Creativity Epiphanies and Phase Transitions-Nancy Hillis
As we approach January 6, I’m reminded of Epiphany, a time of historical, religious and celestial significance, which serves as inspiration for this blog post.
Epiphany, the time that marks the latest sunrise of the year in the Mediterranean latitudes is also noted by the Catholic celebration of the Magi.
I’m fascinated with this confluence of the religious celebration, the celestial phenomenon of the latest sunrise, the connection to creativity and the roots of the word epiphany.
This post is part of an ongoing conversation on the intersection of creativity, art, psychology and science with my partner, the polymath Dr. Bruce Sawhill, who is a physicist, mathematician, musician, composer and inventor.
Epiphany, from the ancient Greek ἐπιφάνεια, epiphanea, “manifestation, striking appearance”, has been described as an experience of a sudden and striking realization.
The word is often used to describe a creative or scientific breakthrough, a surprising revelation of something new and inspiring or even when something is understood and seen with fresh eyes in a novel and deeper way.
Newton and the apple is a classic example.
Newton observed an apple fall from a tree. He wondered if the force that governed the apple’s fall was the same force that governed the motion of the moon around the earth. This led Newton to formulate his universal law of gravitation.
A storm broke loose in my mind.
I went out to the hazel wood,
Because a fire was in my head
I submit to you that most epiphanies are not sudden and surprising if you dig into them deeply
In a previous blog post we discussed the importance of seeds, and how much happens before the sudden reveal of new life bursting forth.
There is a great deal going on invisibly, underneath the surface of things.
So now I ask you to hang on tightly, as we are going to make a leap from ancient mysticism and religion to modern science, for the purpose of understanding the relationship between the suddenness with the gradualness of epiphanies.
Two Mathematicians: Dots & Lines
To do so, I’d like to introduce you to two mathematicians, Paul Erdös and Alfréd Rényi, Hungarians who studied objects called graphs, which are merely abstract collections of dots and lines connecting those dots.
They studied dots and lines for much the same reasons abstract artists do. Dots and lines are beautiful, compelling and generate interesting patterns.
To take this a step further in order to make the abstract more accessible, we introduce the thought experiment of buttons and threads.
A Thought Experiment
Imagine scattering a handful of shirt buttons across the floor. Spools of sewing thread are on hand.
Now, close your eyes and search with your hands randomly until you feel the surface of two buttons.
Tie the two buttons together with your thread.
Repeat this until you feel that most of the buttons are connected.
It will likely take awhile.
An Astonishing Result
Our Hungarian friends came up with an astonishing result in 1960.
They wanted to understand how the collection of disconnected buttons became one big tangle, which they knew would happen eventually if one continued attaching threads to the buttons.
It turns out that the gradual addition of increasing numbers of threads generates a *sudden* transition to a big connected bundle involving most of the buttons.
In science, this is known as a phase transition, and it occurs in a dizzying variety of contexts.
One well-known example is water becoming ice, a phenomenon that occurs suddenly at a very specific temperature.
Water, a liquid, suddenly crystallizes into a solid, ice.
As the water cools, the ordering effect of crystallization prevails over the disordering effect of thermal motion where warm molecules move around more.
Once crystallization starts, it tends to spread.
Graphically, the phase transition that Erdös and Rényi discovered looks like this:
Phase Transition Graph
On the phase transition graph above, the numbers on the vertical axis on the left indicate the percentage of buttons connected into the biggest tangle. The numbers on the horizontal axis on the bottom are directly related to how many threads have been used in tying random pairs of buttons together.
It’s definitely not a straight line!
Not much happens at first when you add threads, but then, there’s a sudden change- the curve rises steeply and you experience a phase transition from most buttons disconnected to most buttons connected.
On the curve above, as you move a little bit to the right, corresponding to adding a few threads, you get a big jump in connectivity. This is what’s going on in the steep part of the graph.
This is a sudden change. This is a phase transition.
What causes this phenomenon of phase transitions?
Dependencies upon dependencies. Cascades of connections. Accumulations of influences. Positive feedback.
I want to introduce the idea that creativity and the relationship between creative practice and creative result is akin to a phase transition leading to epiphany.
