How Personal Transformation Occurs Following a Single Peak Experience in Nature: A Phenomenological Account
Lia Naor, Ofra Mayseless
Journal of Humanistic Psychology November 1, 2020 DOI: 10.1177/0022167817714692 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study, phenomenological approach Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | People aged 28 to 70 who identified as having had a peak transformative experience in nature |
| Topics | Mystical experience |
| Key findings | A peak experience in nature can catalyze rapid personal transformation through recognizing, owning, and integrating formerly unknown aspects of self. |
Abstract
This study focuses on a particular form of positive transformation taking place in the wilderness, defined here as peak transformative experience. A large number of studies have been conducted on the negative transformative effect of a single traumatic event, while very little research has focused on positive transformational events. We addressed this lacuna by studying a unique case of quick positive transformation, taking place in nature. This study goes beyond the common description and outcome of the peak experience by focusing specifically on the process of personal transformation. Applying a phenomenological approach, 15 participants aged 28 to 70 years, who identified as having had such an experience, were interviewed. Analysis of these interviews revealed the “essence” of the peak experience in nature which led to the rapid transformation. This essence involved the recognition of formerly unknown aspects of self, projected onto nature and experienced in an embodied way, evoking an insight into a meaningful personal issue. Choosing to own these newly discovered aspects and integrate them resulted in rapid personal transformation. The findings are discussed, underscoring the centrality of nature in this process, the importance of free choice, and the potential for harnessing positive transformative peak experiences in nature for human development.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on mystical experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The nature of peak experience in wilderness. Participants who had visited wilderness areas in Victoria, Australia, recruited via a... | 2009 | Qualitative study | n = 39 |
| Qualitative and Quantitative Features of Music Reported to Support Peak Mystical Experiences during Psychedelic Therapy Sessions Individuals with extensive experience administering psilocybin or psilocybin-containing... | 2017 | Survey and qualitative/quantitative analysis | n = 10 |
| Cannabis as entheogen: survey and interview data on the spiritual use of cannabis. Participants recruited from seven online communities, median age 33, 81% male | 2020 | Mixed methods (qualitative interviews and quantitative survey) | n = 319 |
| Clarifying and measuring the characteristics of experiences that involve a loss of self or a dissolution of its boundaries. Adults who reported an experience involving dissolution of self-boundaries or loss of... | 2024 | Cross-sectional survey with confirmatory factor analysis and qualitative thematic analysis | n = 386 |
| The developmental impact of not integrating childhood peak experiences Adults recalling their childhood peak experiences | 2007 | Qualitative study | n = 12 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Pivotal mental states Journal of Psychopharmacology April 1, 2021
- Defining Transformative Experiences: A Conceptual Analysis Frontiers in Psychology June 24, 2022
- Birthing consciousness and the flow experience during physiological childbirth. Midwifery November 1, 2024
- Intimations of a Spiritual New Age: V. Socio-Cultural Bases of a Globalizing Neo-Shamanism and its Relation to Climate Crisis: Possibilities, Inevitabilities, Barriers August 5, 2022
- From Contemplation to Connection: Empathy and Encounter in European Monasteries IntechOpen eBooks April 9, 2026
and 1 more in the library
Cites 6
- Varieties of anomalous experience: Examining the scientific evidence. American Psychological Association eBooks 2000
- The phenomenon of quantum change. Journal of Clinical Psychology May 1, 2004
- The nature of peak experience in wilderness. The Humanistic Psychologist October 1, 2009
- Peak Experiences: Some Empirical Tests Journal of Humanistic Psychology July 1, 1978
- Evolutionary Advantages of Intense Spiritual Experience in Nature Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture November 16, 2009
and 1 more in the library