Synchronicity
The Oxford dictionary describes “synchronicity” as “the simultaneous occurrence of events which appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection.”
Wikipedia has a longer definition: “Synchronicity (German: Synchronizität) is a concept first introduced by analytical psychologist Carl G. Jung “to describe circumstances that appear meaningfully related yet lack a causal connection.”[1] In contemporary research, synchronicity experiences refer to one’s subjective experience whereby coincidences between events in one’s mind and the outside world may be causally unrelated to each other yet have some other unknown connection.[2] Jung held that this was a healthy, even necessary, function of the human mind that can become harmful within psychosis.[3]“
As a Bipolar 1 woman who was not diagnosed, let alone medicated, until I was 28 years old, my life was full of synchronicity. I was working as a clerk in Columbia University libraries, cataloging art books. My family did not “believe” in psychiatry nor in mental illness. I kept everything secret from them until I could no longer, when I had my breakdown at age 28. At that point I went for emergency care to the Columbia Counseling Service and was told to stay with my family for a week or go to hospital. I was lucky enough to be able to go to my parents for a week . I had begun therapy with the psychiatrist I would wind up staying with until age 74. But at the time I was all alone. I had a best friend from grammar school who was living in France at this time. She and I corresponded every week. We remained close until she died at age 39. I had a few friends at work, but I lived alone and was isolated. And I became psychotic at times. Synchronicity ruled my life. Parts of a song on the radio, or a program on the TV, a man singing in the street… they all had special messages for me. I thought of people in the street as “teachers” for me to learn from and the people who worked with me, as “mystics,” who understood me, and who were trying to train me.
It was exhilarating when the teachers were happy with my progress but terribly depressing when I did wrong. There were “signs” for me to interpret all over the place. And at work, I regarded every book I catalogued as something that held secrets to help me get mentally well or learn truths about life. I would do my job faithfully, most of the time, but while doing it, I was on the constant look-out for special messages meant for me. I did what I called “readings”. I would find some lesson in each book. One book I was working on held a special secret about the womb and the egg and the sperm uniting and becoming a zygote. I pictured the uniting of the egg and the sperm as fireworks. (Thirty years later, saner and married and actively creating art, and, writing a newspaper column upstate on the side, I created an abstract photograph called “Conception”.) But in the library, I did what I called “time travels.” I didn’t talk to people much during this period. I listened to co-workers and street people, read extensively and deciphered messages. People would come up to me at work to actually talk to me sometimes, to be nice, I guess, and I would leave the world of the womb, and zygotes or some such thing, and talk to them normally as if I were in their world. I was not!!
In other words, to put it in professional terms, I was WACKO!
That is all behind me now and fortunately, though I have had some hard times, but they have occurred within the realm of a marriage, to be 35 years long this May. It has offered me the only stability and deep love in my life. Gone is the world of readings and messages. Gone is the synchronicity. Sometimes I miss it but not the craziness that went with it. Now I have more meaningful, everyday experiences of sanity. There are still some epiphanies, but not like the old days.
Before I close I must add, there was at least one incident that was truly synchronicity… that was not delusional… that felt distinctly like a message from God, the Universe. I was working at my desk and suddenly my scalp felt prickles all over it. I grew alarmed and so decided to go to the reference room for one of my “readings.” Clearly this warranted research. I went to the Reference Room of the library and found a one volume encyclopedia which I pulled off the shelf. In order for the reading to give answers impartially, I had to open it at random and then put my finger on the page. So that’s what I did whilst my scalp prickled. My finger pointed to a picture. It was a print of Christ with a crown of thorns. I was stunned. I felt like it was a message from God. And to this day I think it was. It was a message of hope and love.
Yesterday I wrote to a fellow blogger, Anneta Pinto-Young, at Devotionalinspirations.com, who is a Social Worker and a Christian Minister and recounted this story briefly in response to her post on coincidences in her series on “Hearing God Speak.” She told me something very wise. She said that religion and science have always clashed over these type of things. Sure, I was delusional for much of the time, but I did have occasional experiences like this one. And, she said, that was God sending me a message of his love and encouragement. I felt that then and I feel it today.