The quietly invisible groundwork laid down by a disciplined creativity practice explodes forth one day as its disparate elements knit together, like a seed germinating and pushing forth into the sunlight.
But creative practice only appears to explode forth.
The paradox of this epiphany is that underneath this phenomenon has been a quiet and gradual marshaling of energies.
You cannot jump straight to the epiphany, you have to travel through the “not much going on” part of the creative process first.
This is the nature of the creative life.
The 10,000 Hours
The 10,000 hours is a concept originally described by Anders Ericsson in his 1993 research paper The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance.
Malcolm Gladwell, in his book Outliers, discusses the elements that fuel exceptional human achievement.
It’s a combination of innate talent, luck, and practice. He often mentions Ericsson’s 10,000 hours rule.
However much talent and luck one has, there also seems to be a high correlation of spectacular success with spending hours upon hours at something in order to master it.
For artists, the 10,000 hours concept translates to miles and miles of canvas.
This 10,000 hours is like the flat part of the aforementioned buttons and threads curve.
At first there’s not much to show for all the hours you put into your work. The rewards are delayed but show up in an accelerated fashion later on.
It may not seem fair, but it seems to be how things work.
In order to take your art, your creations, your skills further, you’ve got to hold on through the early phases of development when you feel awkward and don’t see much reward.
It’s grueling.
It can be disheartening.
You face the dark night of the soul, over and over, wondering why you ever said yes to this endeavor in the first place.
This is the moment of greatest despair.
But it’s also the moment pregnant with the possibility of transformation. The transformation of finally trusting yourself even through the dark night, again and again.
Because the dark night will recur, even once you’ve mastered a subject.
Nevertheless, if you hang on and move through self doubt, trusting yourself in your daily practice, you’ll reap the inherent rewards of confidence, joy and moments of ease and creative flow.
You’ll be able to face the moments of self doubt knowing that you can move past it.
The grueling hours of facing disappointment, awkwardness and uncertainty will definitely be worth it in any case.
Does this sound compelling?
Can you imagine activating your most creative and meaningful life?
Can you imagine creating with abandon?
Can you imagine accessing the adjacent possible as you step into the unknown as you create?
Can you fathom that eventually, you’ll reach the moment of acceleration, the phase transition, the moment when your hard work comes together and you experience a sensation of creative flow?
Creativity is central to feeling alive
And it’s calling you.
Will you say YES to your dreams of expressing yourself and living your most creative life?
My new book, The Artist’s Journey: Creativity Reflection Journal is a playfully illustrated creativity journal celebrating your exquisite uniqueness. It comes on the heels of my bestselling, award winning book The Artist’s Journey: Bold Strokes To Spark Creativity.
This self-help journal sparks your imagination with prompts, poetic musings and stories inviting you to reflect on and activate the inner sources of your creativity
Will you say yes to your dreams? Let me know in the comments below.
With gratitude from my studio to yours,
Nancy
Lorraine Willis Book Review- The Artists Journey Creativity Reflection Journal
“Exciting new book from the amazing Nancy Hillis. The Artist’s Journey Creativity Reflection Journal. I was lucky enough to get a sneak preview pre publication at The Artist’s Journey Retreat in October. Here it is in action alongside my sketchbook preparing for a new project. It’s available on Amazon” – Lorraine Willis, Artist
The Artist’s Journey: Creativity Reflection Journal– Nancy Hillis, MD
P.S. If you order my new book, you’ll receive my new Creativity Immersion Program for free in mid February. Learn more at https://www.artistsjourney.com/bigcreativity.
Hello Nancy I already have your journal and find your articles here very inspirational. Also I do have the book St. John of the Cross, so my pull is the way as yours. Warm regards Davina
Thank you so much Davina! I appreciate your kind words and thoughtfulness.
Warmly,
Nancy
Thank you so much for this article, Nancy. Deep and interesting things there.
I have preordered your book from Amazon.fr #404-6670441-129903. Please, enroll me on the free course. It will be so exciting to follow it.
Thank you.
Helena
Thank you so much Helena! Wonderful! I’ll be sure and get in there and I look forward to seeing you in the program!
