from The Chrome Metaphor
This chapter delves into the fascinating realm of meaningful coincidences, a phenomenon that transcends cultural boundaries, belief systems, and historical eras. Drawing from double blind stories, literature, and mathematics and personal accounts, the chapter explores the idea that humans play a pivotal role in imbuing events with significance, and it delves into the modern computational model of the mind to illuminate how we infuse meaning into our lives. These synchronicities are not mere chance but are actively shaped by the individuals who perceive them. "Faithful to Our Errors" invites readers to recognize their innate ability to craft the events that surround them, positioning them as conscious co-creators of their own reality. Through a captivating journey that merges the realms of contemporary physics and age-old mysticism, the chapter unveils the miraculous workings of the human brain, shedding light on latent capacities that have always existed within us but remained enigmatic until now. In essence, it offers a profound exploration of the intricate interplay between mind and reality, empowering readers to harness their innate potential to shape the world around them.
At the heart of our existence lies the mystery of synchronicity, a remarkable human capacity connecting us to the cosmos. It's the extraordinary ability where our thoughts, feelings, memories, and experiences manifest as uncanny coincidences in the world around us. This power isn't unique; it is shared by all. We live in a reality where our thoughts and emotions resonate as synchronous events.
This isn't science fiction or fantasy; it is accessible, tangible in the world you currently inhabit. This seemingly magical ability often remains concealed and misunderstood. However, it's no illusion, no conjuring trick. And remarkably, it is also the foundation of many myths about magic. Synchronicity is the alignment with the latent forces we possess.
If the idea of exploring your own mind doesn't captivate you, feel free to skip this chapter. But if the prospect of journeying into the world of synchronicity intrigues you, despite the absence of certainty, stay tuned in.
In my earliest conscious encounter with synchronicity, I was fourteen years old. My family had taken a trip to Hungary, where my grandparents had fled during the violence of the 1956 Hungarian Student Revolution. This trip was a poignant reminder of the harrowing past my ancestors endured. Their trials, which ranged from Stalin's cruel distribution of sawdust-laden bread to Hitler's horrific deportation of 440,000 Jews, primarily to Auschwitz, were etched in our family's history. My own grandfather, born in a Jewish enclave, was given up as an orphan, a fate intimately tied to the crucible of that era.
Before our arrival in Budapest, we rode by train to my ancestral village, where they held an annual celebration. This town was renowned for its skilled woodworkers. During Attila the Hun's menacing invasion, the citizens, in a display of both resourcefulness and cunning, crafted eerie demonic masks and fashioned stilts and large wooly coats. Along the banks of the river, they would stand, their masks painted a vivid blood-red, eyes wild and untamed, vocalizing primal roars that sent shivers down the spines of Attila's army, prompting them to retreat in fear.
The men and women of this quaint town swarmed the idyllic cobblestone streets during the celebration. Adorned in masks that mirrored that of their ancestors, they bellowed across the river, the intensity of their cries reverberating through the air. The gongs they struck and the swords they brandished were symbolic echoes of a history both dark and resilient.
We stayed with Istvan Salga, a ninety-nine-year-old woodworker who had transformed not one, but five entire trees into chain links. His home was adorned with two room-sized reliefs: one depicting the Nazi "liberation" of the town, and the other illustrating the Communists liberating it from the Nazis. These intricate carvings reminded me of the biblical verse Matthew 22:21, "Then render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's."
Istvan, who had suffered the loss of many family and friends during the wars, chose a different path. Amid a world divided by violence and allegiances, he remained faithful to the art of woodworking, honoring his heritage through masks and reliefs. It was this decision that he attributed to his remarkable longevity.
Such thoughts accompanied me on the train journey to Budapest. The endless sunflower fields outside the window marked the transition from the sacred to the profane. In the city of more than a million and a half people, where I didn't speak the language and had only a few forints in my pocket, my parents surprisingly granted me the freedom to explore.
I took two trains to a park, where I encountered a group of girls who led me to an ice cream store. When they departed, I found myself lost. I realized that I had no idea where I was, where we were staying, who to ask, or what to do. And in that moment a rush of fear and adrenaline washed over me so intensely that I thought I would collapse.
In midst of my panic attack, an unexpected voice called my name: "Christopher?" A strange woman reached into her purse and produced a photograph of me and my parents. She gestured me into the immediate alley. With reluctance, I followed, and behind a grimy door, I discovered my parents, seated at a table enjoying potato paprikash with unfamiliar relatives. They seemed unphased that I was there, and never asked me how I found them without knowledge of their plans, a map, or frankly, any information whatsoever. I stared over their heads at my bewildered reflection in a mirror, and wondered whether this was the work of God or chance, grappling with the odds of such an encounter. This enigmatic event left an indelible mark on me, ultimately motivating me to become a Mental Health Specialist for the U.S. Army. While similar situations have unfolded in my life since, none have resonated as profoundly as that initial experience.
I was raised to believe that God would always protect me. And for many years, that was sufficient. Until I went to war. The God I believed in stayed there in Iraq. Yet, the synchronicities returned home with me. So, I read Jung. I learned that he wrote of synchronicities late in his career, and was never fully satisfied with his theory. Most psychoanalysts treat his words as scripture. Ironic, as I consider the Holy Book itself unfinished and outdated. This led me to any and all possibilities of finishing a nearly-perfect theory on life’s greatest question: what is this voice that talks to us through time and experience?
