"We have tried scientifically to understand the world and explain its mysteries by analyzing the
smallest smallest particles of things that exist, and that's given us a certain understanding, but
only half of the understanding. Now most people are brought up to be tone deaf in respect to their
own existence and the rest of the universe. They don't see the relationships, they are not aware
of the unity. Once you you spot that, then you may be said to be living a harmonious life."
He wasn't the first to say this, but psychologist Carl Jung believed that the so-called scientific
view of the world misses something very important about the nature of our lives.
In his famous essay "Synchronicity: an acausal connecting principle,"
he describes an example where a train ticket is somehow found to have the exact same number
as a theatre ticket which is bought immediately afterwards. Later that same number is found again,
this time as a telephone number. It's a series of events that seems so improbable, so unlikely to
happen, that none of them can be connected by our usual understanding of cause and effect. They can
only be connected by meaning. This is what Carl Jung referred to as synchronicity, which happens
when an inner state of the mind is connected in a meaningful way to something in the outside world.
And as it joins these two realities, it also hints at the possibility that there's no real definitive
separation between ourselves in the world around us. Because the more we learn about each other the
more we find commonalities. Maybe we lived in the same city, or went to the same school, or maybe we
shared the exact same dream. And when we discover these things, we're no longer strangers. It's
here, as we come to know each other that we find that much like ripples on the surface of a pond,
we've always been joined. Connected in ways that by all logic we can't explain. What's striking
about synchronicity is that it has what Jung calls a numinous quality. A deep sense of wonder
and mystery, and when it happens we feel something truly transcendent deep within. In what might be
his most famous example, Jung describes a patient who had a very rationalistic attitude to life
that made it hard for her to embrace change. It felt like a mental block keeping her from moving
forward. At this critical moment in her life, she had a vivid dream where she was given a piece
of jewelry shaped as a golden scarab beetle. Just as she was telling Jung about her dream,
he heard a gentle tapping on his window. He turned around and saw a flying insect tapping
against the glass from the outside. He opened the window and caught it as it flew into the room;
it was a scarab beetle. He handed it to her and said "here is your scarab beetle from your dream."
The timing of these events was so astonishing that it started a process of deep inner transformation
within the patient, opening her up to the wonders of her life. A kind of psychic renewal that would
have been impossible if she'd held on to her rigidly scientific view of the world. What's
interesting is that the scarab beetle is a classic symbol of transformation and rebirth in Egyptian
mythology. How strangely appropriate then that she would see the symbol now at exactly the moment of
change in her own outlook. Synchronicities have a way of showing you exactly what you need to know
to trust in the organic unfolding of your life. To find that people don't come into your life
by accident. That the universe is whispering to you all the time, and if you're receptive to it,
it can steer you towards a happier more authentic way of being. Implicit in all
of this is the understanding that what's meant to be yours is already finding its way to you.
When you look back and connect the dots, it's revealed that it was never truly random at all.
"You can't connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards. So you
have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something;
your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever, because believing that the dots will connect down the road
will give you the confidence to follow your heart even when it leads you off the well-worn path.
And that will make all the difference."
Carl Jung believed that synchronicity is an ever-present reality for those who have eyes
to see. They're happening to us all the time but we don't always stop to see them. Here are
some guidelines and techniques that I've used to notice them more often. The first is practicing
mindfulness. To stay present and pay attention to the moments of your life. In a world increasingly
filled with distraction, this is easier said than done. But practices like meditation
can help with this. This isn't just good for noticing synchronicity,
it's also great for your mental health. I like to take time out in my day to check in. You can start
by giving yourself a few moments of undistracted quiet time throughout your day, where you let
yourself disconnect from the noise of the everyday world, which brings a sense of calm,
a shift in energy, and a feeling of stillness. All of which is great for noticing synchronicity.
The second thing I like to do is to keep a journal, making a note of interesting things
that happen to me throughout the day, and noticing which of those things becomes meaningful. As you
take the time to write down personal messages and signs you find in the events of your life,
you can uncover amazing insights. Your journal can also include thoughts you have about your past.
And as you remember the important events of your life, think about any meaningful
coincidences that happened around those events. What messages were trying to come through? You
can also think about the things that changed the direction of your life. It could be a compelling
insight that came to you very suddenly, or a more gradual shift that led you to where you are now.
Maybe it was a person who was important to you, or an event that was significant in your life.
Whatever it was, think about how it guided you towards a better and more fulfilling path.
