Have you ever had a dream, woke, and something that was in it happens in real life? Or how about you’re on the verge of quitting a loathsome job to start a cleaning business and you happen to see a billboard of a cleaning company at the exact moment you’re contemplating making the switch? These experiences are called synchronicity and for many are life-validating moments that point to one being on the right or wrong path in life. But what is synchronicity and can we increase it in our lives? (At the end of this post I’ll share an amazing coincidental dream I had. When I think of it to this day it still amazes me).
The Meaning of Synchronicity?
Synchronicity is a concept developed by psychiatrist Carl Jung, which suggests that events that may appear to be coincidental are actually meaningfully related due to the way they reflect and influence the collective unconscious of human beings. Jung believed that synchronicity was a way for the unconscious mind to communicate with an individual, and that it was an indication that an individual was on the right path in life. For example, if someone has been thinking about a certain person and then unexpectedly runs into that person later that day, Jung might say that this is an example of synchronicity.
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Dr. Bernard Beitman, author of “Meaningful Coincidences,” says, “Throughout human existence, the mystery of coincidences, with the possibility of discoverable causes has fueled human curiosity. Coincidences can offer clues to how reality works because they are hints of explanations not yet considered.” In other words, these experiences can be of great spiritual importance to someone and ignite a renewed sense of connection with the larger universe. Therefore, they can be deeply healing or comforting experiences as they can awaken a sense of childlike wonder within.
There’s a story about Carl Jung and his patient that illustrates this. He’s listening to a patient, someone he’s psychoanalyzing, tell a dream they had about a scarab beetle. He goes to the window and there on the outter pane is a quite similar beetle. This showed him how connected he was with that patient and perhaps that this dream she was sharing was significant.
Some people mix up sychronicity with serendipity. The two are slightly different, though similarly experienced. Let’s define serendipty real quick.
What is Serendipity?
Serendipity is the experience of making a fortunate discovery by accident. It is often used to describe the experience of finding something valuable or delightful that you were not looking for. Serendipity is similar to synchronicity, in that it involves the idea of meaningful coincidences. However, while synchronicity emphasizes the idea that these coincidences are connected to the unconscious mind, serendipity is more focused on the idea of making a fortuitous discovery. For example, if you are looking for a particular book in a library and instead come across an interesting article that you had not been looking for, this could be considered an example of serendipity.
How to Have More Synchronicity and Serendipity
It is difficult to say whether or not it is possible to make synchronicity occur, as the concept of synchronicity is somewhat abstract and there is no scientific evidence that directly supports its existence. However, some people believe that it is possible to increase the likelihood of experiencing synchronicity by being open to new experiences and paying attention to the coincidences that occur in your life. Additionally, practicing mindfulness and being in the present moment may also help to increase your awareness of potential synchronicities. Ultimately, whether or not synchronicity occurs is a matter of personal belief and interpretation.
Dr. Beitman, in his “Meaningful Coincidences” book, teaches that you can increase your connection to synchronistic events by tuning into the emotional landscape of your life, paying attention to patterns throughout your history, and becoming aware that these experiences are likely to occur during very stressful life events.
Funny thing, as I am writing this I literally experienced synchronicity! I’ve been wanting to be a writer for as long as I can remember and to be able to quit my day job to be one. That’s why I started this blog. As I was writing just now, I thought, ‘I wish I could get paid to write and do this for a living.’ Then I happened to check my email while making coffee. There in my inbox from overnight was an invitation for an interview to be a contributor to a local newspaper (I’d applied months ago). Wow, too cool! This definitely encourages me to keep writing!
Dream Connection to Synchronicity & Serendipity
Some people believe that dreams can be connected to synchronicity. Dreams are often thought to be a way for the unconscious mind to communicate with an individual. Carl Jung, who developed the concept of synchronicity, believed that dreams were a source of information about the unconscious mind. He believed that they could provide insight into an individual’s personal growth and development. Additionally, some believe that dreams provide clues about upcoming events or coincidences that may occur in an individual’s life. As such, dreams can be seen as a form of synchronicity. However, this is a matter of personal belief and interpretation.
There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that dreams are connected to synchronicity. But read below for my personal experience with dream-synchronicity pheneomenon. It may open your mind to the idea that there’s so much we don’t yet understand about the nature of the universe!
Is Synchronicity and Serendipity a Spiritual Thing?
Whether or not synchronicity is spiritual is a matter of personal belief and interpretation. Some people may view synchronicity as a spiritual phenomenon. Meaningful coincidences that may be connected to the unconscious mind. Carl Jung, who developed the concept, had an interest in spirituality. However, others may view synchronicity as a purely psychological phenomenon, and may not see it as having any spiritual significance. Ultimately, the question of whether or not synchronicity is spiritual is a matter of personal belief and perspective. I experience these experiences spiritually and feel a deeper sense of guidance and connection when they happen. What about you?
Inherent Downsides to Believing in Such Things?
There is no inherent downside to believing in synchronicity, as belief in this concept is a matter of personal interpretation. Some people may find that belief in synchronicity provides them with a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. They may find that it helps them to feel more connected to the world around them. Others believe synchronicity helps them to better understand their own unconscious mind. It provides them with insight into their personal growth and development.
However, it is also possible that belief in synchronicity could lead to a misinterpretation of events. It can be a potential failure to see the world in a realistic and objective way. As with any belief system, it is important to approach the concept of synchronicity with an open mind. Be willing to question and evaluate your beliefs in light of new information and experiences. Like everything else in life, make up your own mind!
My Personal Experience: A Sychronistic Dream
I think you’ll like this one. 7 years ago, I was a single mother raising a son. I lived in a large two-floor apartment with another single mother and her two boys in Ohio. It’d been over 13 years since I lived at a place called Harbin Hot Springs, a new age retreat and spa center in Middletown, California, above Napa Valley. I’d lived there in my early 20’s, drifting around, exploring ideas and life, not knowing whether I wanted to go to college. It was an amazing place to live and full of wonderful experiences that changed my life. I still draw on those days for inspiration today.
However, I also met with some negative events there that took me a long time to “get over.” After reading the work of Beitman about how stressful, emotionally charged events can be a trigger for synchronicity, I believe this dream was an example of that, as I was still highly tied emotionally to those experiences at Harbin. Here’s what happened:
The Weird Coincidence
I woke from a nightmare on the morning of September 12th, 2015. In it, I was standing in a new age clothing store that had a wall of windows. Suddenly, a very tall woman in robes with short, bright blonde hair came in holding a large burning wheel of fire abover her head. Flames started catching the ceiling on fire. Yelling, I tried to throw water from my water bottle at it but she didn’t care. She stood there like a statue, silently looking through me, keeping her arm up high, holding the burning wheel. There was a sense of panic in trying to find a way to put the flames out.
I woke sweating and crying and wrote it in my journal. I wrote how it felt like Harbin, and how the wall of windows was similar to a room at a yoga studio there. The next night, I dreamed of an old barn burning down. It was full of treasures and antiques. The fire was raging and again I was trying to save it, but it was out of control. I woke again disturbed and highly emotional. Again, I wrote the dream down.
The next day, while I was at my son’s soccer game, my old friend from California called me. I hadn’t talked to her in a long time. She said there was a terrible wild fire in California, The Valley Fire, and Harbin Hot Springs was totally destroyed on the 12th and 13th. The yoga room, the barn, everything. Wild, huh?! Strangely, it was in that barn at Harbin where my bad experience happened.
If you have any neat experiences with Synchronicity or Serendipity, comment below. I love those stories!