Synchronicity or Coincidence?

Synchronicity is a concept, first introduced by analytical psychologist Carl Jung, which holds that events are “meaningful coincidences” if they occur with no causal relationship yet seem to be meaningfully related or the simultaneous occurrence of events that appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection.

I must admit that when I first heard of this Jungian term, it was as a young man listening to the band from Europe called The Police (personally I liked Synchronicity 2). Later on in life, it became apparent to me that the meaning of this word was much more complex than just a song. I guess it really depends on who you talk to. Is it a form of guidance which can predict the future, or is synchronicity just a complex mind illusion? I am not sure, but it is quite clear that there seems to be relatable events that can be mind-blowing. I have had many instances in life where I had coincidences or happenstance moments. I once bought a car (Toyota) and I swear almost every car I saw for the next month was the same kind of Toyota or close to it. One theory is that there are just so many experiences a person can have in life and not have some kind of repeat of it.

In The Structure and Dynamics of the Psyche, Jung describes how, during his research into the phenomenon of the collective unconscious, he began to observe coincidences that were connected in such a meaningful way that their occurrence seemed to defy the calculations of probability. He provided numerous examples from his own psychiatric case-studies, many now legendary.

“A young woman I was treating had, at a critical moment, a dream in which she was given a golden scarab. While she was telling me her dream, I sat with my back to the closed window. Suddenly I heard a noise behind me, like a gentle tapping. I turned around and saw a flying insect knocking against the window-pane from outside. I opened the window and caught the creature in the air as it flew in. It was the nearest analogy to the golden scarab that one finds in our latitudes, a scarabaeid beetle, the common rose-chafer (Cetoaia urata) which contrary to its usual habits had evidently felt an urge to get into a dark room at this particular moment. I must admit that nothing like it ever happened to me before or since, and that the dream of the patient has remained unique in my experience.”

The Scarab represented Self-Generation, Resurrection and Renewal.

Case in point: There was a man visiting Catalina Island who saw a flock of crows perched on a railing. The birds were staring at him strangely (he felt), so he scared them away. A day or so later, a friend of his emailed him an article, out of the blue, about birds. Within the article was a story that detailed crows can recognize faces and hold grudges. Not only that, the photo of the birds in the article was taken by a photographer with the same last name of the guy who scared away the birds and from that day forward, he kept seeing crows and that last name of Chapman.

We know that psychologically the brain is constantly looking for relationship between two points.

For example, when we get on an airplane. We have an uneasy feeling about maybe something could happen, Now, of course, nothing happens and we conveniently forget, until the next time.
Maybe you are suffering with financial problems, money for basic expenses such as rent, food, and utilities shows up. At first you thank the universe or God, then you realize you created this miracle. You are learning to watch how you create and why.

Maybe you have just received your last check from the unemployment office when suddenly a job comes along. Crazy, right? Is this the universe looking out for us?

Another example: A well-known example of synchronicity I heard about involves the true story of French writer, Emile Deschamps. In 1805, he was treated to some plum pudding by Monsieur de Fontgibu. Ten years later, he encountered plum pudding on the menu of a Paris restaurant, and wanted to order some, but the waiter told him the last dish had already been served to another customer, who turns out to be Monsieur de Fontgibu.

In 1832, Emile Deschamps visited a restaurant with a friend and was once again offered plum pudding. He recalled the earlier incident and told his friend that only Monsieur de Fontgibu is missing to make the setting complete. At that moment, a senile Monsieur de Fontgibu enters the room by mistake.

When these things happen, it’s important to be open and receptive no matter what it may be and receive the gift from this universe.

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2018 issue of CHOICES Magazine