This poem is incredible. I don't have words. Awe. Thank you for writing! I made it a daily practice to witness moments of awe. Nature provides a lot of these moments for me, especially here in Ireland. But I think we can practice to see every little thing in our day with awe. Sometimes I am in awe of what mankind was capable to produce. The very computer I am writing on. A platform that connects people throughout the whole world. New words. Never-ending creativity. I am in awe to be alive. Thank you for the reminder today!
And yes, it's so difficult to explain what is really best left unexplained. To just simply be with awe itself rather than put a mental construct around it. As you say, that is when poetry comes in, as do other art forms. To explain the unexplainable. Eckhart Tolle talks a lot about consciousness, awe, wonder and to be wary of mind and word explanations about things that come from "no mind".
This exploration of awe and wonder is the best of your writings I have read so far. Truly inspiring❣️
From the perspective of Synchronosophy (previously called 'Solosystem') awe is definitely not an emotion. It is, as you allude to, an expression of the sense of wonder. Emotions can be understood as expressions of the Instinct. Wondering is the language of Inspiration ~ cuoreosly, both awe and questions are part of the vocabulary of wondering. They are invitations to leave the (dis-)comfortzone of the limited sense of self and carry the potential to blow the cage around heart wide open.
Thanks Veronika! Your response here is a poem! Let me know when Synchronosophy is ready to sing. I admit to initially trying to chase the Grace of wonder and awe yet it finds me. Heart broken loose on the wind, soul ignited. Coming home to Love. Bless you 🙏❤️. Thank you so much for reading.
Is an emotion even an emotion? Can inspiration be thought the instinct of the soul expressed through the body? For me, anyway, when I feel awe, it is VERY instinctual. But it just comes from a different spectrum. "They are invitations to leave the (dis-)comfortzone of the limited sense of self and carry the potential to blow the cage around heart wide open." Love this!
In this case if inspiration is pouring through, I believe it is coming from source, it's source expressing as the body's response, which is a translation of the soul when the two are free of obstruction!
This was so beautiful! It is interesting to me, when we find the perfect word to describe our awe, it is soon overused and no longer enough. Everyday language can’t keep up. But thank you for finding the words to express, I like that you chose to call it Grace.
Thanks Jenn. As a painter, I think you can appreciate that a painting can say things that words might not. Thank you so much for supporting me here 🙏❤️
Just came across this quote and it reminded me of your post: “Remember that life isn't measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
Beautifully expressed brother. Loved reading this. That awe is a response to the immense silence you come into contact with when you sit quietly for a moment and allow all the masks to fall away...
I find it interesting that the experience of awe has health benefits. And since awe is often in conjunction with epiphany moments, and epiphanies have been shown to crucially re-invigorate people's lives (much more so than rational argument) (ref: Sophie Grace Chappell's "Epiphanies: an ethics of experience", OUP, 2022), then cultivating awe makes for an interesting journey. Your poem does just that, too.
Your sensuous imagery poem reminds me of two poets who both became clergymen, Herrick and Donne.
Science thoughts remind me of two brothers, Iain and Nigel McGilchrist. Iain persists with the science of observation; his massive 'The Matter with Things'; neuroscience, philosophy and all that, alongside for example his musical world, the structural with the phenomenal. Nigel has written a book on Pythagoras and gave a talk recently on the emergence of classical Greek thought, perhaps the beginning of western science: harmony as in the musical intervals, order fundamental in beauty. Herrick unabashed revels in dishevelled order and revealed beauty, and 'Julia'. We stand with awe and call it fortune? Smile.
Thank you so much, Philip! Your writing is poetry! I learned so much from your interactions! I will look these folks up and dive in. I was the one holding the camera on a misty day in Kilkenny in 2011. ❤️
I love what you bring here around awe, the brain, and the default mode network. I have read about this in relation to psychedelics and how they turn off the DMN while the rest of the neurons in the brain light up
in a web of connection. However, I often find myself in this state, if I allow it, simply softening my gaze and taking in beauty. Awe is definitely an altered state that feels more “real” and full of color and life than other ways of viewing the world. Beautiful piece and poem. Thank you Jamie.
Thanks Josh! I think there must be small a awe and big A awe. Some we must be able to cultivate, and some definitely finds us. Thank you so much for reading. 🙏❤️
This poem is incredible. I don't have words. Awe. Thank you for writing! I made it a daily practice to witness moments of awe. Nature provides a lot of these moments for me, especially here in Ireland. But I think we can practice to see every little thing in our day with awe. Sometimes I am in awe of what mankind was capable to produce. The very computer I am writing on. A platform that connects people throughout the whole world. New words. Never-ending creativity. I am in awe to be alive. Thank you for the reminder today!
Thank you so much for all of your support! Awe ❤️🔥
This is a really beautiful way to frame the world.
Thanks Jenn ❤️ it’s a painting
I love that ❤️
I love this poem Jamie.
And yes, it's so difficult to explain what is really best left unexplained. To just simply be with awe itself rather than put a mental construct around it. As you say, that is when poetry comes in, as do other art forms. To explain the unexplainable. Eckhart Tolle talks a lot about consciousness, awe, wonder and to be wary of mind and word explanations about things that come from "no mind".
