Quantum Change: When Epiphanies and Sudden Insights Transform Ordinary Lives

Most of us walk through each day expecting few surprises. If we want to better ourselves or our lives, we map out a path of gradual change; perhaps in counseling or psychotherapy. University of New Mexico psychologists William Miller and Janet C'de Baca were longtime scholars and teachers of traditional approaches to self-improvement when they became intrigued by a different sort of change that was sometimes experienced by people they encountered--something often described as "a bolt from the blue" or "seeing the light." And when they placed a request in a local newspaper for people's stories of unexpected personal transformation, the deluge of responses was astounding. The vivid, moving stories they gathered form the basis for this compelling book.

Exploring the experience of "quantum change" through the lens of scientific psychology, the book identifies two kinds of sudden personal transformation: insights and the more mystical epiphanies. Some participants in the authors' study accepted their experiences as products of rarely tapped inner resources; others as gifts from a higher power. Many recounted their epiphanies and sudden insights in exquisite detail years after the fleeting event, describing such enduring results as a greater sense of meaning in life, a shift in values or goals, or freedom from unhealthy behaviors. Closely examining the life conditions and personality traits in place both before and after the quantum change occurred, the book shows that such experiences are not as uncommon as typically believed, nor are they easy to toss aside as wishful thinking or passing delusions. The authors draw from research findings and psychological theory to address fascinating questions about where quantum change comes from, why some of us experience.

Library Journal

Psychologists C'de Baca and Miller (both Univ. of New Mexico) define "quantum change" as a kind of sudden "personal metamorphosis." People who experience it, they believe, are sources of untapped potential for universal human healing. Collected here are dozens of "before and after" tales that the authors derived from interviews, letters, and telephone calls. These tales reflect two types of quantum change sudden insights and epiphanies as well as their characteristics. The authors successfully assert that as a person is guided to a new place of authentic truth within himself or herself, peacefulness and inner strength ensue, and a positive shift in core values results. Unfortunately, the authors do not effectively address the other side that is, quantum changes that bring negative outcomes for the examples they give do not exhibit most of the characteristics of quantum change. Still, this work is valuable because it teaches ordinary people not to fear sudden spiritual encounters. For large psychology collections in public libraries. Lisa Liquori, Syracuse, NY Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

William R. Miller, PhD, is Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of New Mexico. He has published 40 books, including Motivational Interviewing, and his many scientific publications reflect his interests in the psychology of change, the treatment of addictions, and the interface of psychology and spirituality. The Institute for Scientific Information lists him as one of the world's most cited scientists.

Janet C'de Baca, PhD, received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of New Mexico. She is currently a research scientist with the Behavioral Health Research Center of the Southwest, in Albuquerque. Her professional interests include cross-cultural psychology and the prevention and treatment of addictive behaviors.