The Magic of Experiencing Awe
In an article I read recently on the University of Wisconsin Health website, psychologist Shilagh Mirgain, PhD was quoted as saying, “Awe has many important implications for our well-being… Experiencing awe can give us a sense of hope and provide a feeling of fulfillment.”
I agree: Increase your well-being with awe-inspiring art. One example is the awe-inspiring painting below by Mary Cassatt that radiates feelings of love and affection.
We experience awe countless times throughout our daily lives… when we look closely at an incredible flower as it begins to blossom, a sunset that miraculously appears on the horizon, a flock of birds dancing across the sky, a majestic mountain range that towers high in the distance, or the vast ocean viewed from a window of an airplane.
We may not always be in the location or have the time to see such images, however, through art we always have access to the feeling of total rapture that elevates us to a different level of consciousness.
Many medical related articles also provide evidence that points to the physical benefits derived from experiencing awe-inspiring moments on a routine basis. A recent study from the University of California-Berkeley found that “participants who experienced more awe-struck moments had the lowest levels of interleukin-6, a marker of inflammation.”
According to Medical News Today, an online resource that provides a collection of topics and articles about specific medical conditions or subjects, inflammation is connected to pain, obesity, ADD/ADHD, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, migraines, thyroid issues, dental issues, fibromyalgia and cancer.
I’m not saying art is a cure for all medical conditions, but being awe-struck by an extraordinary painting of mother and child by Mary Cassatt or an awe-inspiring painting by Peter N. Van Giesen can possibly alter your state of mind.
Increasing our moments of pleasure, peace, and harmony being in a state of awe is a worthwhile goal to achieve many times a day.
You can receive the healing power of awe when you view the magnificent art by artist members on this website and to view art our uplifting online exhibitions. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the breath-taking image and visit the individual artists’ pages and their websites.
Visit the Healing Power of ART Gallery.
Awesome post. I’m always curious to how other artists get their inspiration. Most of the time, I’m amazed by their artworks, that I will actually start to think how they came up with that awesome piece of art.