That is when I was made aware of a licensed psychologist in California named Dr. Kirby Surprise. He also possesses master's degrees in Transpersonal Psychology and Advanced Psychodynamic Studies. His current role involves working within the California correctional system, where he assesses, diagnoses, and treats severely mentally ill patients. Essentially, his professional responsibility revolves around reality testing and evaluating the effectiveness of others' reality assessments—a somewhat ironic endeavor given his fascination with synchronicity.
The following is a sample of the transcript from an interview Dr. Kirby Surprise had with Greg Moffatt on August 2, 2013. The excerpt has been edited for clarity. "When I was an undergraduate student, I had been meditating for many years. Suddenly, there was an explosion of synchronistic events around me. I had no experience with them, never heard of Carl Jung, and no one had taught me that such coincidences were possible. Naturally, I initially thought I'd had a schizophrenic break, that reality was coming apart. After I stabilized, I found myself in a situation where I experienced dozens of strange synchronistic events daily, with no explanation.
One day, I dropped a friend off at a college in upstate New York. It was a blustery fall day. I was waiting for about an hour in the car, parked facing a cottage about 50-75 yards away. On the radio, there was an ad for the movie 'Carrie,' a Stephen King film about a girl who discovers the power to move objects. As a psychology student, I wondered how it would feel to move objects and its psychological impact. We rely on interacting with our environment, so what if you didn't need to walk across a room for a glass of water? While contemplating this, I looked at a nearby house. In the 'Carrie' movie, the protagonist destroys her house. I thought about a bizarre National Enquirer headline where a house turned over during an exorcism.
I pondered what it would feel like to move such a large object beyond the scope of human action. As I did, the house began to shudder and shake, then it rolled over on its side, facing me. Astonished, I considered if I caused it, but that seemed impossible. I checked if I was asleep; I wasn't. I decided to try another experiment, wanting the house to crush itself into rubble, mimicking the movie. The house began to shake, windows broke, and 2x4s passed through walls. The center of the house collapsed and splintered. The adrenaline rush was intense.
Suddenly, a bulldozer with yellow paint appeared and crushed the house into rubble, loading it onto unseen dump trucks. I had gotten exactly what I'd asked for, to experience moving a house and its psychological effects through a synchronistic event.
I had been trying to understand the causes of these events, a challenging pursuit. When people experience such things, even now in my practice, they are often labeled as having 'ideas or thoughts of reference' in psychiatry, meaning they connect an idea to an external event. This is considered a psychotic symptom."
A critical element in all of this was the significance attributed to the events. Dr. Surprise thought that if synchronicity was inherently marked by meaning, then it must inherently be linked to our internal processes. It was apparent that we have the capacity to engage in a dialogue with our unconscious mind—an ongoing interaction often undertaken without conscious awareness. Attempting to consciously fathom this intricate web of connections was a complex and elusive endeavor.
Dr. Surprise decided to enlist the aid of his unconscious, employing a Jungian perspective that transcended the individual and tapped into the collective unconscious, where the illusion of separateness dissolves. Simultaneously, he implored of both his inner self and the universe: "I cannot decipher this on my own. Please show me the inner workings of this enigmatic phenomenon." It was at this point that the nature of the synchronicities he encountered began to shift. He found himself receiving guidance and messages—urging him to read this, to compare that, to delve into the mysteries and secrets of the cosmos. Then, over the next several years, a comprehensible model of synchronicity gradually unfolded, harmoniously resonating with modern physics, neuropsychology, and the mystical traditions passed down through generations.
At its core, this model presents a complex interplay of physiology and energy, seamlessly aligning with the principles of string theory, elucidating the mechanics behind these extraordinary events. Synchronicities, it turns out, are reflective phenomena, intricately tied to the individuals who observe them.
Yet, in the quest for simplicity, we are met with the stark realization that this phenomenon is anything but straightforward. The explanation for how it operates is, in essence, a multifaceted puzzle.
At the heart of this enigma lies the intricate machinery of our brains, the ultimate supercomputers of the universe. They shape our reality, not through magic or mysticism, but through the meticulous work of neurology. What we perceive at any given moment is, in essence, a carefully crafted hallucination. Our brains are equipped with billions of digital sensors, extending their reach into the environment. These neurons transmit trillions of bits of information through digital networks in our nerves to the grandest supercomputer known to humankind: the human brain. However, before we ever become consciously aware of external information, our brains meticulously alter and filter every bit of data. They construct a reality for us based on our unique preferences and perceptions.
In due time, we will explore the evolutionary psychology underpinning this intricate process. But first, we will outline the irreducible primaries of its function. Synchronicity comprises two key elements. First, our minds function as adept filters, screening out components that do not align with our usual interests, while amplifying patterns to which we are attuned. This filtering mechanism clarifies why, when someone becomes enamored with synchronistic events and actively searches for them, their brain, their ever-helpful supercomputer, conspires to adjust reality to meet their expectations. It ceases to exclude these phenomena, instead presenting them for scrutiny. In turn, the individual begins to witness a profusion of these events, manifesting in patterns of their choosing.
