In her book The Sense of Wonder, Rachel Carson makes a strong case for adults to foster “the fires of wonder and amazement” in children through the “exploration of the natural world”.
As Carson charmingly puts it: “A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. … If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life.”
Carson elaborates “It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood.” When I first read this statement, I couldn’t help but think—If this is true, isn’t there a way for adults to rekindle the “true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring”? Surely, a sense of wonder and amazement is not reserved for only children. Surely, there are steps we can take to cultivate a sense of wonder regardless of our age.
An obvious approach would be to seek out and admire extraordinary examples of nature such as the majesty of the Grand Canyon in Arizona…
… or the splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina…
… or the grandeur of a UAE desert at sunset…
… or the imposing sight of a Newfoundland iceberg…
…or the magnificence of first light on a Prince Edward Island beach.
Fortunately, nature doesn’t have to be extraordinary to inspire wonder and awe. “Exploring nature … is largely a matter of becoming receptive to what lies all around you.” writes Carson. “It is learning again to use your eyes, ears, nostrils and finger tips, opening up the disused channels of sensory impression. For most of us, knowledge of our world comes largely through sight, yet we look about with such unseeing eyes that we are partially blind.”
It’s easy, for instance, to overlook a simple spider web. Yet, freshly fallen raindrops can turn it into a marvelous work of art.
Carson suggests “One way to open your eyes to unnoticed beauty is to ask yourself, ‘What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would never see it again?”
Indeed, what if I had never seen this Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) preparing its nest? What if I knew I would never see it again? This mode of questioning would certainly make me stop to take notice and more fully appreciate the scene before me.
Similarly, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this mother Eurasian Coots (Fulica atra) feeding its ducklings. Admittedly, I’m always on the lookout for interesting photos which means I often pay close attention to ordinary scenes while waiting for the best possible capture.
Interestingly, 60 years after Carson published The Sense of Wonder, scientific research is actively being conducted on the emotion of awe. The findings echo Carson’s conviction of the “value of preserving and strengthening this sense of awe and wonder, [and] this recognition of something beyond the boundaries of human existence”.
Dr. Dacher Keltner is a renowned expert in the science of human emotion, a professor of psychology at UC Berkeley, the faculty director of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and author of several books including the January 2023 book, AWE The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. He writes “An experience of awe involves feeling that you’re in the presence of something vast that challenges your understanding of the world; that could be found in nature, art, a mind-blowing idea, or an impressive feat, including acts of great skill or virtue.”
Watching a massive, wild humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breach is one of my most memorable moments of awe (see my previous blog post Watching Humpbacks on the Bay of Fundy).
Keltner observes “momentary experiences of awe stimulate wonder and curiosity.” But it’s much more than that—“research suggests that awe carries unique health benefits, sharpens your thinking, and makes you more generous” as reported on the Greater Good in Action website.
This website also offers some terrific advice for experiencing awe via their Pathway to Happiness program. This 4-week program is designed to “jumpstart your journey to a more meaningful life through weekly science-based practices”. One of the recommended practices is “Noticing Nature”. (See More Info section below for direct links).
The “Noticing Nature” practice requires very little time—between 5–15 minutes per day. There are 4 steps to follow.
“1 Be mindful of nature. Give special attention to the natural elements and objects around you… Ask yourself and notice: How do these make you feel?”
I remember being awe-struck by the beauty of this early morning scene.
“2 Take a photo. When you encounter a natural object or scene that evokes a strong emotion in you, that moves you in some way, take a photo of it.”
I wondered at the pattern of this vine—why and how did the tendrils grow in such perfect spiral coils?
“3 Save, share, and describe your photo. … write a short description of why you took the photo and how the nature scene made you feel”.
This is business as usual for me—I love to share photos and stories on the FanningSparks blog. Shown below are two photos I shared previously in my blog post Savor: My Word for 2020. I was enjoying the calm and stillness of an early morning paddle when I spotted a simple feather floating in a sea of pastels.
“4 Repeat. Be mindful of how the nature you encounter makes you feel on a daily basis…”
Another recommend practice in the Pathway to Happiness program is an “Awe Outing” designed to help you find wonder and inspiration in the world outside.
