How Awe Brings Us Together
Feeling awe changes your brain. In our first episode in a series about the science awe, we explore how awe can make you a better friend, partner, and community member.
\n\nLink to episode transcript: https://tinyurl.com/ytph8dnc
\n\nEpisode summary:
\n\nWhen Mirna Valerio tried out hiking for the first time as a young kid, she discovered something she didn\u2019t expect: Being outdoors seemed to bring strangers closer to one another. It was like it somehow fastracked forming meaningful relationships. Today we know that the feeling of awe nature often inspires has something to do with this. Awe is the feeling you get when in the presence of something vast and incomprehensible. When we feel it, our sense of self shrinks \u2013 in a good way \u2013 and we get better at connecting with others. Today on The Science of Happiness, we explore what it\u2019s like when awe helps us create communities, and the science behind how it works.
\n\nThis episode is part of special series we\u2019re doing on Awe. In the weeks ahead, we\u2019ll share Happiness Breaks to help you contemplate what\u2019s awe-inspiring in your life and explore more dimensions of awe in the stories and science we share on this podcast.
\n\nOur host, Dacher Keltner, has a new book out about awe. It\u2019s called Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/3uzk8m5r
\n\nPractice: Awe Narrative
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Think back to a time when you felt a sense of awe; when you were around something vast and incomprehensible. It could be something physically vast, like a mountain range or beautiful valley, or psychological, like a brilliant idea or inspiring person.
\nDescribe the experience in writing in as much detail as possible. Don\u2019t worry about spelling or grammar, just get down as much about the experience as you can.
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Learn more about this practice at Greater Good In Action:
\n\nhttps://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/awe_narrative
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Today\u2019s guests:
\n\nMirna Valerio is an ultra-marathon athlete and author known for her body-positive presence on social media.
\n\nFollow Mirna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themirnavator/?hl=en
\n\nFollow Mirna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheMirnavator
\n\nFollow Mirna on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMirnavator/
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Yang Bai is a professor at Peking University in China.
\n\nLearn more about Bai and her work: https://en.gsm.pku.edu.cn/faculty/ybai/
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Resources from The Greater Good Science Center:
\n\nSix Ways to Incorporate Awe Into Your Daily Life: https://tinyurl.com/3emucdez
\n\nHow the Science of Awe Shaped Pixar\u2019s \u201cSoul:\u201d https://tinyurl.com/37z43vrz
\n\nHow a Sense of Awe Can Inspire Us to Confront Threats to Humanity: https://tinyurl.com/3k6xprau
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More Resources About Awe
\n\nThe Atlantic\xa0 - The Quiet Profundity of Everyday Awe: https://tinyurl.com/yz623mff
\n\nNYT - How a Bit of Awe Can Improve Your Health: https://tinyurl.com/4zdzcusk
\n\nSierra Club - The Science of Awe: https://tinyurl.com/3pfn23t7
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Tell us about your experiences of awe. Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.
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