One of the profound mysteries of human existence pertains to the wide array of belief systems and religions populating our world. Each of these views reality through a distinct lens. Intelligent, well-intentioned, and sincere individuals perceive the world in vastly different ways because they, too, project their beliefs onto the external environment. In doing so, they receive confirmations, much like Carlos Castaneda described in his Don Juan books. When a thought takes form in their minds, they witness it mirrored back to them as synchronistic events. The notion that the environment is malleable, that it can be altered, might initially strike one as irrational. However, science itself has demonstrated that we possess the capacity to effect real changes in our surroundings.
Science, a marvel of human inquiry, doesn't definitively reveal what is real, but instead offers probabilities of what is most likely to be true. It bestows upon us the power to narrow down our questions and gain focused insights.
Over a century ago, it became evident that the act of observation itself can alter the phenomena we seek to understand. In this context, the gold standard of experimental design is the "double-blind experiment." In such a setup, the subjects of the experiment remain unaware of what the researcher is attempting to uncover. This lack of knowledge prevents them from consciously trying to fulfill the researcher's expectations or manipulating their responses to align with the anticipated outcomes. Similarly, the person conducting the experiment, typically the individual providing instructions to the subjects, is also kept in the dark regarding the researcher's objectives. This is done to ensure that the experimenter does not unintentionally convey subtle cues to the subjects.
The reason for employing the double-blind method is not to imply that people are insincere or attempting to deceive. Rather, it acknowledges the profound influence of expectation on the outcome of an experiment. This recognition extends to synchronistic events and is a pivotal component of experimental design.
In the realm of experimental design, the process entails devising a sequence of procedures aimed at investigating the relationships between variables. To create a controlled experiment, specific elements are essential: a hypothesis that can be tested, at least one independent variable that can be meticulously manipulated, and at least one dependent variable that can be accurately measured. This approach lays the foundation for controlled scientific investigations, allowing us to uncover the intricate relationships between different aspects of our world.
The explanation for the phenomenon of synchronicity is multifaceted, drawing from the realms of physics and neuropsychology. Over the past seven decades, it has been established that human cognition exerts an influence over our environment, altering it by a modest margin of about three to six percent. This explanation can be dissected into two primary facets.
Firstly, the human brain, often referred to as the three-pound universe, plays a pivotal role. It acts as an intricate filter and processor of the information it receives, shaping our perception of the world by highlighting patterns. This internal supercomputer is the linchpin that filters and transforms incoming data to present us with patterns and relationships.
The second dimension of this explanation revolves around our capacity to create synchronistic events by subtly changing our environment. The transformation typically hovers within the three to five percent range, closely aligning with our thoughts and intentions. This dynamic coupling of physics and neuropsychology challenges previous notions that have either dismissed these events as delusional or attributed them to external agencies.
While it is impossible to categorically rule out the involvement of non-physical factors in the universe, as a person who appreciates the scientific method, my commitment lies in the pursuit of empirical truths and what is most likely to be real. The evidence amassed over decades of research consistently underscores the notion that it is our own cognitive processes and patterns of recognition that instigate synchronistic events, an occurrence referred to as "pattern recognition."
Pattern recognition, a fundamental data analysis method, harnesses machine learning algorithms to autonomously discern patterns and regularities in diverse datasets. Its applications span various domains, from image and speech recognition to fingerprint identification, optical character recognition, and even medical diagnosis. Pattern recognition is at the core of technologies such as data analytics, enabling predictions and classifications in fields as diverse as finance and medicine.
The roots of pattern recognition extend deep into human evolution. Early life forms recognized the advantage of remembering environmental cues associated with the availability of food, and adapting their behavior accordingly. In essence, neural tissue evolved as a means of memory storage, with memory being the simple capacity to recognize and compare patterns.
Humans, despite possessing physical limitations such as underdeveloped claws and teeth ill-suited for combat, thrived through their exceptional ability to perceive and evaluate patterns. The human brain emerged as a formidable memory storage device, adept at processing and analyzing data. This capability conferred a survival advantage by enabling individuals to distinguish nuances in their environment that signaled either sustenance or danger.
But the capacity for pattern recognition offered an even greater potential benefit. What if one could not merely respond to the environment but actively shape it? What if an individual could influence events to improve the odds of securing food or other advantages? This ability to tilt the odds, even by a mere three to six percent, would hold profound implications in a hunter-gatherer context. The cumulative impact of these slight shifts over a lifetime could mean the difference between survival and extinction. Thus, the ability to change the environment, even slightly, to favor one's goals becomes a powerful evolutionary advantage.
One common misconception prevalent in New Age philosophies is the notion of being able to engineer one's own reality, a form of extravagant "wishful thinking." It's an enticing dream to have the power to shape the world according to our desires, but the reality is quite different. Anyone who has experienced the mundane challenges of life, from paying taxes to navigating interpersonal conflicts or mustering the will to go to work on a weary morning, knows that we do not wield complete control over our reality. And there is no external entity out there magically engineering it for us either.
The scientific data, as I've discussed, reveals that we exert a subtle three to six percent influence on altering the random occurrences within our environment. The most contemporary scientific field, organics, underscores the notion that complex problems can be addressed by fostering adaptability in organic systems. For instance, when dealing with toxic substances in the environment like PCBs, scientists have learned that cultivating vast bacterial cultures, exposing them to the toxin, and selecting the cells that survive, leads to the development of organisms that can consume the poison. These organic systems, deeply rooted in the complexity of natural science, possess the genuine capacity to change and adapt to their surroundings, far surpassing our pale imitations of technological manipulation.
