Several weeks ago, I shared an article on Looking Up and Soaking in Spirit. This practice was taught to me by Rev. Kathianne Lewis from CSL Seattle. Since then, I have discovered that there are scientific studies on the principle of looking up.
In 2019, a collaboration between neuroscience expert Dr. Fiona Kerr, Lekki Maze from Glider Global, Outdoor Media Association, and The Bravery released a report: ‘Art and Science of Looking Up‘. The movement rolled out a series of photographs on billboards in Australia, encouraging residents to Look Up!
According to the study, “Looking up and out can change your brain, your body, your relationships, your perspective, and your sense of identity and belonging.”
Neural and systems complexity expert Dr Fiona Kerr’s research supports and explains that looking up is good for our brains, our view of the world
and each other. This report includes a literature review of cutting edge, multi-disciplinary sources from around the world and explores seven key subject areas: eye gaze and engagement, abstraction and neurogenesis, lighting up our brains, solving complex problems, lived experience and memory, connection and connectedness, amplification and contagion.
When we look up and out we enter the state of abstraction or ‘daydreaming’ conducive for creative concepts, complex problem solving, new insights and Aha! moments. Our brain puts information together in new ways to find solutions – whilst also improving our capacity to maintain a focused state of mind with less effort – so we actually get better at thinking.
The Art & Science of Looking Up is an invitation to live life with a deeper connection to our surroundings and each other. It is a gentle nudge and reminder for everyone: to be present and engage with the world around them and the people they share it with.
When I recorded prayer treatments on Facebook Live, I always looked up — not realizing the spiritual and scientific benefits of doing so.
Now, when I find myself at an impasse or during moments of prayer for myself or others, I remember to look up to receive the full benefits of the prayer. Next time you get a chance, I encourage you to try the practice yourself. You might be amazed at what you discover.
I love it when scientific research validates my spiritual beliefs and practices.
Find the multidisciplinary research into the science and benefits of “looking up” report here: https://www.lookup.org.au/report.
One thought on “Looking Up”