Maybe I don’t need the secret messages any more. God’s word comes through friends now and most definitely through my long-suffering husband.
What can I say but look out for synchronicities and see what message there is for you.
MOONSIDE 
My recent “goosebumps’ kind of experience with synchronicity involved a dream about an old school friend, who now lives halfway across the world from me, I have not seen her for at least a decade and our communication from last several years is only restricted to a short text, of a brief Birthday wish twice a year, on our mutual birthdays.
One early Saturday morning, I had quite a vivid dream about being in a kitchen, cooking together with her. I woke up wondering how/why I saw her, having not thought about her at all, in many months. Within 2 hours of that, my phone was ringing and it was her calling me (we NEVER call each other). That itself was shocking to me, considering I was thinking about her at that moment!
I answered very surprised, and she mentioned that she was travelling and was visiting the city where we had last met many years ago (she had visited me in 2012, we had cooked together in my kitchen at that time), so she has been remembering me, and how we had cooked together that time. I mentioned to her in shock that I saw exactly what she was remembering, in my dream that morning, as I felt goosebumps all over! Now this place is in Europe, where I was living then and she was visiting me. Both of us live in different continents now, across oceans. But somehow, the time she was thinking about our last meeting was the exact time I was dreaming about it!
I should add that this was one of those special nights, where I had meditated for a few hours, until the time I went to bed, and the meditation was particularly deep. So I have interpreted this coincidence due to my being in a state of some sort of altered consciousness that night. Nevertheless, I was very surprised and found it strangely exhilarating! I suspect the Reality of our universe is far more mysterious than we can easily comprehend.
LikeLiked by 2 people
March 9, 2024 at 11:46 PM
Exhilarating indeed! Thank you for sharing your extraordinary experience! Yes, a form of “synchronicity,” or perhaps a sharing of consciousness.🙏🏽
LikeLiked by 2 people
March 10, 2024 at 4:46 PM
This is immense, beyond words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 10, 2024 at 3:19 AM
Thank you, dear Tiramit. Thank you so much for your comment. And for understanding. That is immense to me.🙏🏽
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 10, 2024 at 1:08 PM
Messages are there from the God, true…whether Synchronicity or not. We must know how to decode them. My best wishes to you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
March 10, 2024 at 4:24 AM
Thank you so much, JM! 🙏🏽 You’re right. Good wishes sent back to you. I am grateful for your response to what I knew would be a difficult post. 🙏🏽
LikeLiked by 2 people
March 10, 2024 at 1:06 PM
Very interesting, Ellen. Your candour is captivating.
LikeLiked by 3 people
March 10, 2024 at 6:08 AM
Thank you very much, Ronnie. Most people wouldn’t even ‘”like” my post, let alone reply. I appreciate your always championing the underdog. You’re very kind.
LikeLiked by 2 people
March 10, 2024 at 1:03 PM
I do champion the underdog, but you are not an underdog. A lot of people do not have the courage to be as open as you are.
LikeLiked by 3 people
March 10, 2024 at 3:28 PM
I certainly do not think of myself as being courageous in any way. But as far as being open goes, at the end of one’s life, if not now, when? And I find you courageous in your postings that are not in any way self-referential. That’s a pure form of courage in my eyes.
LikeLiked by 2 people
March 10, 2024 at 3:40 PM
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Ellen. The experience with the Crown of Thorns really does seem as if it was pointing to new life and hope. How wonderful that this useful type of synchronicity was preserved, while the distracting and unhelpful type retreated. 🙌❤️
LikeLiked by 4 people
March 10, 2024 at 11:15 AM
Thank you for tackling a difficult post. Most have ignored or rejected it. You were one of the ones who stuck by me. That means a lot!! You are a very good soul.
LikeLiked by 3 people
March 10, 2024 at 1:01 PM
One of the most generous things a human being can do is share the truth of her vulnerability. You are doing this with honest and compelling writing like this. One day the wall of silence surrounding mental illness will crumble. You are helping chisel cracks in it. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 11, 2024 at 10:21 AM
Dear Julie, Thank you so much for your kind words. I am glad you found it compelling. And thanks for saying I am making cracks in the wall. The very thing I want to do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 11, 2024 at 8:35 PM
Thanks for sharing your experiences, Ellen. Having a diagnosis is so important to those who deal with a condition that puts them out of sync with their families, communities, and expectations.
