The Power of Wonder: Igniting Curiosity and Embracing Awe

💡Wonder is a primal and primary human emotion that can help us navigate existential change and become more resilient.

🌟Systems within society often discourage wonder, prioritizing rigid thinking and the pursuit of single right answers.

🧠Experiencing wonder can have physiological benefits, such as reducing blood pressure and stress hormone levels.

🌈Cultivating a wonder practice involves practicing openness to experience, curiosity, absorption, and awe.

🌟Presence and mindfulness are crucial in experiencing wonder and finding moments of awe in everyday life.

What is wonder?

—Wonder is a magical and little-understood human emotion that can be both a journey and a destination. It is a primal and primary experience that sparks curiosity and awe.

How can wonder help us navigate change?

—Wonder can make us more resilient in the face of existential change. By embracing a wonder mindset, we can approach change with openness, curiosity, and a sense of awe, which can help us adapt and grow.

What are the physiological benefits of wonder?

—Experiencing wonder can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormone levels, and decrease proinflammatory cytokines. It has been linked to improved overall health and well-being.

How can we cultivate a wonder practice?

—Cultivating a wonder practice involves practicing openness to experience, nurturing curiosity, embracing presence and mindfulness, and actively seeking moments of awe in everyday life.

Why is presence important in experiencing wonder?

—Presence allows us to fully engage with and appreciate the present moment, creating the conditions for experiencing awe and wonder. Being present also helps us notice the details and newness in our surroundings.

00:00[MUSIC PLAYING]

00:09Sarah Asmaro welcomes Monica Parker, author of 'The Power of Wonder', to Talks at Google.

00:37Monica Parker defines wonder as a magical and little-understood human emotion that can be both a journey and a destination.

02:22Systems within society often discourage wonder and prioritize rigid thinking and the pursuit of single right answers.

05:00Monica Parker breaks down the elements of wonder into watch, wander, whittle, wow, and whoa.

06:46Monica Parker highlights the importance of presence and mindfulness in experiencing wonder.

09:53Wonder has physiological benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, reducing stress hormone levels, and decreasing proinflammatory cytokines.

12:30Cultivating a wonder practice involves nurturing curiosity, embracing presence, and actively seeking moments of awe in everyday life.