The Science of Happiness

Happiness Break: A Meditation to Inspire Awe in the New Year

Jan 9, 2025

Experience a guided meditation focused on cultivating awe and welcoming new beginnings. Reflect on the beauty of budding plants, intriguing new friendships, and memorable moments that inspire wonder. Engage your senses as you connect with the present, allowing feelings of curiosity and awe to enhance your well-being. This practice encourages you to carry that sense of wonder throughout your day, uplifting your spirit as you embrace all that’s new.

06:50

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Quick takeaways

Experiencing moments of awe enhances our perception of connection to something greater, fostering curiosity and emotional connection.

Guided meditation can help individuals cultivate awe by reflecting on new beginnings and grounding them in the present moment.

Deep dives

The Transformative Power of Awe

Experiencing moments of awe can significantly shift one's perspective, revealing the extraordinary aspects of everyday life. Research indicates that these moments enhance our awareness of being connected to something greater than ourselves, prompting feelings of openness and curiosity. The physiological responses to awe, such as the activation of the vagus nerve and the release of oxytocin, can manifest as tears or chills, highlighting our emotional connection to these profound experiences. Additionally, awe is linked to increased generosity, kindness, and curiosity, underscoring its role as a vital emotion for personal flourishing.

Cultivating Awe: A New Year Meditation

7min

A meditation to cultivate a sense of awe by focusing on new beginnings -- whether it’s a budding plant, a new friendship, or a recent moment of wonder.

How to Do This Practice:

Find a quiet, comfortable space. Sit or lie down, close your eyes if you wish, and take deep breaths to center yourself.
Bring your awareness to the present moment—notice your breath, body sensations, and surroundings without judgment.
Reflect on new beginnings in your life. Picture meeting someone new and feeling curiosity about their stories, recall a moment of awe, like hearing a piece of music that moved you, imagine the growth of a budding plant, reaching for the light.
Focus on a recent moment of awe that touched you. Notice how it feels in your body and let the sensations linger.
When ready, gently open your eyes and carry this renewed sense of wonder into your day.

Today’s Happiness Break Host:
Dacher Keltner is the host of The Science of Happiness podcast and is a co-instructor of the Greater Good Science Center’s popular online course of the same name. He’s also a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley.

We’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

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Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3pdp8nky