My suggestion is that you don't necessarily have to focus on every little coincidence that happens
to you, but pay special attention to those moments where you had a strong synchronicity, because
those are the ones with the power to direct you towards your deeper purpose and your highest good.
Here are some clues that you've had a powerful synchronicity experience:
you might feel a strong sense of wonder and awe. What Jung called "numinosity." These tend to have
a spiritual and revelatory quality. They can feel transformative. You might feel momentarily like
a message has been sent to you; a message that completely interrupts your usual train of thought,
and takes you out of your ordinary life. It can feel like something more than just cause
and effect has happened, giving you a sense of connectedness with the people in your life
or with the universe itself. A sense of personal destiny or feelings of confirmation about the path
you've chosen. Synchronicities are often joyful but they can also be found in moments of pain and
trauma. It's said that your wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful parts
of who you are. The third thing I like to do if i'm having trouble noticing synchronicity is to
simply ask for a sign to enter into my life. You might find that in moments where you're dealing
with a tough situation or thinking about giving up, asking for a sign can give you confirmation
that you're on the right path. Giving you the strength and resilience to keep going. If you
do this, be open to how a sign might manifest in your life, and then be receptive to it without
expecting it to happen right away. Give yourself the space to fully absorb whatever it might be.
So after you've noticed them, how do you figure out what your synchronicities mean?
Jung emphasized that synchronicity is meant to be interpreted from the subjective viewpoint of the
person experiencing it. In other words, your own intuition and personal meanings are what decide
what they mean to you. The most useful lessons and messages you gain from your synchronicities will
come from your own unique experience. There's no definitive formula for how to do this,
but here are some guidelines that have worked well for me. First open up your intuition and notice
what stands out to you most in your experience of the synchronicity. Usually one or two elements
will stand out to you very clearly. They'll resonate and seem more relevant to your life.
Once you've found one or two elements that stand out, pay attention to their symbolic meanings.
For example when Jung's patient dreamed of a scarab beetle, he looked at the symbolic meaning
of the beetle itself which is a sign of rebirth and transformation. Jung used a technique called
"amplification" where he looked at the symbol and compared it with the images and meanings found
in myth and culture. Jung believed that there are many enduring symbols that are universal. They
hint at a kind of ancestral and universal pool of memory. Images and ideas that we can all tap into.
He called this the "collective unconscious," which we looked at in this video. The collective
unconscious is made up of powerful ancient symbols that he called "archetypes." We find them in every
society and culture in the world. We see it in expressions like the great mother, the hero,
and the trickster. Secondly, once you've looked at the archetypal meaning and symbolism, look
at the personal associations you have with that symbol in your own life. Again if we're using the
scarab beetle example, what personal experiences or memories do you have with beetles in your past?
Maybe you can remember catching them in a jar as a child. Maybe your grandmother had a beetle statue
in her home. Looking at personal meanings can reveal all kinds of interesting connections
and offer clues into what they might mean for you. Repetition is also an important clue. If you
find that a symbol keeps appearing over and over again in your life, that's worth paying attention
to. Maybe it's an object you keep seeing. A name that keeps coming back to you, or a certain phrase
that keeps coming up again and again. Be alert to what this repetition might mean. Thirdly,
if you're having trouble figuring out the meaning of your synchronicity that's okay. It might still
be in the process of revealing itself to you. Make a note of it in your journal and file it away for
later. The meaning of what happened to you might not become clear until some time has passed.
Come back to it when you're more able to reflect and connect the dots. If you do have a powerful
synchronicity experience, one of the best ways to honor that is to share it with other people.
Many of us have astonishing synchronicities in our lives but then keep it to ourselves.
Maybe we're afraid that people will dismiss us as crazy or woo. But the thing is,
no matter what you do there will always be people who dismiss your experiences
anyway on pretty much any topic you can imagine. But sharing your experience with others can open
you up to even more amazing connections that would be impossible if you kept them private.
In the next video we'll look at how you can understand your own personal story
in an even deeper and more profound way, in what Joseph Campbell called the "hero's journey." If
this video is available you'll see it appearing on the left side of your screen. If it's not yet
available, I think you'll like the video appearing on the right side of your screen. Do you have your
own tips or techniques for finding meaning in your synchronicities? Let me know in the comments. And
I'd love it if you left a comment with a beetle emoji, that way I know how many people watched
to the end. If you liked this video please show your support by pressing the like button.
As always thanks so much for watching, take care of yourselves, and i'll see you in the next video.