In this engaging discussion, Dacher Keltner, a UC Berkeley psychology professor and emotion expert, reveals walking as a powerful tool for mental and physical well-being. He shares the concept of 'awe walks,' emphasizing how immersing oneself in nature enhances happiness and kindness. The conversation highlights the benefits of walking meetings and rituals, which foster concentration and reduce anxiety. Keltner also discusses the mind-body connection and offers insights on incorporating walking into daily routines for greater mental clarity and emotional balance.
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Awe Walks
Transform regular walks into "awe walks" by adding elements of awe.
Seek out new, awe-inspiring locations, focus on small details, then pan out to vastness.
insights INSIGHT
Awe as a Skill
The more you practice experiencing awe, the better you become at it.
Awe isn't diminished by seeking it; it's a skill that deepens with practice.
insights INSIGHT
Pain Reduction and Awe
Pain reduction may correlate with increased kindness and compassion from awe walks.
These emotions activate the vagus nerve, reducing stress and pain.
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In 'The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain,' Annie Murphy Paul argues that our minds are not confined to the brain but extend into our bodies, surroundings, and social relationships. The book explores embodied, situated, and distributed cognition, providing practical advice on how to think better by utilizing 'extra-neural' resources such as bodily sensations, physical spaces, and the minds of others. Paul draws on research from neuroscientists, cognitive scientists, and psychologists, as well as examples from artists, scientists, and leaders who have successfully used these mental extensions to solve problems and create new works[2][4][5].
Awe
The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life
Dacher Keltner
In 'Awe', Dacher Keltner presents a sweeping investigation and deeply personal inquiry into the elusive feeling of awe. The book reveals new research alongside an examination of awe across history, culture, and within Keltner's own life. It shows how awe transforms thoughts of self, one’s relationship to the world, and physical reactions to it. Keltner also explores how awe has propelled human evolution, is beneficial to mental and physical health, and can heal grief, build communal bonds, and humble us by making us feel part of something larger than ourselves.
Born to be good
the science of a meaningful life
Dacher Keltner
In this book, Dacher Keltner investigates the role of positive emotions in human evolution, arguing against the conventional view that humans are primarily driven by self-interest. He proposes that emotions such as gratitude, amusement, awe, and compassion have evolutionary value and are essential for cooperative societies. Keltner draws on research in emotions, facial expressions, and anthropological data to support his thesis that prosocial behavior was a key survival strategy in early human societies. The book also explores how emotions like embarrassment, touch, and compassion contribute to social order and human well-being[2][3][5].
The power paradox
How We Gain and Lose Influence
Dacher Keltner
In 'The Power Paradox', Dacher Keltner challenges conventional wisdom on power by demonstrating that it is not acquired through domination or coercion, but rather through compassion and selflessness. The book explains how people gain power by enhancing the lives of others and how the experience of having power can lead to its abuse. Keltner outlines twenty 'Power Principles' to help retain power and avoid its corrupting influences. He emphasizes that enduring power comes from a focus on others and that power is given by groups to individuals who advance the greater good. The book also explores the personal and social ills associated with powerlessness and provides recommendations for nurturing and maintaining healthy power[2][3][4].
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This scientist says that walking is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Here are some ways you can incorporate it into your life.
Today we're going to talk about something so obvious, but so incredibly powerful. Walking. This is the third of a three part mini-series we're doing focused on the benefits of spending time outdoors.
Dr. Keltner is one of the world’s foremost emotion scientists. He is a professor of psychology at UC Berkeley and the director of the Greater Good Science Center. He has over 200 scientific publications and six books, including Born to Be Good, The Compassionate Instinct, The Power Paradox, and Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life. He has written for many popular outlets, from The New York Times to Slate, and has consulted extensively for Google, Apple, and Pinterest, on issues related to emotion and well-being. He also hosts the podcast The Science of Happiness.
In this episode we talk about:
The practice of “awe walks”
The ritualizing of walking
How it can help your concentration and anxiety levels
10% Happier with Dan Harris 