The idea behind the “Awe Outing” is “to be in the right frame of mind … to turn an ordinary outing into a series of awe-inspiring moments filled with delightful surprises.” In selecting a destination for your outing, consider that “awe is most likely to occur in places that have two key features: physical vastness and novelty. These could include natural … or urban settings. …. You’re more likely to feel awe in a new place, where the sights and sounds are unfamiliar to you. That said, some places never seem to get old.”
I noticed two key points on how to do it:
1) Breathe deeply and deliberately. “Every so often, bring your attention back to your breath. Count to six as you inhale and seven as you exhale.”
2) Engage all your senses. “Notice—really notice—the many sights, sounds, smells, and other sensations that are dancing through your awareness”.
Here’s an example of something minor and insignificant which I noticed while enjoying an outing on the beach.
Awe outing recommendations remind me of the Certified Forest Therapy Trail I enjoyed a few years ago in Madison Georgia (see my blog post Shinrin-yoku, Forest Therapy or Deliberate Dawdling?). In that situation, guests were also invited to breathe deeply, to slow down and to engage all their senses — “Stand still for a moment – what are you noticing? Hearing? Smelling? Seeing?”.
I’d like to conclude with these thoughtful words from Carson: “What is the value of preserving and strengthening this sense of awe and wonder, this recognition of something beyond the boundaries of human existence? ls the exploration of the natural world just a pleasant way to pass the golden hours of childhood or is there something deeper?
I am sure there is something much deeper, something lasting and significant. Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. Whatever the vexations or concerns of their personal lives, their thoughts can find paths that lead to inner contentment and to renewed excitement in living. Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”
More Info
Previous blog posts mentioned in today’s blog post include:
. Watching Humpbacks on the Bay of Fundy
. Savor: My Word for 2020
. Shinrin-yoku, Forest Therapy or Deliberate Dawdling?
This blog post was inspired by Rachel Carson’s book The Sense of Wonder. The book was published posthumously in 1965. It is available here on Internet Archives. I first shared my admiration for Rachel Carson in my previous blog post, Cloud Gazing Around the World. “Rachel Carson was an American marine biologist, writer, and conservationist whose sea trilogy (1941–1955) and book Silent Spring (1962) are credited with advancing marine conservation and the global environmental movement.” writes Wikipedia.
You can learn more on the Rachel Carson Council website. “The Rachel Carson Council, founded in 1965, is the national environmental organization envisioned by Rachel Carson to carry on her work after her death. We promote Carson’s ecological ethic that combines scientific concern for the environment and human health with a sense of wonder and reverence for all forms of life in order to build a more sustainable, just, and peaceful future.”
Equally inspirational to this blog post is the work of Dr. Dacher Keltner, renowned expert in the science of human emotion, professor of psychology at UC Berkeley, faculty director of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and author of several books including AWE The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. You can learn more on Dacher Keltner’s website and the Greater Good in Action website.
The Greater Good in Action website provides “Science-based practices for a meaningful life, curated by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley.” As explained on the website, “Research is clear: Happiness, resilience, connection, and kindness are skills that can be taught and developed over time—with practice. … Greater Good in Action collects the best research-based methods for a happier, more meaningful life—and puts them at your fingertips in a format that’s easy to navigate and digest.”
Here are links to the two “awe practices” mentioned in this blog post: Noticing Nature and Awe Outing are part of the Pathway to Happiness program on the Greater Good in Action website.
In addition to the resources already mentioned, the following books, articles and websites were consulted in the writing of this blog post:
. Finding Awe Amid Everyday Splendor January 2023 Noema Magazine article by Henry Wismayer
. Awe Is Good for Your Brain. Here’s How to Find It. July 2023 Outside article by Florence Williams
. The Power of AWE website which showcases the book The Power of Awe: Overcome Burnout & Anxiety, Ease Chronic Pain, Find Clarity & Purpose―In Less Than 1 Minute Per Day by Jake Eagle LPC and Michael Amster MD.
Today’s Takeaways
1. Consider following the recommended practices to cultivate a sense of wonder and awe.
2. “Research suggests that awe carries unique health benefits, sharpens your thinking, and makes you more generous.” Greater Good in Action website.
3. “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” Rachel Carson
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