greatergoodsciencecenter

“From wonder to wonder, existence begins.”

Lao Tzu’s wisdom is the first invitation we receive in Dacher Keltner’s new book: Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life. It foreshadows the journey and revelation he offers in it: Awe is a compass towards meaning.

“If you listen to the feeling of awe, you’re pointed towards the truth of your existence.”

Dacher has been a pioneer studying awe, meaning, and compassion, as a professor at UC Berkeley and the Faculty Director of The Greater Good Science Center. I was first drawn to the book when I heard him share that while we often associate awe with nature, the most common source of awe is human connection.

Our conversation is an exploration of how we experience awe across the eight wonders of life, from music to moral beauty, art to the divine. By “claiming openness,” as he shares, we discover it’s closer than we think.

The first lesson I learned in The Greater Good Science Center’s Science of Happiness course is that I had the wrong definition of happiness.

Happiness isn’t solely our positive states, we learn from Science Director Dr.Emiliana Simon-Thomas. It’s feeling content within our whole human experience, which of course, includes emotions like grief and sadness.

What’s the most enduring way to cultivate it?

Her research continually leads to the same destination: Connection.

‘We often measure life satisfaction by asking: Have I been successful enough? When the real question is: Who am I in relationship to other people?’

We explore this question in our conversation; Examining it through the lens of meaning and belonging, compassion and forgiveness. The Science of Happiness course is free and an inspiring journey to embark on. Consider beginning with Dr.Simon-Thomas’ episode and taking the class with a loved one.

Louie Schwartzberg hosts Dacher Keltner Founder of the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkley. 

We discuss unique perspectives on humanity from psychology, compassion, and contribution.

How to improve your focus in the difficult moments.
Being in the present moment
How to stop being overwhelmed
Handling high-intensity moments
Mindfulness is all about awareness
Awareness of mind, body, and surroundings with an attitude of curiosity and kindness
Not trying to fix anything, it's about changing my relationship with something.
The difference between mindfulness and meditation
VUCA - Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguity