Jenna Moore Fuller - The Secret Language of Synchronicity: Deciphering the Words & Wisdom of Meaningful Coincidence

Deciphering the Words & Wisdom of Meaningful Coincidence

Jenna Moore Fuller

For all my wise Watsons, who helped me follow the clues once the game was afoot. And, of course, the big U for providing them.

February 2007, Salem OR: The morning is clear and unseasonably warm, and a bit of a breeze from slightly open backseat windows gently cools my face. I am driving through downtown traffic, enjoying the pleasant weather, and also thinking about something else. The subject of synchronicity, to be exact, or meaningful coincidence, as it is sometimes called. That fascinating phenomena of outward signs or circumstances that seem to somehow answer inner needs and wants.

Ive long been intrigued by the occurrences, particularly the WORDS synchronicity uses to convey highly personal messages. And I want to know more. More important, to me anyway, is synchronicity real? Does some Universal force pay attention to our everyday concerns and desires, standing by to help us out? And does it answer us through meaningful coincidence via symbolic or literal words of insight?

So I decide to try a little test. Right then and there while coasting along, I put my questions out to the ethers Is synchronicity real? and Are signs available to guide us whenever we ask? Then I try to open my mind to receive, well, whatever.

Approaching an intersection of streets, I pull up to a red light. Simultaneously in the adjoining lane, a van stops alongside. Its side panel advertising, flashy and bold, grabs my attention. Signs of all types made to order, it boasts, sounding much like cosmic reassurance that this message-making business is no big deal. Jiminy! What just happened here? Is this thing valid? Talk about instant messaging. Just a second or two between my questions and their seeming answers!

The whole thing seems a bit much maybe only a fanciful fluke or product of my imagination. Still I wonder, what would happen if I asked again? So I do, and as if on cue another van speeds across the intersection in the opposite direction. Signs! Signs! Signs! its advertising shouts out, and my heart skips a beat or two at that. I dont have time to read the small print, but it doesnt really matter. I get the message. Right there, right then, synchronicity rings true for me. It feels powerful, yet it is puzzling, and I want to learn all I can about it.

Fast forward to 2012. During the previous five years, Ive often been amazed and impressed by the eclectic variety of meaningful coincidences Ive experienced. Ive pondered them, deciphered them, and kept careful records of them in my journal. Ive acted on them and benefited from studying their symbolism. But important questions still remain. Namely:

1. Do different types of personalities experience different types of coincidence?
2. Does one personality type experience mostly synchronicities involving written words; another type, spoken words? If so,
3. Will recognizing and understanding our special personal type of coincidental messages lead us to a happier and more meaningful life?

A concurrent dream seems to address my questioning. It features a common symbol, an unexplored house, an image I am familiar with and recognize from previous dreams. In this adventure, I am excited to remember that my house has an enormous upstairs level that I have never completely explored. There is a good feeling of anticipation, as I know it may hold a trove of beautiful and valuable things. I plan a dream-time party to share the treasure hunt with others, and to celebrate our discoveries.

I am happy to recognize this encouraging message which seems to refer to the treasure hunt I am anxious to begin into synchronistic words and their wisdoms, as well as human upstairs treasures of mind. The dream leaves me with a happy sense of expectation. It feels like a nocturnal nod and a wink a kind of confirmation of this beckoning project.

My goals for this book are simple: to record and share my exploration of the phenomena and to serve as a possible catalyst in your own journey of self-discovery. I hope you will join me on this quest to decipher the secret language of synchronicity the mysterious, the wise, ever personal words of meaningful coincidence.

Back in the 1950s, when Swiss psychologist Carl Jung originated the term synchronicity, many people had never heard of him or his research. Most folks, however, were probably aware of unusual instances of his subject of study happening in their own lives. For Jung, synchronicity was a principle in which events happened simultaneously but not causally. The experience often consisted of an inner and outer event, somehow linked, but not as cause and effect. And to the recipient, if felt meaningful. With that sense of significance the episode revealed itself to be far more than happenstance a true synchronicity.

It seems the events of meaningful coincidence often happen at the same time or close to it. Though there usually isnt much of a gap between them, the understanding of their significance is sometimes delayed. Whether this understanding is intuited instantly or later, however, the perceivers feeling that these inner and outer events are somehow intertwined and meaningful, is always there.

What are these inner events that can trigger synchronicity? Pretty much any mental state that we as humans experience: thoughts, feelings, visions and dreams. By some means these states spontaneously match up with outward events in the forms of information and circumstances that respond, it appears, in answer.

Typical examples that most of us have experienced include times when we have focused on something physical, maybe a desired object or activity, only to have it quickly and literally show up in our lives. Or a person we think or talk about, who suddenly shows up or communicates with us in some way.

Many of the most fascinating instances of common synchronistic experiences involve the receipt of messages the exact information we need to answer a question or solve a problem. We might discover a new book, receive a letter, talk to a friend, or overhear the conversation of strangers. In each case the physical things or information we receive will be a perfect fit for our personal requirements. My husband Eric reminds me of this example:

Spring 2012, Salem OR: This happened during the time I was an active backpacker. I loved everything about it back then the scenery, the peacefulness, the exercise, the necessary supplies. In fact, keeping up with quality stuff was such an important part of my enjoyment that I was pretty much always on the lookout for some improved piece of equipment or tool to handle a backpacking task a little better. Which brings us to the coincidence.

He continues, It was spring, and I had been going through my supplies, reviewing needs for upcoming hikes. I wanted to buy and compare an internal frame backpack to the external frame ones I already had. IF I could find one at a bargain. Like for $50, I remember saying, maybe at a yard sale.

This discussion was going on as we rode with my sister, who was taking us to some event or other in town. The words were barely out of my mouth when we rolled by an enormous outdoor sale. Stop the car! I exclaimed. She did and we all piled out to investigate the wares. Turned out there was a fantastic find for me, an internal frame backpack for sale, coincidentally priced at $50!

Or another occasion, a simple coincidence of precisely relevant information received through the spoken word.

March 2010, Salem: I am having lunch with my sister-in-law Naomi at a buffet. The restaurants selection includes a good assortment of salad ingredients as well as several pre-made dishes. One labeled wasabi salad, looks interesting. Whats wasabi? Naomi asks. I have a vague concept of it being an ingredient of Japanese cuisine, but though I love international menus I have seldom eaten that type of food.