LikeLiked by 3 people
March 10, 2024 at 2:34 PM
Thank you, Cheyenne, for your thoughtful comment. It says a lot and means a lot.🙏🏽
LikeLiked by 2 people
March 10, 2024 at 3:14 PM
God doesn’t play hide and seek with us–I believe He was very intentional about connecting with you in His love. I’m sorry your early days weren’t affirmed in your need. There’s something so challenging in being in the middle of struggles and not having anyone understand or listen. I applaud your bravery and strength. And Thomas has been a gift from the Lord for these 35 years–congratulations to you both.
LikeLiked by 4 people
March 10, 2024 at 4:58 PM
Thank you very much, Dayle, on all counts… for your understanding and compassion. Yes, Thomas has been the best gift ever in terms of the material world. We haven’t quite made 35… a month and a half to go. More than I ever thought I would get in life. Thank you again for your generosity.
LikeLiked by 2 people
March 10, 2024 at 7:20 PM
Thank you for sharing this story of yours, Ellen. I believe it was God who sent that message when felt your scalp being pricked. It was a sweet message for you. And I’m glad everything turned out fine for you. Much much love to you, Ellen. 🤗🩷
LikeLiked by 3 people
March 10, 2024 at 6:37 PM
Thank you so much, Adelheid❣️ Yes, it was a sweet message and I never forgot it. Love to you for your thoughts❣️
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 10, 2024 at 7:22 PM
Hey Ellen. I echo what everyone said and applaud your bravery in being so honest and open. I appreciate your reference to my series on Hearing God speak. I understand how some people may view this as coincidences, but from reading the bible, it explains the voice of God and the things of God. The bible is a great guide to explain when we may be hearing God or when it is fear speaking, which comes from another source of darkness. I can only imagine how difficult your life was earlier on and now that led to some of the challenges that you had. Thank God that you were blessed with a husband who provided years of stability for you. You are blessed and truly loved by God. 🙏🏾❤️
LikeLiked by 3 people
March 11, 2024 at 4:07 AM
Oh, Annetta, I am so glad you liked the post and that you were okay with me referring to your blog. Your blog on coincidences gave me the idea to write my post. Thank you so much also for your understanding. Thanks for visiting and for some “likes.” My husband is a retired psychiatric social worker and he did religious studies, too. As for the honesty part, I am an old lady… time to speak your mind, but thank you! Amen!❣️
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 11, 2024 at 8:28 PM
Wow. 😮 Amazing job your husband did all those years and added such a blessing to others. ❤️🙏🏾❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 12, 2024 at 5:16 AM
Yes, he was such a blessing to so many. As I am sure you are to your clients!🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 12, 2024 at 10:35 AM
I also am impressed by your bravery and strength. That “scalp moment” is one that definitely resonated with me. Message received!
LikeLiked by 2 people
March 11, 2024 at 12:06 PM
Really… did you have a similar experience? Thank you very much for your words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
March 11, 2024 at 9:14 PM
Ellen, I appreciate you for sharing your story in a raw and authentic way. I know, through my son, how isolating these brain disorders can be.
I’m completely open to messages from God and miracles along the way. Sending love.
LikeLiked by 3 people
March 17, 2024 at 3:00 PM
Thank you so much, Crystal. What disorder does your son have? I didn’t know from your posts. How are you? Yes, good to be open to messages from God and miracles. Sending love right back to you. ❤️🙏🏽
LikeLike
March 17, 2024 at 3:11 PM
Hi Ellen! I really thought I responded here. My son has paranoid schizophrenia. I’ve written about it on my About Me page with other posts scattered through the blog. ❤️🙏🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 14, 2024 at 7:51 PM
I am sorry. I somehow missed the posts. Very sorry!
LikeLike
April 14, 2024 at 8:35 PM
It’s okay, Ellen. I have over 300 posts, and I haven’t written about my son as much in recent years. I’m not sure they are my stories to tell.
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 14, 2024 at 8:39 PM