Carl Jung and Synchronicities

How many times do you think of someone and the next second the phone rings and it is that person? How often do you remember someone who is no longer alive and then their favorite song comes on the radio...or you have a dream and a symbol from the dream appears the next day at your breakfast table? Or you repeatedly see the same sequence of numbers over and over again...?

I didn't realize that it was Carl Jung that coined the term "synchronicity" to describe “a meaningful coincidence of two or more events where something other than the probability of chance is involved.” Jung believed that these occurrences are directly related to the observer’s mind, and serve to provide powerful insight, directions and guidance, according to Alec in his newsletter Arts of Thought.

I for one feel that synchronicities come at me all the time these days and although I often chalk it up to mere coincidence, I do wonder deeply and am beginning to believe that there is something much more to it... I try to pay special attention to these events when they do happen and feel somehow that, like dreams, they lead me to a shift in consciousness that connects in a bigger way to the universe...they also give me comfort...They say that seeing these signs is a good indication that one is shifting to a higher vibrational frequency and evolving into a more fulfilled version of oneself. I would like to think that is true...

Here is a twelve minute crash course on synchronicities. Stick with it if you can in order to hear the absolutely amazing story of Esther and the $1 bill...If you want to hear more personal stories, here are some more examples of people's stories about synchronicities.

"Synchronicity is the sense of the numinous--a powerful feeling of wonder and awe that lifts us outside of ourselves, taking us outside of the everyday routine of our lives and connecting us with the divine."--Carl Jung

I welcome any of your synchronicity stories--things that have occurred to you that you consider more than a coincidence--I would even go a step further and say that if you email me your stories at pamsmilow@me.com and include the names and emails of three friends who you think would want to receive my free weekly blog in the future (please warn then first), I will send you a free animal print of your choice from my website as a thank you.

Meditation

I am no expert on meditation. In fact I am a total beginner but I thought I would share with you the meditation I try and do every day. It is one led by Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey, where they pick different themes and explore it in a 21 day series. Some of these series are available free on youtube in segments and the one I am doing now is on Perfect Health. (they have had series on gratitude, getting unstuck, and the energy of attraction, to name a few). What I like about these meditations is that both Oprah and Deepak offer a short beginning introductory talk, where they speak about something useful to work on, and then they present a sanskit mantra and then complete silence for the next ten minutes or so. I personally don't like guided meditiatons where they talk all the way through--I find it distracting. I am not even sure I am doing it right but I just sit there, try and push any thoughts that come in out of my mind, say the mantra over and over and try and focus on the ever changing blankness of the colored screen behind my eyelids... The whole process takes about 20 minutes or less...and I do it once or twice a day...

Alexandria Ocasio Cortez

Official Portrait, courtesy ***Franmarie Metzler; U.S. House Office of Photography***

After seeing Mitch McConnell freeze twice in the past month or so on television, I had a new revelation that our government is truly being run by corpses--people well past their prime that should not be clinging on to the power for the sake of their egos...I have nothing against older people--i am one myself--but it is time to introduce a new guard. Thankfully there are some of these younger people stepping up right now and they need to be supported.

Alexandra Ocasio Cortez is one of these people--and already elected for the third time, she is becoming a young old timer...From waitress to congresswoman from New York's 14th congressional district which includes the eastern part of The Bronx and part of north-central Queens, AOC, as she is known, recently gave an interview in the New York Times where she talks about what she has learned since entering congress. I found the interview interesting and I hope you will too.

In the future, I plan on featuring a few more of our up and coming young leaders...

Painting of the Week

Blue Bird at Midnight with Moon mixed media on canvas 18” x 80”

Charity of the Week:
Unicef: Morocco Earthquake Victims

About The Author

New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow, began writing the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by the Hammond Museum's Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.