Warmly,
Nancy
Nancy , thanks for this great article!!! It makes so much sense yet when I’m in the creative process its hard to see the forrest thru the trees. This puts it into wonderful perspective!!
love, lesta
Lesta, thank you so much! I’m delighted that this article helps! There are some fascinating phenomena elucidated by scientists that relate to our experience of creating. Big hugs.
Love, Nancy
I just learned that my copy of the book is on its way ??. I think my head is all the time on fire, blazing or quiet. I prepare 20 paintings for an exhibition and had some problems seeing the harmony between them. And as I was having a coffee with my daughter yesterday the solution just presented itself like that! And the train and bus going home were too slow ?
I cannot wait to get the book!
Love and hugs
Hanne-Lise
Ah dear Hanne-Lise, you’re one of my favorite people on the planet. Wow!!! You experienced an aha akin to a phase transition!!!
I can’t wait to see what you do with the book!
Love and hugs to you, too,
Nancy
Hi Nancy – I have just pre ordered your Journal – Order #206-2492984-0257132
Please enrol me on the free course!
So excited!!
Jeni Caruana, Malta
Hi Jeni! Thank you so much! I’ll let my team know. I can’t wait to see you in the free course!
Warmly,
Nancy
Just finished your Book, Artists Journey…LOVED IT!….closed my book and immediately went online to order your Journal. Read your Epiphany blog, and then had the nice surprise of free training in Feb for folks that pre-order. CAN hardly wait! Thank you Nancy! PS . will be re-reading your book !
Thank you dear Julie! I’m so delighted that you loved my first book so much! Thank you for ordering the Journal!!! Yes! It will be so much fun to get to know you all in the February training. I’m delighted that you’ll be re-reading my book!
Warmly,
Nancy
Hi I want to buy your book. However i have to buy the Kindle version as I have an eye problem that means I can only read the text if I enlarge the font. Could I still be eligible for the C.I. training in February?
Hi Sally,
That’s totally fine Sally. The Kindle version counts to get you into the free C.I. training in February. Thanks so much!
Warmly,
Nancy
thank you Nancy- here is my order number- i look forward to it- I see it as my next step in my artistic journey
Amazon.com order number: D01-3566939-8051410
Hi Sally,
You’re welcome! Wonderful! Thank you for ordering the book! I’ll let my team know. I can’t wait to see you in the free course!
Warmly,
Nancy
I am sorry, but Cannon comment because the Grey text is impossible to read. But I am also 70 so maybe betondæk your main focus of participants.
Hi Susana,
Thanks for letting me know. I’m letting my tech person know and we’ll see if they can fix it to make it higher contrast and easier to read. Thank you for being here.
Warmly,
Nancy
I have preordered Nancy. A besutifully written post. Thankyou.
Thank you Judith! I appreciate your support for the book as well as your lovely and kind comments.
Warmly,
Nancy
Nancy, I preordered from Amazon in November will that qualify me for the C.I. Program? Also, this was a WOW!, post for me! It’s exactly what I have experienced in the last few weeks. Totally speaks to me and thank you so much. It’s like a weight has lifted.
You are so awesome. Thank you so much.
Hi Deborah,
Ah….thank YOU so much! Wow! You made my day with your lovely comment about the post!
Yes, you’ll be in the C.I. Program. Can’t wait to see you in there!!!
Warmly,
Nancy
I am saying yes 2020 is my year to take risk explore even deeper! Love your posts!
Thank you!
Yes, yes, yes Lois!!! I’m so excited for YOU. Thank you so much Lois. I love seeing you in here.
Big hugs,
Nancy
I enjoy your blog posts. Do have a request…I find the pale color or your type to be difficult to read….could you make it a bit darker?
Thankyou.
Thank you so much Pamela. I’ll ask my tech person if she can change the font to darken it.
Warmly,
Nancy
Nancy my daughter just ordered it from Amazon.ca. Am I eligible for your Creativity Immersion program?
Marilene, just go in and put the info in at nancyhillis.com/bigcreativity. I’ll be sure you get in there. You can join in with your daughter.
Warmly,
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
I too ordered your new book from alternative site via Amazon.com.au. My order is #503-1131659-9605429. Not sure if I qualify for the free program too?
Thanks!
Hi Kristine, yes, that is totally fine! Wherever you get the book is fine. I’ll make sure you get in the free program.Thank you so much.
Warmly,
Nancy