BeDo

Our emotional vocabulary is a principal determinant of our emotional experience.  

How well can you differentiate between emotions and their effects?

Did you know that language is a defining feature of our emotional experience? Understanding and being able to articulate our emotions is essential for wellbeing. But so often, we reduce our vast emotional spectrum to the big three—happy, angry, sad. When we incorrectly label disappointment as anger or gratitude as happiness, we limit the depth of our engagement with that particular emotion. And we may miss out on opportunities for authentic social connection. 

In BeDo workshops and on social media, we introduce technical definitions of commonly misunderstood emotions, in the hope that finding the words will strengthen self-knowledge and interpersonal communication. This week, we explore the difference between wonder and awe. 

When was the last time a landscape took your breath away? Have you ever been so captivated by a work of art that you lost your sense of time and space? Most of us can relate to the feeling of being truly and profoundly, albeit momentarily, touched by something larger than the self.

Engrossed in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we rarely pause to fully take in and appreciate the wonders around us. Yet there are moments in life when one encounters something so awe-inspiring that time seems to stand still. Wonder and awe are two emotions that have the power to ignite our souls, sparking a profound connection to the world and everything in it.

Both wonder and awe arise when we are confronted with something remarkable or breathtaking. They elicit similarly positive emotions like astonishment or amazement. However, they possess different qualities and differ in their scope and level of engagement.

Wonder 

Wonder is a sense of curiosity or amazement, sparked by something new, unusual, or beautiful.  It is that childlike fascination we feel when encountering life’s big questions. This thirst for knowledge opens the door to a world of endless possibilities, inviting us to explore further and ponder on the things we do not understand. There is a desire to learn, to grow, to reach for more. 

Imagine a child reading a book about the fish that reside in the deepest depths of the ocean. Curiosity peaked, he wonders how creatures manage to live in such light-deprived conditions. He sets off for the library to explore the topic further.

Wonder is tethered to curiosity and the process of discovery. Wonder reminds us that we are all lifelong learners, and helps us understand and it is only human nature to thirst after knowledge.  It is motivational; it inspires movement towards a greater understanding.

Awe

Awe, on the other hand, is arresting. It takes us aback, stops us in our tracks. Awe is a deep, existential, and deeply humbling emotion that forces us to shift our perspective.

Awe is an intense and all-consuming appreciation for something truly sublime. But unlike wonder, it does not have the grasping desire to know or possess knowledge. When we gaze upon the aurora borealis with awe, we do not need to understand how or why a magnetic storm produces such vibrant colors in the night sky. Awe allows us to sit back and remember our own smallness in comparison to the mysteries of the universe.

Imagine a young woman witnesses an extremely rare solar eclipse. The sun’s light is extinguished and the day slips into semi-darkness. She gazes at the sky, in awe of an experience so surreal and incomprehensible. Awe provides us with a renewed appreciation for life’s wonders and allows us to pause in the moment to reflect on the beauty of life.

Because of its affiliation with humility, awe is a great tool to overcome the tunnel vision of anxiety. When we are so preoccupied by our fear of the future, awe can bring us back to the present. It reminds us that most of our fears and anxieties are but a blip on the radar, a passing asteroid in the vast night sky.

Research shows that awe can meaningfully reduce harmful symptoms of chronic stress, simultaneously strengthening feelings of happiness and contentment. One study in particular found that more frequent moments of awe were directly correlated with lower levels of stress, improved somatic health, and better wellbeing overall. Interested in learning more about the transformative power of awe? We’d recommend Dacher Keltner, psychology professor at UC Berkeley and founding director of the Greater Good Science Center. Check out his latest book Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life and take yourself for an ‘awe walk’.

Awe and wonder enrich our lives on multiple levels—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. These small moments of reflection, admiration, and humility bring about other positive effective experiences, deepening our sense of joy, gratitude, and fulfilment. Sharing a moment of awe or wonder can deepen social bonds and create lasting memories with loved ones. By seeking and embracing awe and wonder, we open ourselves to the fullness of this human experience.