If there were any evolutionary advantage in having some degree of control over the environment, organic systems, like bacteria, would have long ago harnessed this capability. We, as humans, are intricately connected to the environment in profoundly complex ways, and this explanatory framework outlined here, and developed in part by Carl Jung, and then finished by Kirby Surprise, draws on concepts like string theory, and illustrates how we have evolved to possess a slight advantage in this realm.
However, one common trajectory for those who explore synchronistic events is to find themselves in a spiritual or religious corner, where they believe that a higher power or divine grace is guiding them. The inherent human desire to feel special and unique fuels this inclination. People yearn to possess special, almost magical powers. In reality, though, the ability to influence our environment in these subtle ways is an inherent trait shared by all of humanity, and it operates continuously, without our conscious control.
The reason synchronicities manifested for me, and for others who delve into this realm, was due to my obsessive focus on these events. I was, in essence, signaling both to the filters in my mind and projecting out into the environment an intense desire to witness these synchronicities. When individuals begin following the trail of coincidences and imbue them with heightened significance, they start perceiving their own fantasies and beliefs magnified in the world around them. This psychological phenomenon explains why adherents of various religions often perceive their particular deities actively intervening in their lives and changing the course of events. Christians perceive a Christian universe, with The Holy Spirit, the Father, and Jesus as active participants. Muslims witness Allah's hand manifest in their devotion to Taqwa, and Buddhists envision the bodhisattvas aiding them on their spiritual path. However, it is crucial to recognize that while people pray for enlightenment and divine assistance, they are, in essence, forging their own path, shaping their experiences through their patterns of recognition.
When I was a Mental Health Specialist in the Army working in the San Antonio State Hospital Psychiatric Ward, I frequently encountered clients struggling with delusions and psychosis. Many of these individuals experienced synchronistic events, often driven by the absence of their natural filters, leading them to perceive what they are searching for. This is, in essence, a maladaptive expression of the evolutionary advantage we all possess. While synchronistic events grant an advantage when seeking something specific, the objects of desire have evolved with the times. Instead of needing to track down an antelope to feed one's family, people may be in pursuit of a great deal on a green 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 SL or the attention of an attractive face in a night club. These desires represent modern manifestations of our primal hunting instincts, and there is a distinct advantage in focusing on what we seek in our environment.
Such focused intent alters the landscape of possibilities we encounter. Many of us have experienced those moments when we desperately needed something, thought it was out of reach, and then something peculiar unfolded, offering an opportunity we hadn't anticipated. This is the mirroring effect in action. Our thoughts reverberate into the environment, and in response, the world seems to present us with these remarkable coincidences. The meaning of these events does not stem from some external mythology or supernatural force orchestrating them. Instead, the significance lies in our own thoughts influencing the environment, albeit only by a modest margin of three to six percent.
In the realm of science, the bell curve is a standard representation of how events are distributed. The most common occurrences cluster in the center of the bell curve, representing the bulk of everyday experiences. Events on the far ends of the curve are known as standard deviations, we encounter the rare and unusual events that transpire once in every ten thousand trials. Some synchronistic events align with these outliers. However, when individuals actively focus on the events themselves, these occurrences become more frequent, more intense, and increasingly distant from the norm, shifting towards the ends of the curve. Instead of seeking tangible objectives like an antelope, they become engrossed in the pursuit of synchronistic events. Consequently, they often assign meanings and causes to these events that are reflections of their own thoughts and fantasies, constructing personal narratives that they project onto the external world.
When Dr. Surprise first realized that these synchronistic events were essentially reflections of our thoughts, He was driven to find a way to validate this concept, as suggesting that we were, in a sense, performing a kind of unexplained magic without a solid physics explanation would seem implausible. To address this, he designed a computer program that generated random numbers, which were then used to draw lines on the screen. If certain ranges of numbers were hit, the lines would either move closer together or farther apart. He discovered that this simple program could be influenced by thought, where one could think at the computer, causing the display to change. Remarkably, such interactive toys are now available on the market, and function on similar principles.
An earlier example of scientific investigation into this phenomenon comes from J.B. Rhine, a psychologist at Duke University in the early 1930s. A gambler approached him with an extraordinary claim – that he could alter the odds when throwing dice, causing numbers to appear more frequently than by chance alone. Instead of dismissing the man or suggesting psychiatric help, Rhine decided to conduct an experiment. He took out six pairs of dice, a notebook for recording each throw, and instructed the gambler to make the number six appear more often than expected on all six pairs of dice. Astonishingly, the gambler succeeded, surpassing the normal odds by about six percent. This event piqued Rhine's scientific curiosity, leading him on a 40-year-long quest to understand how such an ability could be possible. Over the years, he conducted thousands of trials, covering a wide array of experiments involving dice throws, coin tosses, random number generators, the patterns formed by falling mists on tables, nuclear decay, and more. Consistently, his research demonstrated that subjects had the power to influence their environment by three to six percent.
In the realm of statistics, a tool known as the p-value is used, which represents the likelihood of an event being attributed to chance. Rhine's work yielded p-values that were astonishingly low, indicating odds against the results being random that ranged from hundreds of millions to one. Additionally, Carl Jung, who was aware of Rhine's work and had engaged in discussions with him, characterized Rhine's experiments as demonstrations of synchronicity occurring within a laboratory setting, thereby providing concrete evidence for the phenomenon.
