What is Synchronicity in Grief?
Have you ever had an experience where you said, “Wow, what a coincidence.” Maybe it was more. Maybe it was actually a “synchronicity.” Let me explain through a Jungian perspective.
Carl Jung, the prominent Swiss psychiatrist, believed synchronicity meant “more than a coincidence.” Jung, the thinker and founder of analytical psychology, connected synchronicities to the bigger world: the collective unconscious. These were not just assumptions on his part. Jung believed the collective unconscious was universal (meaning common to all people) because he listened and researched for decades the overlapping stories and myths that people shared with him, people from various cultures and societies worldwide.
Jung also recorded people’s dreams from these many cultures and uncovered repetitive and often dominant themes and motifs. He called these themes archetypes and reasoned that they resided in a collective unconscious.
When is an Event Synchronous?
Some examples of universal archetypes are life, death, love, mother, father, child and the hero’s battle between good and evil. (Think Luke Skywalker in Star Wars.) The archetypes might have a different symbolism specific to that culture’s religion or cultural myth but the archetype remains the same. Consider the Virgin Mary, known for her mercy as the all-loving mother for the Christian community, and Kwan Yin the Goddess of Compassion for Buddhism.
If we wish to evaluate an event’s synchronicity, Jung believed certain elements and conditions needed to be present. First, the episode transcends a concrete event in a spiritual way, and outside events did not cause the synchronicity. Second, the synchronistic occurrence must reflect back personal meaning to the individual experiencing it.
Third, the event is tied to deep emotion within that person. Fourth, the synchronicity occurs at times of important transition in an individual’s life as after a death in the family or divorce or serious illness when how one proceeds afterward in his or her life seems unclear.
Example of Synchronicity in Grief
But how does this translate for you or me, and how would it appear? Well, allow me to share two personal examples of what a synchronicity actually looks like and why a synchronistic experience feels extraordinarily meaningful to the person having it.
Last Thursday, I boarded The Amtrak Vermonter and headed to Burlington to visit a friend and colleague I met in 1993 at The C. G. Jung Institute in Kusnacht, Switzerland. Eleven hours later, my friend Jackie met me at the station. That evening we dined in. Following dinner, Jackie abruptly leapt from her chair.
“Mare, I want you to ‘see’ this.” She pulled out a little music box, wound it up and she handed it over. Two lady bugs – lemon yellow and cherry red in color – spun and twirled about. Beethoven’s beautiful “Fur Elise” tingled in the air. And here is the first synchronicity, when time became suspended between two worlds. You see, Fur Elise was the favorite classical composition my deceased daughter Katie played often for me, a fact that Jackie did not know.
This awesome synchronicity led to a few tears, a tender hug, and a glance heavenward on this, my first trip back to Vermont since dear Katie died. Yes, this experience hit my heart hard; I felt it was a sign of Katie’s presence, a divine presence, or both.
Another Example of Synchronicity
The weekend ended – as all things do – and I headed back to Philadelphia. This is where the second synchronicity occurred. Shortly after leaving Vermont, the train stopped and a young family of three boarded. We exchanged smiles as they seated themselves across the aisle. From the corner of my eye, I couldn’t help but observe the little boy’s joyful spirit. Naturally, I didn’t want to intrude (or did I?) but about an hour later, I saw he had nothing to play with so what’s a therapist, mother, and grandmother to do with all of her extra paper and pens?
I leaned toward the father and inquired if his child might like to have a pad and pen. They asked him. He nodded affirmatively. I passed the pad and pen over to this little guy and returned to my reading. Fifteen minutes later, he stood next to my seat. “Hello!” I looked up and smiled. He handed me a picture. It was a drawing of a woman and a little boy. The woman had glasses on. I had glasses on. I looked at him smiling so luminously.
Gift from Vishnu
“This is you,” he said, “and this is me!” He told me he was six years old. I was so delighted by this sweet and generous gesture and his emerging ego strength.
“What a wonderful picture you have drawn! Thank you! Would I be able to keep it?” He tells me that yes, it is mine now, and I think this is the best train ride I have ever had.
“What is your name, dear boy, so I will always think of you and this special day together on the train?”
He looked directly into my eyes with the hold of a king and answered in the voice of an angel, “My name is Vishnu.”
