Enriching Psychology™: Your Brain During the Experience of Awe

Wednesday 23 October 2019

Your Brain During the Experience of Awe

A recent study published in the journal Human Brain Mapping by examined what the brain is doing when people have an awe experience, which has revealed “Awe” is capable of moving us out of our self-conscious mind.

According to an article in the “Greater Good Magazine “... awe may help stop us from ruminating on our problems and daily stressors. Instead, awe seems to pull us out of ourselves and make us feel immersed in our surroundings and the larger world (which may help explain its tendency to inspire generosity and a sense of connection with others).”

Through MRI studies, we can see that the default mode network... or how our brain behaves in everyday activities, is shut off, just as it is when people meditate, take psychedelics, or are in a state of flow.

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_awe_looks_like_in_the_brain

Danny Enright has over 20 years experience in Adult Education and 15 years in supervision and management. As a past board member of the British Columbia Organizational Development Network, and a student in the Langley Institute's "Diploma in Positive Psychology" program, Danny is fascinated by real-world, applicable insights into what makes individuals and groups successful, and how scientifically validated studies in positive psychology can enrich lives. Danny's efforts to understand his Tourette Syndrome has sparked his curiosity into the workings of the human mind, which have lead him to explore and apply revelations about neural-plasticity, positive habit formation, behavioural intervention techniques, self-awareness practices, and strengths analysis and utilization. Danny has moonlighted as an improv comedian and comedy writer, but for good reason, he has not given up his passion for his day job, and studying (and sharing) how to live an enriched life.

Words and Concepts

Acareability™... a combination of the words "Accountability" and "Care". It's when your friends family and colleagues lovingly hold you to the commitments you made. They have no vested interest in the results; only in your ultimate happiness and flourishing.

Talkwondo™... a "verbal martial arts" strategy that involves doing all you can to reduce friction in dialogue, and like other martial arts, provides ways to respond if the previous level of intervention did not work. Ends with strong verbal words that remain calm, but put you in control of the conversation.

Enriching Psychology™ is a reframing of the study of Positive Psychology, as well as the wisdom of timeless philosophers, ancient mystics and modern sciences. Sometimes our greatest selves evolve when faced with great challenges or strong questions, which enrich us and our circles to move to our next greatest selves.