of life within a larger context” (Pg. 118).

To me, this is the scientific proof, of the magnificent divine design imbued within every aspect of creation itself, which we can absolutely plug into and benefit from.

To be perfectly honest, I landed in nature last weekend quite exhausted and a bit overwhelmed. That was BEFORE going through the motions of ‘setting up camp’. :) In fact, I missed the star-filled sky the first night because I was already asleep! Thankfully, I was well rested and able to stay awake to see the stars – which always seem to reflect some piece of timely wisdom back to me. 

As I gazed out and felt the heaviness of my own overwhelm ease a bit into the vastness of the cosmos, I could literally feel more spaciousness in myself. I could breath more deeply.
It was as if I could feel more of the fullness of life itself which, for that moment, expanded my awareness beyond my own experience of overwhelm. A deep feeling of relief came over me, followed by a literal sense of awe at the process that had just occurred.

As Dasher concludes, “Wild awe returns us to a big idea; that we are part of something much larger than the self, one member of many species in an interdependent, collaborating natural world” (Keltner, D., pg. 138).

Indeed, that is what I tapped into up in that vast, starry night sky; not only are we in this all this all together, but all of life really does conspire to support us in truly awe-inspiring and wondrous ways!

If you are feeling overwhelmed – remember to get outdoors and connect with nature! Notice how doing so connects you with the fullness of your own nature beyond whatever is feeling so overwhelming. 

Our teacher and wayshower, Jesus of Nazareth spent meaningful time in prayer, in the wilderness. It was there that he had the great revelation that the Kingdom of God was indeed already here-- amoung us!

Join us as we continue this exploration on Sunday morning at 10am.


Source Cited:

Keltner, D. (2023). Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. New York: Penguin Press.

 

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