I was spellbound. This was my second synchronicity. Here is why. This little boy’s name was not Johnny or Tommy; his name was Vishnu, a major god in Hinduism who is normally depicted with four arms. In each hand, he holds something symbolic. In one hand, he holds a conch shell because its sound, ‘Om,’ represents the sound of creation. In another hand, he holds a chakra (small weapon) ,which represents the purified mind. In another hand, he holds a lotus flowe,r which represents spiritual liberation. In another hand, he holds a mace ,which represents great spiritual, physical and mental strength.
I felt astounded and humbled that a little child with a prominent and religious Hindu name would so randomly cross my path. This synchronistic experience felt not only meaningful to me but transcendent. Why? Because I am in a personal transition and I felt it was yet another sign of Katie’s presence, a divine presence, or both, supporting me.
Learn more about Mary Jane at: maryjanehurleybrant – Home
Read more from Mary Jane: New Year Offers Chance to Start Fresh – Open to Hope
Tags: grief, hope
I loved reading your article, Mary Jane! It is especially interesting to me to learn about Jung’s ideas on evaluating synchronicity. It all makes a lot of sense, especially after your description of your Fur Elise story and Vishnu story. My son, Miles, died 5 ½ years ago and just recently I have become aware of synchronicities that remind me of him. For instance, I was very surprised and excited when I found three 1982 quarters in my wallet on the night of the first December candle lighting ceremony I had for him. I keep 1982 coins because that is Miles’ birth year. It made me feel like he was really close to me then and that he liked being remembered. Thanks for posting your article. I’m going to be keeping my eyes open for other synchronicities. They bring joy into my life. Thanks again for sharing your stories.
Liz
Mary Jane, I love your article! I understand the word synchronicity much better now. It was interesting to me to hear about Jung’s ideas on evaluating synchronicity. I too, believe there is a spiritual and emotional element to it. It all makes a lot of sense especially after reading your stories of Fur Elise and Vishnu. Although my son, Miles, died 5 1/2 years ago, I have just recently become aware of such things as synchronicity. And it is a wonderful feeling. These connections will always be precious. Thanks for writing!
Sending love to you and yours,
Liz
Mary Jane, I love your article! I understand the word synchronicity much better now. It was interesting to me to hear about Jung’s ideas on evaluating synchronicity. I too, believe there is a spiritual and emotional element to it. It all makes a lot of sense especially after reading your stories of Fur Elise and Vishnu. Although my son, Miles, died 5 1/2 years ago, I have just recently become aware of such things as synchronicity. And it is a wonderful feeling. These connections will always be precious. Thanks for writing!
Sending love,
Liz
Dear Liz,
That is an exceptional sign of your precious child, Miles. Coins appearing in your wallet that you equate to him, his birth year, a special day, your feelings, it’s all important. I’m so happy for that wonderful moment. We mothers need these moments to bear up under the other moments….
I also think your spotting this article on synchronicity is significant and undoubtedly will bring many more to you keeping your Miles forever close.
With compassion for your loss,
Mary Jane
Mary Jane,
Thanks for your affirmation of my experience with the coins. I like your suggestion that those kinds of moments will sustain me during my down times. You’ve given me the idea to keep a list of these moments and to somehow creatively commemorate them through poetry, art, scrapbooks, etc. I appreciate your response and your compassion.
Gratefully,
Liz
Hi, im Eloise Potts.
Ive been researching synchronicity and came across this site.
Im 15 years old and on 2nd March 2010 my dad unfortunatly died.
I was born at 4:53 on a Tuesday evening and my dad passed at 4:53 on a Tuesday evening. I have been talking to a family friend and he said that this was synchronicity and meant something. I am his oldest daughter and we have always been very close.
What does this mean?
Is this a perfect example of synchronicity?
A few other strange things have been happening since he passed but im sure that the time of his death ment something.
I enjoyed your article.
Thanks, Eloise x
Dear Eloise,
I’m so sorry about your dad’s death. It was only days ago…. You are so young not to have your father and how very strong you must be here writing and thinking about such things as synchronicity.
We have more in common than you know: my dad died when I was 13. And, Eloise, we are both first borns which makes us the snow plows of our families which is an honor for sure. Nevertheless, this is a sad time for you and your family. I hope you have a friend or two that you can show your feelings to.
Indeed this timing was synchronistic in my opinion. I never even knew this word when I was your age! How very smart you are, too! Your soul was sent here to live your precious life and your father’s has now gone home to rest. May he watch over you.
