Being able to climb a mountain and look out without ascribing the beauty to something so limiting. Peering through a telescope and letting your mind ponder what you are really looking at, without the limiting silly answers found in translations of ancient stories.

I agree. Though it is also worthwhile to ponder what you are really looking at without the limiting answers of modern stories. Einstein, for example, pondered without being bound by the prevailing scientific understanding of the time. It is important to appreciate just how little we really know, whatever informs your understanding. And while science has a great handle on quantum mechanics and a moderate handle on neuroscience, its ability to deal with 'beauty' is limited, I would suggest.