Have a Grace filled day Jamie. Jo 🙏
Thanks Jo! The curse of a poet lol. I am a no-body in those moments for sure! Bless you! Thank you for your support. 🙏❤️
Thank you so much, Jamie 💕🙏
This exploration of awe and wonder is the best of your writings I have read so far. Truly inspiring❣️
From the perspective of Synchronosophy (previously called 'Solosystem') awe is definitely not an emotion. It is, as you allude to, an expression of the sense of wonder. Emotions can be understood as expressions of the Instinct. Wondering is the language of Inspiration ~ cuoreosly, both awe and questions are part of the vocabulary of wondering. They are invitations to leave the (dis-)comfortzone of the limited sense of self and carry the potential to blow the cage around heart wide open.
Thanks Veronika! Your response here is a poem! Let me know when Synchronosophy is ready to sing. I admit to initially trying to chase the Grace of wonder and awe yet it finds me. Heart broken loose on the wind, soul ignited. Coming home to Love. Bless you 🙏❤️. Thank you so much for reading.
I'll send yo an email 💕
Is an emotion even an emotion? Can inspiration be thought the instinct of the soul expressed through the body? For me, anyway, when I feel awe, it is VERY instinctual. But it just comes from a different spectrum. "They are invitations to leave the (dis-)comfortzone of the limited sense of self and carry the potential to blow the cage around heart wide open." Love this!
Thanks Alicia! Or is it the body expressed through this soul? In the grand (dis-)illusion I am only letting it all flow. Bless you 🙏❤️
In this case if inspiration is pouring through, I believe it is coming from source, it's source expressing as the body's response, which is a translation of the soul when the two are free of obstruction!
We are source 😉
Take a zero and twist it it's an 8
<3
♾️❤️🔥
I think they are equally true! <3
Yes, in this state of awe we are part of the bigger picture. We are bathing in the spirit of the universe!
Oh yes, the inner world is an entangled web of energy threads
This was so beautiful! It is interesting to me, when we find the perfect word to describe our awe, it is soon overused and no longer enough. Everyday language can’t keep up. But thank you for finding the words to express, I like that you chose to call it Grace.
Thanks Jenn. As a painter, I think you can appreciate that a painting can say things that words might not. Thank you so much for supporting me here 🙏❤️
That is true, and I lack words so often! But I am thankful that you are here with the things I wish I could say. A word painting ❤️
Just came across this quote and it reminded me of your post: “Remember that life isn't measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
~ Vicki Corona
Kairos ❤️
Synchronosophy?
Beautifully expressed brother. Loved reading this. That awe is a response to the immense silence you come into contact with when you sit quietly for a moment and allow all the masks to fall away...
Thank you! In the harvest of that invitation we see through the eyes of heArt. Love. Thank you for reading and reaching out. ❤️
I find it interesting that the experience of awe has health benefits. And since awe is often in conjunction with epiphany moments, and epiphanies have been shown to crucially re-invigorate people's lives (much more so than rational argument) (ref: Sophie Grace Chappell's "Epiphanies: an ethics of experience", OUP, 2022), then cultivating awe makes for an interesting journey. Your poem does just that, too.
Where are you in that photo?!
Your sensuous imagery poem reminds me of two poets who both became clergymen, Herrick and Donne.
Science thoughts remind me of two brothers, Iain and Nigel McGilchrist. Iain persists with the science of observation; his massive 'The Matter with Things'; neuroscience, philosophy and all that, alongside for example his musical world, the structural with the phenomenal. Nigel has written a book on Pythagoras and gave a talk recently on the emergence of classical Greek thought, perhaps the beginning of western science: harmony as in the musical intervals, order fundamental in beauty. Herrick unabashed revels in dishevelled order and revealed beauty, and 'Julia'. We stand with awe and call it fortune? Smile.
Thank you so much, Philip! Your writing is poetry! I learned so much from your interactions! I will look these folks up and dive in. I was the one holding the camera on a misty day in Kilkenny in 2011. ❤️
Thanks Jamie.
That shot of Kilkenny speaks of stories.
Great poem, mate! Have the best of days too.
Thanks Will ❤️
I love what you bring here around awe, the brain, and the default mode network. I have read about this in relation to psychedelics and how they turn off the DMN while the rest of the neurons in the brain light up
in a web of connection. However, I often find myself in this state, if I allow it, simply softening my gaze and taking in beauty. Awe is definitely an altered state that feels more “real” and full of color and life than other ways of viewing the world. Beautiful piece and poem. Thank you Jamie.
Beautiful ode to Awe and Grace. Thank you for always finding the words for those situations where words are simply not enough. Keep ‘em coming.
Thanks A! 🙏❤️
Beautiful 💗
Thanks Sarah ❤️
I am always awestruck by your posts. Thanks, Jamie!
Thanks Mo! Inspired by you!
Thank you so much, Jamie!
Senetta your writing on substack is a gift! Thank you for reaching out here. ❤️
Thanks Josh! I think there must be small a awe and big A awe. Some we must be able to cultivate, and some definitely finds us. Thank you so much for reading. 🙏❤️