Living in Wonder
Core Message
True enchantment comes from recognizing and living within the deep meaning that exists in the world independent of ourselves. Modern society has lost touch with this enchanted worldview, but it can be recovered through intentional practices and a renewed way of seeing.
Key Themes
The Nature of Enchantment
"True enchantment is simply living within the confident belief that there is deep meaning to life, meaning that exists in the world independent of ourselves. It is living with faith to know that meaning and commune with it."
Enchantment isn't about creating meaning, but discovering the meaning that already exists.
The WEIRD Modern Mind
"Western people are far outliers on the spectrum of human experience, both historically and geographically. The way we see the world is very different from the way our own premodern ancestors saw it."
Modern Western society has developed a uniquely disenchanted view of reality.
The Role of Beauty
"Beauty offers us those moments of epiphany in which the fundamental unity and purpose of the world appear to us. It is also a bridge to the world of the transcendent and ultimately to God."
Beauty serves as a portal through which enchantment passes to us.
The Failure of Individualized Religion
"The kids have been raised in a culture of radical individualism, therapy, and you-do-you self-fulfillment. What they don't know, but will one day find out, is that a religion you make up yourself has no power to enchant. A religion designed to serve one's perceived needs is unavoidably self-worship."
True enchantment requires submission to something greater than ourselves, not the crafting of personalized spirituality.
Key Insights
- The world is stranger, darker, and more beautiful than we imagine
- Modern distractions often prevent us from seeing deeper meaning
- Engaging with nature mindfully can restore our sense of wonder
- Beauty reveals God's nature and truth
- Prayer and attention are essential practices for living in wonder