Epiphanies

"In a quiet moment in therapy, a breakthrough comes—the miracle of the new." "Epiphany" is defined by Webster's as a "sudden insight into the reality or essential meaning of something." "But my favorite part of the definition," says psychotherapist Ann Jauregui, "tells us that the revelation is usually brought on by some simple, homely, or commonplace experience. Something big is occasioned by something little, something easily missed. And it unfolds from there—sometimes as...
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"In a quiet moment in therapy, a breakthrough comes—the miracle of the new." "Epiphany" is defined by Webster's as a "sudden insight into the reality or essential meaning of something." "But my favorite part of the definition," says psychotherapist Ann Jauregui, "tells us that the revelation is usually brought on by some simple, homely, or commonplace experience. Something big is occasioned by something little, something easily missed. And it unfolds from there—sometimes as a flash, sometimes in exquisite slow motion—out of conventional time and space and language. 'Look at this,' you whisper as you see something about the universe you've never seen before. 'And look at this,' you whisper too, seeing yourself seeing it. The universe is bigger than it was a minute ago, and so are you." In this intimate, lyrical integration of psychology and spirituality, Dr. Jauregui shares the stories of nine clients, casting light on moments that "just came," bringing surprise, comfort, and joy. "Shyly we venture out with these stories," she writes, "into a world still in the thrall of a reluctant science and its cousin, a reluctant psychotherapy." We are the beneficiaries, invited into a sparkling conversation that explores these life-changing surprises, and our own.