However, Carl Jung's entire theoretical framework rested on the concept of archetypes, where he believed that these synchronistic events, characterized by meaningful coincidences, were generated by archetypal forms in a non-physical realm, beyond the constraints of time and space. Jung argued that it was impossible for human beings to be the architects of these events, and this belief formed the core of his philosophy. The implications of J.B. Rhine's research presented a significant challenge to Jung's ideas because Rhine's findings indicated that humans were indeed the initiators of these phenomena. People had the power to create these events. Jung's theories, particularly those related to the collective unconscious and archetypes, stood in stark contrast to modern scientific and psychological understanding, and he was apprehensive about facing further ridicule by suggesting that humans could effectively perform what might be perceived as magic. Consequently, he was unable to embrace the scientific evidence indicating that individuals were responsible for these events.
J.B. Rhine's investigations led to several remarkable discoveries. He conducted experiments in which individuals were given a cup of coffee before participating in coin tosses and die tosses. Surprisingly, he found that caffeine enhanced a person's capacity to influence the outcomes of these events. This established a clear physiological connection, with caffeine increasing brain activity, and subsequently, the occurrence of synchronistic events. Conversely, Rhine administered shots of alcohol and observed that this depressant of brain activity resulted in a diminished ability to influence the randomness of the events during the trials.
Perhaps the most astonishing revelation from Rhine's research was the observation that a person's mood played a pivotal role in their ability to influence these events. In the early stages of an experiment, individuals exhibited a high degree of success, altering the randomness of the die tosses by a considerable margin, say around six percent. However, as the experiment progressed, particularly around the 15th to 20th tosses, their ability to influence the outcomes significantly declined, reverting to levels expected by chance. This state of normalcy persisted for roughly 30 to 40 tosses. Then, an intriguing shift occurred. Toward the latter stages of the experiment, somewhere around the 75th toss, the subjects began to regain their ability to change the randomness of events in their favor. By the 85th toss, they surpassed the expected random outcomes, and as the experiment concluded, they were again affecting reality in their favor by about five to six percent. Rhine recognized that this pattern was associated with the subjects' mood. In the beginning, they were excited and fully engaged, but as boredom set in during the middle of the experiment, their focus waned, affecting their ability to influence the outcomes. Toward the conclusion of the experiment, their renewed interest and anticipation led to a resurgence in their capacity to alter these synchronistic events in their favor.
Now, these patterns of events weren't particularly emotionally or psychologically relatable in the context of dice falling on a table. J.B. Rhine had extensively examined potential physical causes for these events, such as external forces affecting the dice. However, no tangible evidence of physical influence was found; it was as if something beyond the confines of reality was coincidentally altering these events to align with the subjects' attention and intention. Through my study of string theory and probability theory, I came to understand that these events involved shifting through probabilities, devoid of any physical force or influence. Jung's idea that these events operated beyond the dimensions of time and space and functioned upon the layers of reality discussed in string theory was accurate.
However, that does not mean these experiences are external messages from a divine source, but rather, reflections of our own thoughts and cognitive processes. This point highlights the crucial role that our interpretations play in our relationship with synchronicity.
The idea that our thoughts don't change collective reality for everyone but serve as a reflection of our inner world is a fundamental aspect of how synchronicity operates. It's like a personal feedback loop, where our thoughts and beliefs influence the patterns we perceive in the world, and these patterns, in turn, reinforce our beliefs. This self-reinforcing cycle can lead to the amplification of certain beliefs, whether they are centered around divine communication, personal significance, or other themes.
Many people are conditioned to adopt a more rational and less magical perspective as they grow older, which can lead them to dismiss or overlook synchronistic events. This shift in perspective often occurs as a result of societal and cultural norms that emphasize a more objective and empirical understanding of reality. However, as these cases illustrate, the capacity for experiencing synchronicity is an inherent and evolved trait that operates in the background of our consciousness.
Exploring and understanding the phenomenon of synchronicity can offer valuable insights into the intricate relationship between our thoughts, our interpretations, and the patterns we perceive in the world. It underscores the importance of self-awareness and critical thinking when navigating these experiences, as well as the potential for therapeutic interventions to help individuals reinterpret and integrate their synchronistic encounters into a more balanced and functional worldview.
Our exploration of environmental themes, be it My Little Pony or Christian Nationalism, serve as vivid illustrations of the principle that external events often mirror our inner thoughts. When one consciously aligns their thoughts with such narratives, synchronicities emerge that seem to resonate with the chosen storyline. These synchronicities should not be misconstrued as objective, universally recognized events; rather, they are reflections of one's thoughts and the narrative they have weaved.
The observation concerning religious extremism is indeed profound. Individuals deeply entrenched in a particular religious or ideological narrative tend to reinforce their beliefs through their interpretations of synchronistic events. This reinforcement can lead them to become increasingly convinced of the narrative's authenticity, potentially resulting in actions or beliefs that appear extreme or irrational to external observers. It underscores the profound interplay between thought, interpretation, and personal belief systems in shaping an individual's perception of the world.
In essence, this phenomenon underscores the inherently subjective nature of human perception and experience. The manner in which we choose to frame and interpret events holds the power to significantly influence our comprehension of reality, and this comprehension can vary greatly from person to person.