Please write to me again and let me know how you are doing. I send you a hug and a prayer for comfort and I shall pray for your family.
With compassion for you,
MJ (and you may call me that, please do x!)
Hi, truly loved reading your article. Never heard about Synchronicity until my oldest dearest friend passed away 10 years ago. My mom and dad passed when I was teenager. I’ve always missed them very much and as I got older I have grown closer to God and Holy Spirit. I’m happy with husband and family, but still my parents and my friend Camille still are such a void in my life.
I had honor of reading eulogy for Camille at her memorial service. Afterwards at home I was crying in bed when all of a sudden I felt I should get up…..put on TV, and on it was movie entitled “Camille”, starring Greta Garbo. Until that moment, I never heard of that movie. At very moment, I heard “Get up out of that bed, you have plenty of time to sleep when you’re dead”. I could not believe what I heard. I felt my friend Camille very close to me.
Then, on my mom’s anniversary of her passing I wrote small posting in newspaper for her. When I was a kid, she wrote in my junior high yearbook, “Like Oliver Twist, I’m last on the list but hope to be first in memory”. Well, on her birthday, I was shopping in local department store when I saw book on floor. When I picked it up, I saw it was Oliver Twist. That actually confirmed she was there at that moment.
Now, yesterday, I felt “good girl”, which my mom always said to me. Her name was JOSIE. At very moment, (AFTER I FELT HER SAY, GOOD GIRL, I put radio on and there was a song that was named JOSIE. I was completely taken aback. There have been numerous other times when these “coincidences” occurred. To me, they are NOT COINCIDENCES.
I only tell my husband and sister about this…..no one else. I am a strong believer in God and Jesus, Holy Spirit. I have been in conflict with this synchronicity for a long time now. Is there someone I can see about this? Please respond. Thank you.
I truly enjoyed reading your article. My mom passed when I was 19 and my dad when I was 22. I have alot of faith in God which has sustained me over the years…over 40 years. I never heard about “synchronicity” until my first experience when an old friend of mine named CAMILLE,, passed away. At memorial, I had the honor of reading her eulogy to all. Afterwards, when at home I began to cry while lying in my bed. Immediately, I knew I had to get up’ switched on t.v., and on screen was an old movie, named CAMILLE. I never knew there was a movie with that name. It starred Greta Garbo. In it old woman said, ‘GET UP OUT OF THAT BED, YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO SLEEP WHEN YOU’RE DEAD”. I could not believe my eyes or ears. THAT
Hello Patricia,
Well, you sound like a deeply religious woman. I’m glad that you enjoyed this article.
All these years your faith has helped you with such big losses of your mother and father and dear friend and you were so young. I was 13 when my father died and I know how painful that loss is.
You can always read about synchronicity by using Google and you could talk to a Jungian analyst who understands these connections. I don’t know where you live but there are many like minded people in my field who appreciate the power of these events. The more you pay attention to these spiritual events the more you will notice that they come to you. I also call them “God winks.”
Write again and let us know here at Open To Hope of some new occurrences of which I’m sure there will be many.
Warmly,
Mary Jane
Hi, Mary Jane,
Thank you so much for your response to my post. I have begun reading more on synchronicity lately and am amazed at all the info I find. I realize now I should see a Jungian analyst who knows about these connections. I live in Queens, New York. I will do some research to locate someone. Thank you also for your encouragement and understanding of these very sensitive, special “God winks”. which I also will call them from now on.
I hope I continue to have more of them, and certainly will let you know when I do.
Sincerely,
Patricia
Patricia,
Check out this Jung link http://www.cgjungny.org/ They have great programs and plenty of analysts and student analysts that are less costly. I don’t think it’s too far from Queens.
Now, keep watching out for “those winks!”
Kindly,
MJ
My birthday has always seemed a little strange to me ,I was born one minute past midnight on the 20th of April , I have two daughters that were conceived on my birthday , and this year my father passed away on my birthday.
Dear Claire,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your father. He’s watching over you now, his daughter Claire.
Kindly,
Mary Jane
my mom died August 1, 1996 i was 19 a young mom of a 2 year old i never knew my mother time of death until i recently ordered her death certificate my mom died 10:59 pm the sync here is my mom was born may 23 1959 5-2-3=10 her year 1959 1059 is also my son bday 0519 i have been up all night going over this today makes 22 years she has passed i have noticed syncs all around me numbers names places