Synchronicity is when two events occur in life that seem special and meaningful, even when there is no apparent causal connection between them. Have you ever experienced it?
Synchronicity is when two events occur in life that seem special and meaningful, even when there is no apparent causal connection between them.
One common example of synchronicity is when you are thinking about a specific person, then they happen to call you or message you at the exact same time.
While many only see this event as pure coincidence, others may find meaning in this occurrence. Perhaps it is a sign from the universe that it’s time to connect or catchup with that person?
“Synchronicity” is a concept popularized by psychologist Carl Jung. He believed that one function of a healthy mind was being able to appreciate these illogical connections in daily life to find extra meaning and purpose.
Jung identified 3 main components behind synchronicity:
- Meaningful coincidence – The two events have to be interpreted by the observer as some type of meaningful connection.
- Acausal connection – The two events can’t be explained in a logical or causal way.
- Numinosity – The two events must spur some feeling of spirituality, mystery, or awe.
While synchronicity is often associated with being a religious or spiritual experience, it can also be appreciated on a secular level.
Perhaps synchronicity is the universe or God conspiring to work for you (which is a beautiful thought), or perhaps it is a connection that only exists in your mind. Regardless of the interpretation, it can be motivating and inspiring to experience.
The ability to find odd or bizarre connections in our daily life can be an exciting and uplifting experience that immediately jolts our consciousness.
For example, last week it was my birthday. I’ve been reflecting a lot about all the time that has passed by and if I’m taking advantage of life in the best way possible. I had Chinese food for dinner and opened up a fortune cookie (always a fun experience even if I don’t take them too seriously).
The fortune cookie read, “The good thing about growing old is that it takes a long time.” It resonated with me because 1) It was a funny tautology, and 2) It felt especially meaningful that I received a fortune about age on the exact day of my birthday. Thus, I hung it up on my fridge as a reminder to take my time, be patient, and enjoy life as it unfolds.
Pure coincidence? Maybe, but my mind chose to interpret it as something bigger and I rolled with it.
If I was a very cynical or pessimistic person, I could’ve just as easily thrown out the fortune and brushed it off as random happenstance – but then I would’ve robbed myself of a little extra meaning and happiness.
I often interpret dreams in a similar way. If I wake up and a dream feels meaningful to me, then it’s meaningful to me. I don’t need to question it or rationalize it, I take the meaning at face value (even if it’s a pure act of mind).
Discovering synchronicities in life is all about having the right mindset and being more aware of the many potential connections that exist in our daily lives.
It requires an openness to psychomagic or the “hyper-subjective.” It’s not about trying to confirm something through science or logic (that’s missing the point), but being aware of your unique way of experiencing the world and how your mind interprets it.
I always have the underlying feeling that my life is a complex web of interconnectedness. Synchronicities are always present, the key is just identifying them when they happen.
At least once per week, I experience some type of small synchronicity and I embrace it. Ultimately, it adds another layer to my reality and gives me a richer and more rewarding experience of life.
Earlier this year I was reading more fiction, including the sci-fi book The Foundation by Isaac Asimov. I had just finished it and I was chatting with an old best friend who I only speak to a couple times per year. I asked him what he was currently reading…and he had just started The Foundation.
What are the chances we both happened to be reading the same exact book that was published in 1950, over 70 years ago? Not impossible, but slim. I found the coincidence to be oddly meaningful.
Statistically, rare things happen all the time. The world is such a complex web of factors that something strange or bizarre is bound to happen, even if we can’t predict exactly what it will be.
Again, the key is being open to finding these connections and embracing these little meanings in life.
Synchronicity can take many forms. Common examples include:
- Connecting with the right person at the right time.
- Hearing advice or wisdom exactly when you need it most.
- Reoccurring symbols, words, numbers, or images that resonate with you.
- Dreams that provide clarity or perspective on something currently going on in your life.
- Identifying common themes in books, movies, or TV shows you recently watched.
- Finding someone who went through a similar experience as you did recently.
- Getting a sign that points you in the right direction when trying to make a difficult decision in life.
These events aren’t by themselves an example of synchronicity – the main factor is whether you find the events meaningful to you in a bizarre or strange way.
Of course, our brains are pattern-finding machines. It’s common to find connections and patterns in things even when they don’t necessarily reflect anything in objective reality – like looking up at the clouds and finding shapes or seeing faces on inanimate objects.
While one could chalk up synchronicity as random pattern-finding, we can’t forget that how an experience makes us feel matters too.
Perhaps looking up at the sky and seeing a cloud shaped like a lion isn’t a supernatural experience, but it can still be a rewarding one that we can step back and appreciate. I view synchronicity in a similar way – it doesn’t need to be magic, it’s just an experience we can learn to accept and embrace.
One fun thing to do is create a list of your “synchronicity” experiences and collect them. As your list builds, you may even find synchronicities among the synchronicities.
Again, this isn’t about trying to crack the code of the universe or anything – it’s just about experiencing life in a deeper and richer way – one which will ultimately make you happier and provide a greater feeling of oneness.
Overall, if you observe the universe more closely, you’ll find synchronicities everywhere. When’s the last time you experienced one?
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