The Basic Practice

Wonder begins in the senses, comes alive in the imagination, and flourishes in adoration of the Divine. It arises from our natural curiosity about the grand adventure of life. It increases our capacity to be a bold inner space tripper and an avid explorer of the physical world.

There is no end to the things that can awaken our wonder, from the majesty of the night sky to the smell of lilacs in the spring to the turning of the leaves in the fall. And it is all right here, a feast of epiphanies and astonishments in the daily round of our spiritual lives.

The first step in this spiritual practice is to rejoice in the play of our senses: smell, touch, taste, hear, and see. Slow down and tune into the varied world of this and that. You'll never get anywhere with this practice by rushing.

Why This Practice May Be For You

Indifference — that listless, blase, and detached feeling — is the contrast to wonder. We can never be astonished, awestruck, or surprised when we are either overwhelmed or underwhelmed. Feeling the first, we don't notice the subtle blessings in our surroundings; we don't take the time to stop and smell the roses. Feeling underwhelmed, we couldn't care less. "So what?" becomes our response instead of "a-ha!" Wonder is an antidote to both conditions.

This spiritual practice spices up our life with a constant parade of new delights. Most glorious of all, it enhances sensuousness, that elixir that keep us forever young in spirit!

Daily Cue, Reminder, Vow, Blessing

  • When my senses are tingling, I take it as a cue to practice wonder.
  • Passing a tabloid rack in a grocery store, I am reminded that my curiosity can be trained on wonders not sensationalism.
  • Whenever I notice fresh dew drops on the grass, I vow to appreciate the wonders in the world afresh every day.
  • Blessed is the Great Artist who fills our very being with wonder.