Synchronicity: The Strange Science Of Fate

“The world is smaller than you think,” or “the world is small,” are statements that you have probably used or heard before. It is said when a coincidence occurs. A chance encounter with someone you know in a big city can be an example of how fate works. But what if it’s really a science called synchronicity?

Although it may seem inconceivable, researchers have investigated and tried to identify the relationships that exist between two phenomena that outwardly do not seem to be related to each other. For example, we are talking here about people like Carl Jung, who introduced the term “synchronicity.”

“If it happens once, it’s a coincidence. Twice it is a coincidence. Three times the enemy has planned it. “

–Ian Fleming–

What is synchronicity?

Sometimes we think the universe is sending us signals when surprising coincidences happen. But according to Jung, it is just synchronicity, which can be defined as simultaneous occurrences of events, which seem to be significantly related, but which have no immediate causal connection.

In particular, this unique science can be summarized as a series of events (two or more) randomly in time, which, despite being interconnected, do not cause each other. However, there is a relationship between the two.

To make it easier, try to imagine that you have a good friend, and one day while joking with your father, you tell him about your friend, the person’s name, who the person’s family is, etc. Your father thinks carefully about and discovers that you and your friend are distantly related. Your grandfather and your friend’s grandmother were cousins.

As we can see from this example, the fact that you and your friend are distantly related has nothing to do with why you have a friendship or how you got that friendship. Therefore, this is a meaningful coincidence, without any causal connection.

More interesting details about synchronicity

Many writers have researched and talked about this subject without knowing this particular science. For example, according to Friedrich Schiller,  there is no such thing as chance, and coincidence comes from the deepest source of fate. But surrealist Andre Breton considers coincidences to be real when the longing for something in particular converges with what the world has to offer.

According to Jung, we refer to the union of internal and external events when we talk about synchronicity. So the individual who experiences these events finds meaning in the union of both.

In addition to this, we make use of metaphysics to justify these events as it could be chance, luck or maybe even magic. In reality, it’s just a simple case of unconscious attraction. An unconscious attraction that triggers an event – or at least that’s Jung’s opinion. This brings us further to pattern recognition.

The pattern recognition

According to Jung, in the period after a loved one has died, or after a change of workplace, a greater energy can be created for the creation of coincidences. This is about the fact that these situations are the cause of a change within us that drives us to search for recognizable patterns that make sense to our search. Therefore, this sense of recognition that we all seem to have is the basis of synchronicity.

According to studies, we make use of magical thinking when our brain has an elevated level of dopamine, such as in stressful or very emotional situations. But it is this magic or coincidence that is in fact synchronicity.

Nevertheless, there is no reason to demonize the need to look for patterns. It has always been natural for the human mind all the way back to the time of the caveman. Additionally, this way of thinking is associated with a form of depression which may be the reason why one does not feel happy. So in reality, it is an ability that has helped us survive for millions of years.

“I do not believe in coincidences or in needs. My will is my destiny. ”

–John Milton–

Therefore, do not think that chance or fate is something crazy. We are receptive to looking for patterns, and in many cases our brain handles the information unconsciously. But it is a valuable mechanism that helps us make decisions. Maybe there is no such thing as magic or destiny, but it can be beautiful and useful to believe that it is there.