Synchronicity & the hidden meaning of coincidences

At some point in our lives, we’ve all experienced synchronicities – coincidences in which highly improbable events occur. You’re thinking about an old friend that you haven’t seen in years, then receive a phone call from them a few seconds later. You have a sudden, unexplainable urge to visit a place you have never been to, then end up meeting the love of your life. Are such coincidences merely chance or is there something more at work? What do coincidences mean?

To explain such remarkable events, the Swiss psychologist Carl Jung coined the term “synchronicity”, which he defined as:

“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.”

Synchronistic events seem to defy all logic and have no rational explanation by the natural laws of cause and effect. However, due to the fact that they have significance and meaning to the observer – and are often profoundly life changing – synchronicity has long fascinated humankind.

The term “synchronicity” is often used rather loosely as a synonym for coincidence. As in, events that trigger the exclamation “What a coincidence!” or “What are the chances?”

Usually, such coincidences seem to have some kind of inherent meaning – even if we don’t know what it is at the time. They make us scratch our heads and wonder, “Hmmm…”

Such events can be relatively minor occurrences or, in some cases, significant events that alter the entire course of our lives.

Just coincidence or something more?

When synchronicities occur, there is almost always a deeper sense of awareness that is activated. It’s as if something sparks within us.

Fleeting though it may be, something stirs.

And even if for just a brief moment, something awakens…

It’s difficult to deny the sensations and energy one feels when experiencing such events firsthand. Even the hardened skeptic feels something. It may just be a feeling of amusement or curiosity, but still, it’s something.

For some, there is a deeper feeling. A feeling of profound awe.

Perhaps it is because our sense of reality is momentarily knocked off balance. The seeming absurdity of such random, improbable events… Random, yet not…

We can’t help but wonder if there is some kind of meaning behind it all.

An underlying interconnectedness?

“In physics, we are taught that every single particle in the universe has a gravitational effect upon every other particle, no matter how far the particles are separated. This unified effect supports the theories that all events are related, in some way, to each other. Thus it can be said that synchronicity is merely a very personal and subjective observation of this inter-connected universe of which we are but a small part.” – Stephen J. Davis

Science and quantum physics point to the notion that everything in the universe is connected. Providing particular support is Bell’s Theorem.

Proclaimed as “the most profound discovery in science” by physicist Henry Stapp in a 1975 federal report, Bell’s theorem postulates that everything in the universe is connected as an indivisible whole. Experiments based on Bell’s Theorem have shown this to be true and that reality is non-local. Einstein referred to this as “spooky action at a distance”. :-)

Could this universal interconnectedness and “spooky action” be an explanation for synchronicity?

A secret language

In author Paulo Coelho’s view, synchronicity is a secret language. The language of the stars, of the Universe. It is something that guides us and provides us with valuable information. Information that can shape our lives for the better and help us to accomplish our dreams.

“Coincidence is the language of the stars. For something to happen, so many forces have to be put into action. According to the ancient alchemists, and to the physicists of today, everything is just one thing only.” – Paulo Coelho

The idea of coincidences as signs and guidance is a major theme of Coelho’s work, including his best-selling book The Alchemist.

The Alchemist has sold over 65 million copies worldwide in over 160 countries and has been translated into 71 languages. Clearly, there is universal appeal and fascination with synchronicity.

What does it all mean?

While many may be skeptical about unseen forces or unexplainable phenomenon, they will almost certainly experience synchronicities at some point in their lives. Highly personal encounters with some mysterious, hidden world.

There is an air of magic, amazement, and excitement that such unexpected and unexplainable experiences bring. They tickle us with a jolt of energy that, even if for just a brief moment, imparts a sense of wonder… a sense of something more.

And what does it mean?

Is it the guiding hand of a divine force? A reflection of our own minds and thoughts? Or simply a byproduct of an interconnected universe with a purely scientific explanation? And if so, what are the implications of this?

And what about the specific synchronicities and coincidences themselves? Are they signs? Messages? Clues? Do they hold valuable keys to our lives? Can they impact our future? Give us direction?

We explore this in more detail here.

Making Sense of it All

If you’re curious about making sense of the synchronicities and coincidences that appear in your own life, something simple you can do is to start keeping track of them.

Write them down somewhere. Make a note of all the different ways that synchronistic events occur in your life.

Whether it’s a coincidence, dream, feeling, hunch, or inspired idea, capture it somewhere.

Write it all down in a journal, on your computer, or in your phone’s note taking app. Our favorite method is to use the Intuition Journal app, to keep everything in one place, but anything will work.

The main thing is to pay attention and start keeping track.

Little by little, the clues will start to add up and things will begin to make sense.

Try it out and see what you find.

Remember…

Remember, you’re the only one who can make sense of synchronicities and what they mean for you. No one else can tell you. And although things may seem outside of your realm of awareness or understanding, you DO know what all of these things mean.

The key is to be able to tap into your own inner knowing (aka intuition) and discern fact from fiction, truth from wishful thinking, fears, or imagination.

If you’d like some tips on how to do this, you can find them here.

Interested in diving deeper into the fascinating realm of synchronicity? Then check out: The Power of Coincidence: How Life Shows Us What We Need to Know by David Richo or Synchrodestiny: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence to Create Miracles by Deepak Chopra.

Above all, remember:

The answers you seek are all within…

P.S. If you’re feeling confused about something, you might find want to read this: Is it such a bad thing to feel stuck or confused?