Seeking Mystery

Earlier this month, I reflected on a book I read titled: Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, by Dacher Keltner.

Based on the research, Keltner makes this astounding claim: It is hard to imagine a single thing you can do that is better for your body and mind than finding awe outdoors. Doing so leads to the reduced likelihood of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and cancer. It reduces asthma in children. It leads to a reduction in everyday aches and pains, allergies, vertigo, and eczema. These benefits of being in nature have been observed across the life span, ranging from newborns to the very elderly. 

Amazing! 

There is a marvelous story out of the Jewish Hasidic tradition about the child of a rabbi who used to wander in the woods. At first, his father let him go, but over time he became worried. One day, he took his boy aside and said, “You know, I have noticed that each day you walk into the woods. Why do you go out there?” The boy said to his father, “I go there to be with God.” “That is a beautiful thing,” the father replied gently. “I am glad you are searching for God. But, my child, don’t you know that God is the same everywhere?” “Yes,” the boy answered, “but I’m not.”

Let us pray: This is a day that you have made, O God, and we rejoice and are glad in it. Meet us today in our wandering and in our wondering. Meet us in our suffering and in our joy. Meet us in the beauty of your creation, and in the gift of friendship. Open our hearts, so that as we seek you, we would know your love. In Christ’s name. Amen.