Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee
Episode: The New Science of Awe & How It Improves Your Physical & Mental Wellbeing with Dr Dacher Keltner (Re-release) #527
Release Date: February 23, 2025
In this re-released episode of Feel Better, Live More, Dr. Rangan Chatterjee hosts Dr. Dacher Keltner, a leading emotion scientist and professor of psychology at the University of California. Dr. Keltner is renowned for his work on the science of happiness and author of the insightful book The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. Together, they delve deep into the profound emotion of awe, exploring its various forms, benefits, and applications in enhancing both physical and mental well-being.
1. Introduction to Awe and Happiness
Dr. Keltner begins by challenging the traditional notions of happiness, emphasizing that while happiness was once centered around individual purpose and pleasure, the modern quest has shifted towards finding meaning beyond transactional values like money.
Notable Quote:
"Happiness right now is the quest for meaning."
[03:14] Dr. Dacher Keltner
This shift reflects a global moment of reflection, where individuals seek deeper connections and purpose, moving away from solely materialistic pursuits.
2. Defining Awe and Its Eight Forms
Awe is characterized as an emotion that transcends the mundane, taking individuals beyond their self-focused existence. Dr. Keltner outlines eight distinct types of awe, making it accessible and relatable:
- Nature: Experiencing the vastness of natural landscapes.
- Music: The profound emotional impact of musical compositions.
- Moral: Witnessing acts of kindness and courage.
- Beauty: Appreciating aesthetic beauty in various forms.
- Birth and Death: Life’s most profound beginnings and endings.
- Epiphanies: Sudden, insightful realizations.
- Collective Effervescence: Shared emotional experiences in groups.
- Cultural: Immersing in cultural identities and expressions.
Notable Quote:
"Awe is vast. It's like you encounter something that's beyond your frame of reference and mysterious."
[15:07] Dr. Dacher Keltner
3. The Multifaceted Benefits of Awe
Awe extends its benefits beyond mere emotional upliftment, impacting physical health and social behavior:
- Physical Health: Reduces inflammation, activates the vagus nerve, lowers stress levels, and decreases perception of pain.
- Mental Well-being: Enhances humility, reduces ego, fosters gratitude, and promotes social connections.
- Longevity: Social connection through awe can add up to 10 years in life expectancy, rivaling the impacts of smoking cessation or diet improvements.
Notable Quote:
"Five minutes of awe gives you benefits that are comparable to anything you can do."
[24:55] Dr. Dacher Keltner
4. Collective Effervescence: The Power of Shared Experiences
Dr. Keltner introduces the concept of collective effervescence, a term coined by sociologist Émile Durkheim, describing the heightened sense of community and shared consciousness during group activities.
Examples:
- Concerts and music festivals
- Sports events
- Religious rituals
- Community gatherings like Parkrun
Notable Quote:
"Collective effervescence is movement, shared attention, and that electric feeling that makes you feel united."
[41:15] Dr. Dacher Keltner
5. Technology's Impact on Awe and Collective Experiences
The conversation addresses the challenges modern technology poses to experiencing awe, particularly how smartphones and virtual interactions can dilute the essence of collective effervescence.
Key Points:
- Distraction: The prevalence of smartphones leads to fragmented attention during events that traditionally fostered collective awe.
- Virtual vs. In-Person: While virtual gatherings offer convenience, they often lack the depth and shared consciousness of physical presence.
- Rekindling Collective Experiences: Encourages participation in local community events and practices to reclaim shared experiences.
Notable Quote:
"We need to think about the richness of these common venues of awe that we can enjoy."
[43:04] Dr. Dacher Keltner
6. Practical Applications: Cultivating Awe in Daily Life
Dr. Keltner provides actionable strategies to incorporate awe into one’s routine, enhancing overall well-being:
- Awe Walks: Taking intentional walks to notice and appreciate the environment.
- Listening to Awe-Inspiring Music: Engaging with music that evokes strong emotional responses.
- Reflective Practices: Contemplating nature, art, or personal milestones to foster a sense of awe.
- Collective Activities: Participating in group events that emphasize shared experiences.
Notable Quote:
"These are little three to five minute shifts in how we do things that can bring us some of the benefits of awe."
[59:47] Dr. Dacher Keltner
7. Awe in Life and Death: Embracing the Full Cycle
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around how awe intersects with the profound experiences of birth and death:
- Birth: The emergence of new life as a catalyst for awe, symbolizing beginnings and interconnectedness.
- Death: Viewing death through the lens of awe allows individuals to confront its mysteries, fostering humility and deeper meaning in life.
Personal Reflection:
Dr. Keltner shares his poignant experience with his brother’s death, illustrating how facing mortality can lead to profound moments of awe and existential reflection.
Notable Quote:
"When you face death, you realize you’re part of something much bigger, something mysterious."
[83:26] Dr. Dacher Keltner
8. Cultural Perspectives and Language on Awe
The episode highlights the influence of cultural and linguistic frameworks on the perception and experience of awe:
- Non-English Languages: Concepts like Japan’s jibun and Javanese purna capture collective life space and shared existence, respectively.
- Western Individualism: The English language often emphasizes the self, making it challenging to encapsulate collective awe experiences.
Notable Quote:
"The English language doesn't really have good words to describe experiencing things outside of ourselves."
[98:23] Dr. Dacher Keltner
9. Religion, Spirituality, and Awe
Dr. Keltner connects awe with religious and spiritual practices, suggesting that many communal rituals are essentially expressions of awe:
- Religious Rituals: Congregational prayers, singing, and shared worship experiences embody collective effervescence.
- Secular Practices: Activities like playing music, dancing, or participating in community events can parallel religious awe experiences.
Notable Quote:
"Religion is a master at being a technology of awe."
[102:28] Dr. Dacher Keltner
10. Overcoming Modern Challenges with Awe
In addressing contemporary issues like loneliness, narcissism, and mental health crises, Dr. Keltner emphasizes awe as a remedy:
- Loneliness: Engaging in collective activities fosters connections and diminishes feelings of isolation.
- Narcissism: Brief awe experiences can reduce self-centeredness, promoting altruism and humility.
- Mental Health: Regular awe practices can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety by shifting focus outward.
Notable Quote:
"Awe is the perfect antidote to everything we're struggling with today."
[71:42] Dr. Dacher Keltner
11. Conclusion: Embracing Awe for a Healthier Life
Dr. Keltner concludes by urging listeners to actively seek and cultivate awe in their daily lives. Whether through nature walks, music, community engagement, or reflective practices, integrating awe can lead to enhanced well-being, deeper connections, and a more meaningful existence.
Final Advice:
"Find awe in the everyday. Look around and realize that you're part of something much bigger."
[110:12] Dr. Dacher Keltner
Key Takeaways:
- Awe Transcends Self: Moving beyond individualism to connect with larger systems and communities.
- Multiple Avenues: Awe can be experienced through nature, music, moral acts, beauty, births, deaths, collective activities, and epiphanies.
- Health Benefits: Regular awe experiences contribute to better physical health, longer life expectancy, and improved mental well-being.
- Modern Challenges: Addressing issues like loneliness and narcissism requires a shift towards collective awe experiences.
- Practical Steps: Incorporate awe walks, engage in communal activities, and practice reflective exercises to cultivate awe.
By exploring the depths of awe with Dr. Dacher Keltner, this episode of Feel Better, Live More provides listeners with both scientific insights and practical tools to harness the transformative power of awe in their lives. Embracing awe not only enhances personal well-being but also fosters a more connected and meaningful existence.