MAN IS IN SEARCH OF AWE
The beauty found in the unknown
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It is difficult.
To survive the formality of occurrence.
To see the witty and shallow responses on the internet.
People are in dire need of gratification and approval.
Give them what they want, and try to be happy about it.
Even better, do not attach any emotions to it.
This seems the right way to go about it.
But not the best, indeed. It is pretentious.
Artists don’t rely on the external factors of gratifications.
They do have an eccentric need to show in front of an audience, but it is more of a need of the art itself.
They experience the best emotion mankind can experience.
AWE — Wonder of exploring the mystery.
It is not just Artists, writers and creative people who experience the Awe in day-to-day life.
A person scrolling on the Reddit feed might experience it as well.
But for a creative person, it is deeply rooted in the process of creation.
Formal.
The feeling of awe is deeply rooted in many cultures of the East.
The Festival of Lights in India, and the concept of “yūgen” represents profound grace and subtleness, evoking a sense of awe and mystery, emphasising the beauty found in the unknown.
Yūgen Meaning literally “dark” or “obscure,” yūgen suggested beauty is only partially perceived — fully felt but barely glimpsed by the viewer. — Britannica
Unknown is the keyword.
When a painter stares at the blank canvas he stares into the unknown.
Awe.
Let us explore this confluence of Creativity and Awe.
Unlocking the creativity
Stare at the vast open sky. A beautiful landscape.
Experience the natural wonders, while we are visiting this beautiful planet called Earth.
It temporarily mutes the brain’s prefrontal cortex allowing a state of flow.
A state where creative ideas flourish without inhibition.
Feeling where you find yourself unable to act.
Relaxed into the vast openness within.
You become the source of thoughts.
The dynamic expression that arises from nothing.
Empty.
Not even space.
Nothing, not even nothing.
Perspective Expansion
One might wonder about the implications of this on the day-to-day life.
Humans are more worried about that.
A bird never wakes up with the anxiety of having a bigger screen in the nest.
Anyways,
The meditative state in which Awe is experienced enhances cognitive flexibility.
Cognition makes us human.
Awe promotes holistic thinking. It leads to a creative approach towards innovative problem-solving.
Emotional Amplification
Awe amplifies emotional experiences.
Not like being on LSD, but in a more natural way, and better than LSD.
It makes the positive emotions more intense and negative emotions less intense.
This has a very profound effect on the way we live life.
Our risk-taking capacity increases and we explore more.
This ultimately results in success.
Risk has a high reward in nature.
More hunting more food, more pursuits more prosperity.
Inspired Collaboration
A group of people who experience the Awe together are more collaborative.
Awe factor of festivals and events like the Olympics enhance social bonding.
Witnessing the awe together in a meditation retreat inspires collaboration.
This bonds a community together.
It instils a sense of support system. A premise for collective growth.
Artistic Expression
Artistic expressions are direct translations of the dynamic expressions of the mind.
A state induced by the awe/bliss where the creation manifests before the dynamic expressions are concreted as thoughts.
Asemic.
Many renowned artists, writers, and musicians throughout history have attributed their creative masterpieces to experiences of awe.