When someone is asked to think or write about a spiritual experience, this act leads them to experience awe. Similarly, when experiences of awe are induced, people report more belief in the supernatural.

People who are more spiritually inclined tend to experience more awe and other self-transcendent emotions - accounting for why spirituality boosts wellbeing.

Some psychologists and philosophers suggest that studying the roles of awe and the small self can help us better understand spirituality. Psychologist William James suggests that we can experience union with something larger than ourselves and, in that union, find our greatest peace.

The suggestion is that those who are good at spirituality will be good at having experiences of awe, which will help them become better people.

• Absorption. People who become more absorbed in their experiences are more likely to experience awe.
• Following a set of instructions to focus one's attention on the details of a natural environment can promote absorption.
• Mindfulness meditation involves focusing your attention on your current experience while resisting distractions.
• Actively using imagination helps with absorption. Those high in absorption are more prone to use mental imagery.