Transformation from Within: A Concept Analysis of Epiphany

Historical Background

Examples of epiphanies occur throughout history. Many religious, social, and therapeutic movements emanated from people who experienced an epiphany. One of the most well-known accounts of an epiphany occurred when Saul of Tarsus, the orthodox Jew and persecutor of Christians, became Paul, the Christian missionary, on the road to Damascus. Core elements of an epiphany displayed by Paul included experiencing (a) a personal crisis, (b) a breakdown and breakthrough moment, and (c) a changed identity that caused him to embark on a new life course (W. White, 2004, p. 462). His commitment to his new life course led a religious movement that extended throughout the world. Other individuals responsible for religious movements after reportedly experiencing an epiphany included Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Buddha, Mohammed, Luther, and Wesley (W. White, 2004).

Social reforms have also been led by people who described experiencing an epiphany. Notable among these social reformers are Joan of Arc, Florence Nightingale, Jane Addams, and Bill Wilson. In 1934, during his fourth hospitalization for alcohol detoxification, Wilson experienced a vision of being at the top of a mountain and thinking, “You are a free man.” He stopped drinking from that day forward. This experience led Wilson to found Alcoholics Anonymous (W. White, 2004, p. 463).

The study of epiphany is not new. Edwin Starbucks, an American psychologist who attempted to apply scientific concepts to the study of religion, examined evangelical conversions using a religious and scientific perspective and sought to quantify the experience. He defined conversions as a “very general way to stand for the whole series of manifestations just preceding, accompanying, and immediately following the apparently sudden changes of character involved” (Starbucks, 1911, p. 21). He described conversion experiences as “energizing and powerful” and said “they appeared to catalyze psychological and spiritual growth” (C. White, 2008, p. 440). This sounds very similar to the concept of epiphany. Starbucks died in 1947; his work was continued by James Sparks. However, interest in gradual, volitional change began to take precedence in the discipline of psychology.

Description of Uses

The word epiphany originated from the Greek word epiphaneia (), which means manifestation (“Epiphany,” 2014b). Multiple dictionaries categorize the word as a noun, include an element of this origin in their definitions, and include epiphany as a Christian festival observed on January 6 that celebrates the manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles (“Epiphany,” 2014a, 2014b, 2014c).

The most complete dictionary definition offered the following ideas:

Findings from qualitative research revealed definitions of epiphany that encompassed a broader meaning of the concept. Hall (2003) defined epiphany as “events or series of events that were disruptive to life as usual” (p. 654). Stevens and Tighe-Doerr (1997) discovered that epiphanies can occur to individuals after receiving a life-threatening diagnosis and stated, “The essential meaning of their lives became visible as never before. It was as though … it turned on a light. They gained insights that fuelled radical change” (p. 527).

A study from the field of psychology conceptualized the experience as “one of sudden, discontinuous change, leading to profound, positive, and enduring transformation through the reconfiguration of an individual's most deeply held beliefs about self and world” (Jarvis, 1997, p. 6605). The experience included an intense affective component that was profoundly liberating. The findings suggested that a period of psychological chaos requires evaluation because it may precede an epiphany that leads to positive change (Jarvis, 1997, p. 6605). A study from the field of psychotherapy described an epiphany as “profound illumination of the inauthentic and authentic modes of self-identity” (McDonald, 2007, p. 17). In addition, this epiphany is the “result of an accumulation of personal processes that take place outside of conscious knowing, that suddenly and abruptly burst into awareness as a meaningful and life changing event” (McDonald, 2007, p. 17). This implies that the process germinates from within a person and comes forth suddenly.

The synonyms of epiphany echo a similar sentiment. The words are revelation, moment of illumination, knowledge of thought without a reason, immediate cognition, and intuitive understanding. Miller and C'de Baca (2001) used the word quantum change. The authors define quantum change this way: “Quantum change is a vivid, surprising, benevolent, and enduring personal transformation” (Miller & C'de Baca, 2001, p. 4).

Defining Attributes

The literature review supported the occurrence of epiphanies as a valid phenomenon, but it did not propose a list of defining attributes. Synthesis of the literature suggested that the defining attributes of an epiphany include the following:

Sudden, immediate, and unplanned clarity evolved from the definitions which all contained variations of “sudden understanding.” Miller (2004) added that the suddenness is part of what made the experience so distinct and vivid. An epiphany results in the ability to choose a path.