Beyond the realm of religious extremism and hysterical absurdity (at the risk of being redundant), there are pertinent implications in understanding synchronicity for our American society. Our political landscape is fraught with dysfunction, with two major parties entrenched in their convictions, each regarding the other as misguided. Liberals perceive conservatives as selfish, narcissistic, and irrational, while conservatives view liberals as morally adrift and a threat to societal order due to their perceived lack of discipline. The fact is, these individuals on both sides sincerely guard their beliefs, and they perceive constant reflections of their political convictions in the world around them.
We exist within a web of synchronistic events that, rather than reflecting an objective universe, mirrors our internal expectations and thoughts. What we perceive is a manifestation of our individual psychodynamic processes, a worldview shaped by teachings and advantages. Consequently, we find ourselves in a world where individuals with diverse belief systems often talk past each other, mistakenly assuming insincerity or delusion in those whose mirrors reflect differently. In truth, they are simply interpreting a universe tailored to accommodate their unique fears and concerns.
The uncritical adherence to belief systems, although often criticized, can be seen as an evolutionary advantage. Prior to the establishment of organized religions, our ancestors lived in a perpetual state of fear. They were exposed to threats such as poisonous creatures, diseases, and the terrifying unknown that could strike at any moment: ghosts, ghouls, and gods. To overcome this paralyzing fear, they began constructing explanations for the world's operations, seeking predictability and order through religion. It offered solace, providing hope for survival.
Consider a hunter on the grasslands, pursuing an antelope. The vast, shifting landscape of waving grass, patterns of light and shadow, changing sunlight, and weather conditions presents an intricate pattern recognition challenge. Waiting for absolute certainty before hurling a spear would lead to starvation, as there is no way to achieve complete certainty. Hence, our conscious minds developed as separate, quick-thinking supercomputers, built not for certainties but for recognizing patterns approximating the familiar and acting upon them.
Determining the moment to hurl a spear at what he is reasonably sure is an antelope, or instead to flee from a pattern that could be a lion's mane, is a constant exercise in guessing. Waiting for absolute certainty would lead to hunger, while excessive caution may make you the prey. Uncertainty is inherent, and our conscious minds evolved to approximate patterns and act upon them.
A significant sign of true delusion often lies in the individual's unwavering belief that their position cannot be challenged. Many religious systems exemplify this, with adherents who are utterly convinced of their righteousness.
Yet, we aren't meant to be infallible. Synchronistic events share this characteristic of inherent uncertainty, and this is a virtue. Absolute certainty can lead to misinterpretations, such as believing that a coincidence mandates you to set your car ablaze or take drastic, imprudent actions too devious to mention. Engaging with synchronicity is a matter of playing the odds, assessing the likelihood that a particular message or event has meaning. It's akin to trusting that folding your hands in a certain way aligns with the cosmic order.
What's most striking is that these events can be enjoyable. Despite some attaching religious or paranoid significance to them, they are, in essence, a source of amusement. While our modern lives are focused on goals like career advancement and financial prosperity, most of us have moved beyond the primitive struggle for survival. We've transcended the necessity of using synchronicity solely for hunting antelope and can now have fun with it. We can actively shape our environment and take pleasure in it without feeling overwhelmed by its supposed peculiarity.
Given this perspective, it's worth contemplating whether our distant ancestors were more attuned to this ability than we are now. The capacity to engage with synchronistic events appears to be inherent to living organisms, including humans. It's a fundamental aspect of having a sort of neural tissue in the environment, a phenomenon observable not only in our species but also in other organic life forms.
An intriguing experiment conducted by Ryan underscores this point, wherein chickens were placed in a cage with a light bulb connected to a random number generator. The bulb would only illuminate if the chicken's synchronistic range of 3 to 6 percent was activated. What he found was that not just humans, but all organic life forms, including birds and animals, exhibited this behavior. It's a consequence of having neural tissue in the environment.
Now, here's the intriguing part of the story. During the experiments that ran for weeks, one weekend, Ryan returned to find that one of the chickens had died for reasons unknown. When he checked the records of the random number generator, he made an astonishing discovery. At the moment of the chicken's passing, the synchronicity events suddenly returned to a state of randomness. Its consciousness controlled the synchronicity.
This inherent ability likely extends back to our earliest ancestors. Archaeological evidence, such as the cave paintings in France, suggests that our forebears engaged in magical practices, recognizing a connection between their thoughts, intentions, and the events in their environment. For survival reasons, they may have noticed subtle advantages when shamans donned masks and performed dances, and this practicality was sufficient for them. Their focus was on feeding their families, not understanding the underlying mechanisms.
Emotions play a pivotal role in the creation of synchronistic events, and it's worth noting that love, anger, fear, and revulsion are at the core of these emotional drivers. It's significant to observe that only one of these emotions is positive, and this observation carries profound implications, especially given that many individuals struggle to maintain control over their emotions or detach themselves from their emotions beyond the ego.
Our physical nature is evident in the fact that two of these emotions, love and anger, compel us to move towards things. Love fosters preservation and gratitude, while anger drives the impulse to effect change in the environment. On the other hand, fear and revulsion prompt us to move away from something. This physical orientation arises from the way our neural tissue operates, thinking in sensory signals. When individuals experience hallucinations on substances like psychedelics or dissociatives, they are essentially observing the inner workings of data processing, as the brain processes information through sensory inputs, including visual images, sounds, physical sensations, smells, and tastes.
