"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.
