Life is full of patterns, chance encounters and rendezvous. To a skeptic these are just isolated moments in time devoid of meaning. Yet perhaps this is not the case. Some believe everything happens for a reason. You don't have to take it this far; you could reasonably state that some things happen for a reason.
If you run into an friend on the other side of the world once you may call it chance. If it happens two or even three times it may rattle you. You may think you met again for a reason. This is called synchronicity.
Swiss psychologist Carl Jung coined the concept. He proposed that events can be “meaningful coincidences.”
"Synchronicity is the coming together of inner and outer events in a way that cannot be explained by cause and effect and that is meaningful to the observer." - Carl Jung
They are patterns we find in time that hold meaning for our lives. Those subtle moments where things just seem to simply align. The very idea of synchronicity blows our belief of reality out the window. Yet maybe, just maybe, there’s something to it. Jung pondered the concept for a mere twenty years before finally deciding to publish it.
He believed in an underlying field of connectedness. A power at play between us, and the very world we live in.
“Synchronicity is no more baffling or mysterious than the discontinuities of physics. It is only the ingrained belief in the sovereign power of causality that creates intellectual difficulties and makes it appear unthinkable that causeless events exist or could ever exist.” – Carl Jung.
When was the last time you questioned the meaningfulness of a coincidence? Bring one to mind. Estimate the probability of it actually occurring. One in a blue moon? One in a million?
The average human lives for 28,000 days. The chance of those specific circumstances coming together on that specific day are relatively minuscule. The more factors involved the more unlikely it is. So perhaps coincidences are not purely random.
Once you're aware of it, you’ll notice more synchronicities in your life. Here's some examples so you know what to look for.
You were just talking about a song, then it randomly played on the radio.
A vivid dream you had came into fruition.
You were thinking of an old friend, and then they messaged you out of the blue.
You were struggling with a big decision, and then various signs indicated an answer.
You were heartbroken, then shortly after you met the love of your life.
Someone came into your life who was in the same place as you. You have run into this person again and again over the course of your life.
You were talking to a stranger who provided insights into the very thing you were just questioning.
You wanted something more than anything, then it fell through. Shortly after a better option presented itself.
Cynics would argue synchronicity is merely confirmation bias - a tendency to interpret information in a way that confirms ones existing beliefs or desires.
Even if that was the case, it’s still highlighting your subconscious desires and what you really want. Not a bad thing to tap into at all. Of course we’d love to believe some bigger interconnected universe action is at play. That sounds dreamy AF.
If you want to see more synchronicities you have to be open to them. Have a clear idea of what you want in life, this helps you attract what you’re after. But don’t try and control outcomes. Let go of the things that don’t work out, clearly they weren't meant for you.
Believe in the universe's magic, and embrace the mystery. After all, some of the best things in life are unexplainable.