However, the downside is that the brain processes experiences over decades, and we now possess the capability to use tools like fMRI scanners to monitor these cognitive processes. Traumatic events, for instance, can have a lasting impact on the brain. Some individuals may spend their entire lives attempting to associate and process such events. In cases of severe trauma, people may push these memories out of conscious awareness into the automatic processes of the brain to cope with the world. Yet, these memories don't simply disappear; they remain active data, complex mathematical formulas within the brain.
The human brain is a remarkable entity, with more computational power than all the world's computers combined. It consists of approximately 200 billion neurons, each with the computational capacity of a laptop, interconnected with as many as 200,000 others. Memory involves the processing of data formulas that remain dynamically active in the brain, shaping our experiences in the present moment.
Our memory is not akin to a static tape recorder; it is dynamic and malleable. Every experience we have reshapes our memories as neural signals intermingle and form associations, influencing who we are in the present. Synchronistic events are a reflection of this complex interplay: memories, fantasies, altered memories and fantasies, expectations, desires, and hopes—all are encoded as data signals in the brain. There is no fundamental difference between intellectual thoughts and emotions; both are expressions of mathematical processes experienced differently.
Traumatic experiences, when pushed into the unconscious, can have a lasting impact on an individual's perception of the world. For example, a child’s assault can shape into an adult's lifelong trust issues and perception of the world as hostile. These traumatic events continue to generate meaningful coincidences in their lives, as individuals unconsciously modify their environment to recreate and attempt to resolve the trauma.
This explains why some people repeatedly find themselves in destructive relationships; they are unconsciously trying to recreate the traumatic formula in an attempt to resolve it. Additionally, our evolutionary predisposition increases the likelihood that the environment will present circumstances for them to relive the trauma, reinforcing the adage, "Be careful what you wish for."
Regarding thought forms, also known as Tulpas, it's essential to acknowledge that while physical reality is indeed real, it's not separate from the concept of thought forms. Everything, in a sense, can be seen as a thought form. However, it's important to avoid adopting an elitist perspective that labels some people as more conscious or special than others. It's a trap that individuals, even those who are spiritually inclined or highly intelligent, can fall into. Making such judgments, whether based on intelligence or the notion that some people are more "conscious" than others, reflects a form of narcissism. It's crucial to recognize and appreciate the diversity of human experiences and cognition.
When evaluating an individual's cognitive abilities, it's crucial to recognize the profound complexity and miracle that is the human brain. Our eyes digitize and process visual information, and even the optic nerve engages in sophisticated mathematics, color correction, contrast adjustment, and pattern recognition. This process is so intricate that it surpasses the capabilities of today's mathematicians. The point being, the intelligence and cognitive functions of a person extend far beyond the ability to remember items on a list or engage in philosophical discussions. Each individual possesses a brain, a supercomputer, that performs countless tasks beyond our conscious comprehension. Every person is a miracle.
True spirituality, in your perspective, centers on the notion of connectedness. It emphasizes the understanding that humans are all interconnected beings. Even the great physicist Einstein, with his profound spiritual insight, conveyed that particles and objects are not isolated entities; they are local concentrations of an interconnected energy field.
Modern physics has advanced this understanding, proposing the existence of 11 dimensions in physical reality. Some of these dimensions are so inclusive that they operate both within and outside of time and space, akin to Jung's concept of a-causal connecting principles. In studies of religion and philosophy, one may contend that these dimensions of physics may, in essence, be dimensions of consciousness. One then may propose that matter and energy are themselves conscious entities, and the notion of self-consciousness as an individual is an illusion generated by the brain's self-referential loops.
This realization leads to a profound understanding of interconnectedness, where individuals are not separate from one another. Their fields and energies are interconnected, eliminating the notion of disconnection. It becomes increasingly difficult to view someone as detached or unenlightened when one recognizes that, in essence, they are a part of the same interconnected web of consciousness. This concept aligns with Jung's notion of the collective unconscious, where individuality can merge in the vast tapestry of interconnected consciousness.
The teachings of various mystical systems, beyond religious dogma, converge on a common theme. As individuals progress through different planes of consciousness, the boundaries of separation become increasingly blurred. This progression can be understood as moving deeper into the layers of the brain's cortex.
On the astral plane, for example, a shaman may believe they are interacting with distinct entities, such as earth spirits or fragments of lost souls. However, as a shaman advances, bordering on mysticism, they begin to realize that what they are encountering are, in fact, their own thoughts. These entities are not separate beings but manifestations of their own consciousness. The journey toward true spirituality leads one to the understanding that we are all interconnected thought forms within a larger collective entity. The realization that these thought forms are not external, fearful entities but a part of oneself is a key aspect of this transformation. It's a unifying perspective, and it is the foundation for understanding how synchronistic events are possible.
From a neurological perspective, it's important to recognize that our experience of the world is a constructed reality. The brain, located behind the frontal lobe, assembles this reality using sensory data. Every individual's perception of the world is a form of controlled hallucination. This explains why different people can perceive the same external reality in vastly different ways.
Empathy and compassion are related to our brain's capacity to construct models of other individuals in our minds. When we encounter someone, we create a simplified representation of them. This internal model allows us to relate to and empathize with others. However, some individuals may lack empathy because their brains do not perform this part of the programming.
