Are We Fooling Ourselves with Synchronicity?

Synchronicity is a phenomenon that has greatly impacted my life and forms a central theme in my YouTube vlog. Lately, I've been pondering a question that has been lingering in the recesses of my mind: Am I fooling myself?

We've all experienced those moments when we meet someone who captivates us, leading us to believe they are our soulmate or the perfect partner. As we pursue these relationships, we are often met with a series of seemingly magical events that validate our intuitions. Synchronicities abound, and life takes on a wondrous hue, with even the most mundane occurrences bearing clues of destiny. But all too often, these romanticized encounters end in disappointment, revealing the true nature of the person and shattering the illusions we had created. This pattern can be observed in various aspects of life, including people, places, events, and even inanimate objects. Whenever we become emotionally invested in something, especially if it gives us goosebumps, we fall under a spell unless our Serpent Mind is awakened.

One of the catalysts for inducing synchronicity is music. Humans are particularly susceptible to entering trance-like states through music. Just observe how people bond in a bar while listening to country music with a few drinks. Music has the power to weaken our critical faculties and lull us into a world of delusion and pattern-seeking. When alcohol is added to the mix, the magic intensifies.

Religion also utilizes sound to create a sense of the mysterium tremendum, leading people to kneel in humble adoration of their invisible deities or embodied gurus. Yet, it is fascinating how quickly the enchantment dissipates when confronted with the disturbing truth, such as in the cases of John of God and Sai Baba, where revered spiritual figures turned out to be involved in sexual offenses. It is remarkable how convincing a dream bubble can be and how shocking it is when it bursts.

While synchronicity can enrich our lives, it is crucial to approach it with a healthy dose of skepticism and critical thinking. I have personally experienced events that surpass the realm of chance in the eyes of a rational mind. The patterns that have unfolded in my life have brought me enrichment and opened doors I may have otherwise missed. These experiences often come with goosebumps and confirmations of my intuitions. However, the more emotionally charged the situation, the more convincing the interpretations become, and therein lies the complexity. It is in the realm of heightened emotion that grandiosity and paranoia thrive, feeding our subjective imaginations. This leads me to further question:

Is synchronicity merely a form of self-hypnosis? Are we falling under our own spell when we assign meaning and connect dots to seemingly random events? Does synchronicity serve as proof of the deep susceptibility of humans to trance states and hallucinations?

In my own experiences, I have encountered narratives that defy explanation from a spiritual perspective. Synchronicities seldom unfold as expected, despite the initial excitement they generate. Yet, there are moments when the connections are simply astounding.

Synchronicity is an expression of creativity. The more open-minded we are, the greater the likelihood of experiencing a tapestry of events that are interconnected, much like a symphony of life. This process is not bound by logic; it is dream-like. This is why assigning fixed meanings to these connections often leads to disappointment. Individuals may believe they are being led to meet someone at a specific coffee shop, and their expectations and faith are rewarded when they encounter someone they would have never met otherwise. The outcome of such an encounter can be positive or negative and will be interpreted based on one's belief system.

As the years pass, those who embark on a committed search for truth often collide with reality, forcing them to fit their metaphysical interpretations into the confines of everyday life. This can lead to disillusionment as their metaphysical beliefs crumble like a house of cards.

These experiences remind me of psychedelic journeys, where everything is amplified. Bugs, walls, trees, animals, people, and the sky take on profound depths, drawing the psychonaut into a realm of magic and wonder. Yet, similar to synchronicity, these "otherworldly" journeys always come to an end. Regardless of how many enchanting experiences lift us into the ethereal realms, default reality remains unchanged, and returning to it can be challenging.

“Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.”

— Philip K. Dick

I propose that genuine guidance stems from our innate connection to reality, for we are, by nature, an intrinsic part of the universe. We can never truly be disconnected from reality, as we are reality itself. Our connection to the universe is as innate as a fish's connection to water. Yet, due to our life experiences, we often feel disconnected, and in our quest for validation, we reach for anything that offers us emotionally charged hope.

Is there a "Hidden Hand" that seemingly guides us when we're following our true orbit? I think so. Maybe this support is coming from our ancestral memory, the geometric flow of the universe, or an inner guardian angel. Only by direct experience with the synchronistic flow can we interpret the language of the unconscious for our ears.

The true purpose of the spiritual journey lies in realizing our intrinsic connection to reality, for we are, in essence, the universe. By understanding ourselves, we can study the survival mechanisms inherent in our biology, just as one would study the behaviors of dogs or cats. There's a clear purpose and meaning woven into the fabric of our existence as human beings. Reproduction, nurturing, social connections, entertainment, and various other aspects contribute to a fulfilling life.

While synchronicity may be captivating and elicit a sense of wonder, it is important to approach it with critical thinking. I call this the "Serpent Mind." Recognizing the role of cognitive biases and understanding statistical probabilities can help individuals avoid self-deception when attributing deeper meaning or supernatural forces to coincidences.

"Be wise as Serpents and harmless as doves."
—Jesus the Gnostic

Here are some factors that contribute to our susceptibility to magical thinking:

• Agency Detection: Humans possess a natural tendency to attribute events to intentional agents. This cognitive mechanism, known as agency detection, evolved as a survival advantage, enabling our ancestors to quickly identify potential threats in their environment. However, this tendency can also lead to attributing agency to natural phenomena lacking a clear cause, giving rise to magical explanations.

• Pattern Recognition: Humans have a remarkable ability to recognize patterns, even when they may not exist. This capacity to find meaningful patterns in random or unrelated events has proven advantageous in various contexts, such as identifying predators or discerning edible plants. However, it can also lead to false positives, where we perceive connections and causal relationships that lack evidence. This inclination toward pattern recognition contributes to the development and perpetuation of superstitious beliefs.

• Illusory Correlations: Humans are prone to perceiving correlations between events that are actually coincidental. This cognitive bias, known as illusory correlation, can foster the belief in superstitious practices. For instance, if someone wears a lucky charm and subsequently experiences a positive outcome, they may attribute their success to the charm, even though the two events are unrelated. Over time, such associations can reinforce superstitious beliefs.

• Control and Uncertainty: Human beings strive to understand and control their environment, and superstitions can provide an illusory sense of control in situations where outcomes are uncertain. Superstitious beliefs offer individuals a way to exert influence over events and reduce feelings of helplessness. This desire for control and a lack of scientific explanations or readily available information can make individuals more susceptible to magical thinking.

Life encompasses both joy and suffering and ultimately, it leads to death. This is where the conundrum arises. Unrealistic expectations, religious indoctrination, and cultural influences, such as Disney cartoons, horror movies, paranormal documentaries, and ghost stories, contribute to our beliefs about the afterlife. When faced with the anxiety of mortality, we seek solace in esoteric, mystical, philosophical, and spiritual musings, often striving for immortality. This is the human predicament we grapple with.

So, what is the purpose of spiritual life? That realm of myth, magic, and transcendence? The human organism grows and nurtures a soul within a subjective ecosystem, with the ultimate destiny of blossoming like a flower. Our journey encompasses birth, maturation, adulthood, reproduction, and death. This process, the cycle of life, imbues our existence with meaning.

Speculation arises when contemplating what happens after death, yet it remains an integral part of our evolution in this vast universe. Near-death experiences overwhelmingly point to a realm beyond this mortal coil. We can find comfort in the fact that we are not alone; we are part of a collective lineage of 80 billion humans who have traversed this path before us.

— Zzenn