Sunday, November 02, 2014

Noticing Synchronicity - Day 2 - 30 Day Challenge

Does synchronicity provide us with breadcrumbs that confirm we are heading in the right direction?

I am a pilgrim.

By this I mean that I satisfy Dictionary.Com's first and second definitions:

1.) a person who journeys, especially a long distance, to some sacred place as an act of religious devotion i.e. pilgrims to the Holy Land
 
2.) a traveler or wanderer, especially in a foreign place.

 
 
 
 
 
 

I use these definitions metaphorically. I see my life as a sacred journey, and the world, Earth, Gaia, as a sacred place, so I am always walking sacred ground, and traveling to sacred places or experiences. 
 
I desire a life lived intentionally, with thoughtful consideration (I don't always satisfy this desire, but I strive for it none-the-less); this becomes an act of "religious devotion". My "holy land" is a "way of being" in the world that is filled with mindfulness and integrity. And yet, I feel as a if I am a traveler wandering this foreign place called "Life", trying to figure out how to satisfy my desire and reach my "holy landing place". 

And then I am reminded that it is not the destination, but the journey that is important.
 
Life feels foreign at times because I don't know the purpose of it. I don't have a guide book. I am not certain of where I am going. I continually familiarize myself with the lay of the land, and of course have become better acquainted with life, and yet it still perplexes me. 
 
As I move to accomplish my life's goals, and meet society's expectations, and satisfy my deep, soul-inspired yearnings, I am not always certain which direction to go in. As a spiritual person, I ask God for guidance, I pray, I meditate, I journal, and engage in different activities that I hope will provide me with answers and a map for moving forward, helping me to reach my objectives.

 
Despite my efforts, sometimes my way is not clear, uncertainty floods me. It is at these times that "universal forces" offer tremendous insight.  The universal force I am referring to is "synchronicity" a concept described by Carl Jung, defined here by Dictionary.Com:
"the simultaneous occurrence of causally unrelated events and the belief that the simultaneity has meaning beyond mere coincidence."

I am in a process of discernment regarding becoming a "spiritual director" and within the last two weeks  I have experienced synchronicity in relation to this process. When synchronicity happens, I see it as a message that suggests I am on the right path. It feels to be a guiding force that encourages further exploration, and assurance that I am "getting warmer".
 
What do you think about synchronicity? Do you have any examples of when it surfaced in your life?

5 thanksgivings:
  1. I am grateful for meaningful coincidences that remind me I am on the right path.
  2. I am grateful for Kelly Morgan of CreativeLife.com for introducing me to the concept of synchronicity.
  3. I am grateful for the time to write these posts.
  4. I am grateful for opportunities to grow spiritually.
  5. I am grateful for clarity and insight.
 
 


2 comments:

  1. Beautifully expressed, Chantel. Much of Spiritual Direction is about engaging inner wisdom and discernment as a way of life. Warm blessings for your journey!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Christy:
      thank you for the support. Yes, i agree, we need to connect to ourselves first, so that we can know how to listen and connect with others. Thank you for the blessings!

      Delete