Therefore, when we experience negative emotions like hatred, discrimination, or judgment toward someone, we are essentially directing these emotions at our internal image of them. We are, in essence, attacking a part of our own neurological construct. This understanding serves as a powerful incentive for compassion and non-judgment, as it reinforces the notion that what we experience ultimately, undeniably, is an extension of ourselves. True spirituality, in this view, does not involve believing that one group of people is more special or evolved than another; instead, it is rooted in recognizing our interconnectedness.
This touches on a critical aspect of the journey—our capacity to choose and the various stages of awareness and understanding that individuals may go through. In our society, linear and empirical thinking is highly valued. However, when we dismiss synchronistic events as unimportant or unreal, we essentially program our brains to filter them out. For some, this means remaining oblivious to these events. To address this it is important to understand that the stages of development in perceiving synchronistic events often progress gradually. Many individuals start in a state of cluelessness. Then, as they begin to witness synchronistic events, they might embark on a frantic search for explanations. This often leads them to embrace some form of mythology that mirrors their psychodynamic life and development. At this point, they might believe that these events are orchestrated by an external source, and paranoia can become part of their experience.
Over time, individuals often begin to notice cracks in the mythology they've adopted, and they start to realize that their beliefs may not hold true. This phase involves working through defense mechanisms and confronting the idea that perhaps they are the target of these events. Eventually, they come to understand that there is no external entity orchestrating these events; rather, they are witnessing reflections of their own thoughts.
This realization can be accompanied by a sense of both freedom and fear. There is a recognition that their deepest fears and concerns are being reflected in these events, but they also discover that these fears do not necessarily materialize into reality. Synchronistic events can be like vivid dreams that convey intense emotions and messages, but they do not necessarily manifest in the physical world. Understanding this concept involves accepting the idea that people sometimes enjoy the emotions of fear and suspense, much like the appeal of horror movies. This journey of self-discovery and understanding is a profound exploration into the nature of reality and the interconnectedness of thought and experience.
After the initial stages of experiencing synchronistic events and perhaps frightening themselves with their power, individuals often go through what Jung called the "dark night of the soul." In this phase, they gradually realize that they are witnessing reflections or thought forms in their environment, and these reflections do not bring harm or danger. Once this understanding settles in, some people may recognize the potential for fun and creative exploration. They realize they can consciously focus their thoughts on specific patterns and choose what they want to manifest. The ability to intentionally create synchronistic events and have a reciprocal relationship with their environment becomes more apparent.
Throughout this journey, it's important to acknowledge that our minds are naturally oriented towards thinking in terms of other people. We construct reality on a mental stage filled with people, which is a reflection of our deeply ingrained human tendency to think animistically, where everything is perceived as alive. At a more advanced stage of understanding synchronicity, people may engage in exercises like "talking to God" or communicating with various thought forms. These thought forms take on the characteristics and identities that align with our expectations, beliefs, and experiences. The key realization is that these thought forms are constructed on our neurological stage and represent a set of emotions and thoughts.
This ability to manipulate thought forms and engage with the environment in a creative way is, in essence, becoming the playwright of your own mythology. It involves shaping your reality without manipulating or harming others. It's about understanding the interconnectedness of thought, consciousness, and the environment, as well as how our experiences are constructed by our own neurological processes.
Kirby Surprise’s book, ‘Synchronicity: The Art of Coincidence, Choice, and Unlocking Your Mind’ delves further into the physics that underlie this ability, providing a deeper understanding of how this phenomenon is possible and how individuals can navigate the process of exploring and experimenting with synchronistic events.
His explanation beautifully outlines the connection between thought, emotions, and synchronicity within the framework of modern physics. By understanding that there are an infinite number of probable universes existing alongside ours, it becomes clear that our thoughts and emotions are like the navigational tools through which we move through these alternate realities.
The idea that we aren't manipulating the environment itself but rather choosing our position within these infinite probabilities is profound. It clarifies how synchronistic events occur without the need for energy or manipulation. These events are essentially a resonance between your internal state and the external state of the particular probability you are aligning with at a given moment.
This perspective allows for a playful and creative interaction with the universe, much like playing the role of Luna Lovegood or Katniss Everdeen. It's not about altering physical events or changing others; instead, it's about positioning yourself within the multiverse based on your thoughts and emotions, which the synchronistic events you choose to joyously respond to.
Everyone has this inherent ability. It's not a skill or talent but a natural part of the human experience. Understanding this can indeed change one's perception of reality, allowing individuals to tune the intensity of synchronistic events and even choose their content by focusing on them and expecting them to occur. It's a powerful realization that opens up new avenues for personal exploration and creativity.
We are each the playwright of our own life's stage, and synchronistic events point us toward the ultimate realization of our interconnectedness. This is both an opportunity and a challenge, offering freedom and choice rather than imposing responsibility. Recognizing this allows us the option to engage with it or not. There have been times when I've deliberately disconnected from this awareness for extended periods, finding it too distracting or demanding, especially when balancing familial obligations and other responsibilities. However, using it as a tool to gain insight into our internal landscape and to observe our environment, consciously selecting a fulfilling narrative, and then witnessing how our unconscious processes relate to the external world can be a source of enjoyment. I believe it can be quite beneficial. Embrace this experience, have fun with it, but always maintain a clear understanding of its nature—it's a mirror reflecting your inner world.
Comments