DECODING SYNCHRONICITIES (MEANINGFUL COINCIDENCES)

DECODING SYNCHRONICITIES

Interest in meaningful coincidences (synchronicities) appears to be exploding. A synchronicity is different from an 'ordinary' coincidence in that it induces a state of awe in the experiencer.Thus the distinction between a simple coincidence and a synchronicity is the special meaning the synchronicity has for the person who experiences it.

Whereas all synchronicities differ in content they all have a common structure consisting of three components. There is a subjective psychological inner event (A) that is connected or linked to an objective external outer happening (A') that are equivalent in meaning but seemingly linked by no conventional causal principle. The third component is, of course, the linking principle connecting A and A'.It is the failure to adequately explain the link utilizing the conventional law of causality that led Jung to dismiss it and adopt in its place the principle of a-causality (the synchronicity principle).

Enhancing the sense of amazement associated with these events is the exquisite sense of timing of these two component parts. In many cases A and A' appear to happen simultaneously.

For example into my mind apparently for no obvious reason comes the name of a girlfriend of 30 years ago. Just at that moment my phone rings. I pick it up to hear - you know who. Most people would scratch their heads in amazement - me included. Uncanny - you ask - now how did that happen.

For many the question that appears to be of most importance is less how did it happen than what is the meaning of it. Take the following synchronicity as a case in point:

The Rubberneckers synchronicity . . .

So I walked out of my way to see all this hubbub with fire trucks and lights flashing. They narrowly averted a house fire. That’s nice. I keep walking and turn my head to see a truck slow down to check out the scene. "Rubbernecker" is the word that popped into my head. It had a negative connotation to me too because of traffic on the freeway from "rubberneckers" slowing down to check out an accident or whatnot. So right after I think to myself "rubbernecker" I realize that I am rubbernecking (turning my head) to see that rubbernecker. I laugh at myself, then turn to face straight ahead as I walk. The very next thing I see two seconds later is a bumper-sticker for the band "The Rubberneckers." Topic posted by Yahnatan http://synchronicity.tribe.net/thread/3b9e751f-d766-40f0-aff0-99f03b0f7afe#4bb8b68a

The following is my response:

Decoding the Rubberneckers’ Synchronicity

To me what is significant when a synchronicity is experienced is the conscious and or unconscious meaning (s) generated in the experiencer. To do justice you would have to fit the synchronicity into the ongoing flow of your personal experience. My theory indicates that synchronicities are pre conscious markers that a seemingly unsolvable psychological problem has been resolved (a pathway has been created).  But the solution is coded.

Decoding the "hidden" message requires the person to identify some issue that has preoccupied them, whose resolution has seemed illusive at best. Having identified the preoccupying issue - next comes associating to both sides of the synchronicity.

[All synchronicities are different in content but they all have the same structures. There is an inner event A that is somehow linked to an external Event A' that is equivalent in meaning. The link is apparently a causal - or so says Jung which added to the simultaneity factor lends the synchronicity its uncanny 'numinous' coloration. ]

In the present case -  you might free associate to your propensity to go to see what the excitement is about re fires etc, your initial put down of rubberneckers with which you eventually identify, and then the remarkable 'mirroring' of the rubbernecker license appearing to punctuate the realization that you too are prone to observe the very action you initially condemned.

I don't know the person who had this particular synchronicity so I can only guess at the larger issue preoccupying him. At a point in my psychoanalytic treatment I also had a compulsion to go wherever excitement would lead such as fires, ambulance chasing and the likes. I also realized that in so doing it would often produce fear. It never occurred to me to consider not going until I had a realization that once on a given path that seemed "wrong" I could choose to double back or veer away. I imagine something like that was going on in the man who had this particular synchronicity. Of course this is pure conjecture on my part - like analyzing another person's dream. To be "objective" requires  the dreamer to voice his own associations which become the most important determinants in any dream interpretation. The same principle holds for decoding the hidden "message in a given synchronicity.

My theory of synchronicities indicates that the new pathway marked by the synchronicity in question results in a significant shift of attitude which is often experienced as an expansion of consciousness. So if I am right these occurrences are not small potatoes but important psychological events.

Viewed in this light, these occurrences  have nothing mystical or magical about them - even though it is understandably seductive to believe that they do - but more wondrous is the implied creative process which has apparently produced them.

So if this approach to understanding synchronicities has a ring of truth - start a journal of whatever ideas, events, experiences deemed important by you. When a synchronicity occurs date it and observe the context in which it is embedded. The decode it as if it was a waking dream.

I predict that for those who give this approach a try you will be richly rewarded for your efforts.

Sweet synchronicities.

 

Tags: synchronicities, meaningful coincidences, decoding synchronicities, an exploding interest in coincidences

To Groups: Psychology in Life, Free Thinking, SYNCHRONICITIES -

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[Robert Perry]

Very interesting. I too work seriously with synchronicity. My experience has been that most of mine consist of two external events, which of course doesn't fit Jung's model. Based on my experience, I would question confining the phenomenon to an internal event and an external one. I have written up a recent example of a synchronicity of mine, if you're interested, on a forum for an upcoming film on synchronicity. The site is www.synchronicityfilm.com/forum. My post is under "theories." And by the way, good luck with your book!

[Teapots Happen]

Interesting ... I tend not to try to decode synchronicities, but I don't think they are meaningless either - rather I am coming to think they are indicative of our minds accessing information seemingly inaccessible - removed by time or space, or from another person's mind ... however, I can see that many of my synchronicities fit with your general theory very well - I struggle with leaving behind a faith in pure reason for navigation of reality, and try to open myself up to intuition, faith, and well, magic, pretty much ... but I fall into doubt, and then get smacked with coincidences that remind me that the universe is, indeed, amazingly interconnected ... thanks for your writing!