Individuals know instantly that “they have passed through a one-way door through which there is no return” (Miller, 2004, p. 456). The person sees an image of future potentialities and begins to live with resolve and confidence. This resolve and confidence reflects a comprehensive change in character and behavior which is usually, although not always, positive.

Antecedents and Consequences

Multiple antecedents that reflect related ideas emerged from the reviews.

The consequences of epiphanies are tremendously positive in most cases. For instance, Miller (2004) stated that the individual experienced benevolence, and described it as joyful and exhilarating. Common areas of change included release from chronic negative affectivity (fear, resentment, depression, and anger), sense of settled peacefulness, and a shift in values and priorities. The need for authentic relationships increased, and superficial relationships did not continue.

The model case illustrates the transformation experienced by a person who walked through a door and found a new way of life.

Model Case

Nancy frequently dieted but remained morbidly obese. She lived a sedentary lifestyle and developed hypertension and Type 2 diabetes. She experienced stress-related complications and had to take a medical leave of absence from work. While at home, she viewed a television show about weight loss. A woman on the show had lost 160 lb, and when asked how she did it, she replied, “I tied my shoes and walked every day.” Nancy knew in an instant that she too could and would simply “tie her shoes.” She immediately found her tennis shoes, tied them on, and went for a walk. When she got back to the house, she knew her life had changed. She chose a path of physical fitness that included goals she could accomplish one step at a time. As her physical stamina increased, her emotional condition improved. Her attitude toward food changed. She sustained this pattern of exercise and healthy eating and maintained a weight loss of 140 lb throughout her lifetime.

This model case has all the attributes of an epiphany. Nancy had been in a period of emotional chaos. Her moment of sudden clarity and understanding occurred when she heard, “I tied my shoes and walked every day.” That understanding generated action that led her down a path of better health. She chose physical fitness as her path and left her sedentary lifestyle behind. Even though she had lost weight several times before from dieting, she had confidence and resolve that this time was different. Her character was transformed into that of a person of balance. This experience relieved her negative emotions and altered her self-perception in an entirely positive way.

Discussion

Epiphanies generally result in positive outcomes for those who choose to embrace the opportunity. Patients in the hospital and people in the community struggling with chronic diseases reflect a population in need of positive outcomes. Usually lifestyle changes are required for the described population, which are difficult to achieve. The internal conflict between accepting a challenging diagnosis and needing to make lifestyle changes generates the perfect environment for an epiphany to occur. It is possible the antecedents of unhappiness, desperation, isolation, anxiety, and depression are present during times of stress. Nurses are in a unique position to recognize antecedents and can encourage patients to be open to the possibility of an epiphanic experience. If a nurse identifies that an epiphany may have or has occurred, then through the process of active listening and authentic relationship building the nurse can help the individual integrate and validate this experience. Validation occurs through discussion and assisting the person to process and assimilate the transformation (W. White, 2004). Because it is possible to have a negative outcome from an epiphany, it is crucial to listen carefully to grasp the meaning of the experience. If a negative outcome is suspected or anticipated, intervention may be necessary.

Conclusion

Making sense and order of this phenomenon will occur through research. Initial research should focus on theory development to determine how and why epiphany happens. When the how and why are understood, then the possibility exists to develop strategies for therapeutic interventions which would ideally lead to the possibility of prospective studies.

The potential to resolve mental and physical health issues through facilitating the induction of an epiphany is intriguing. The financial impact of successfully achieving that ability is also interesting. For example, the model case is based on an actual person, who was able to stop taking blood pressure medicine completely and reduced her diabetes medication needs by 75%. The post-epiphany impact not only improved her mental and physical health but her financial condition as well. She was able to return to work, pursue a higher degree (more income potential), and spend less money on medications. The potential cost savings compound when this model is extrapolated to populations.

A small body of evidence suggests that the phenomenon of epiphany is profound, liberating, and enduring. Nursing research has not considered the potential of an epiphany and how it applies to health. Nurses are in a unique position to pursue research opportunities that seek to use the healing properties that result from epiphanies. Who better to capture the essence of this phenomenon than the nurse?