Asked by Jesse Ducharme and addressed by Antero Alli (12/5/2011)
Question 1 : What is the limit between a synchronicity and an illusory correlation bias?
What limits perception of authentic synchronicity? The automatic assignment of meaning. We often unconsciously assign meaning to events whether they are inherently meaningful or not. When this automatic mental action happens around coincidences, it can create the deep and meaningful illusion of synchronicity. Discerning between assumed or projected meaning and an open perception of the innate meaning of an event demands a consistent process of reality checking our perceptions if we are to bypass self-delusion.
Question 2 : Is there a link between the creative process of an individual and the apparition of synchronicity unto his life ?
That depends on how “creativity” is defined, approached, and expressed. Creativity fueled by ego, with its relentless demand for credit and attention, can arouse narcissistic fantasies of excessive self-importance and exaggerate the meaning of whatever is being created, ie., “my ideas will change the world.” This type of limited creativity expresses the initial, or infantile, stages of ego development necessary to the processes of evolution and maturity, ie., you have to first have an ego to get beyond the ego. When creativity is driven by a “dialogue with the Muses” we have an interaction with autonomous archetypes that can inspire and guide the receptive ego to serve creation, rather than identify as “the creator”. This second process expresses a more mature relationship with creation that can open the doors of perception to the grace of synchronicity.
Question 3 : Can synchronicity be a personal development tool? If so, what are the benefits and can these benefits be gained by active use of synchronicity?
As I understand synchronicity, we are talking about awareness of, and participation in, a transpersonal event beyond our control and comprehension. Though we can experience it, I doubt it can be willed or figured out like some puzzle. The experience, however, can catalyze personal development given enough receptivity and commitment to the phenomena itself. In this light, “active use of synchronicity” has the ring of self-delusion. It is more likely that synchronicity actively uses us. To gain benefit from being “used” by synchronicity requires a more nonchalant attitude. Don’t make synchronicity a big deal. Synchronicity may just be the standard time zone behind the common misconception of time defined by the clock face.
Another way of getting closer to the experience of synchronicity is to fully believe in yourself. If synchronicity expresses the hidden timing behind all existing events, then it stands to reason that our experience of good timing may depend on synchronization with existence, our personal alignment with the existing conditions of our lives. As we are not separate from existence, this amounts to self-synchronization. In reading Goethe, I believe his word for synchronicity was Providence (see following quote):
"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
from "Hungry Ghosts of Albion"
a 2-act play by Antero Alli
Question 4 : How can synchronicity give insight into someone own unconscious ? What is possible to discover this way?
If synchronicity expresses the innate timing of the universe, as I suspect it does, then it remains for us mostly unconscious yet active in the personal and collective unconscious and in our night dreams. Until the phenomena itself shocks our conscious ego into awareness of it, synchronicity continues playing out while we’re not watching. What can be perceived of synchronicity may also only be the tip of the iceberg. The universe is not only stranger than we think; it’s stranger than we CAN think. As for the usefulness of insights into the unconscious, that depends on how much new information and shock to the ego a person can allow or endure. Insight is not always wonderful. If we cannot find new ways to live with more truth about ourselves, insight can become a source of annoyance, anxiety and dread. In any case, what is possible to discover here is the relationship between conscious and unconscious -- it’s already there, awaiting recognition.
artwork by James Koehnline
Question 5 : What’s the relationship between synchronicity and individual and collective archetypes?
Before this question can be addressed, we must first understand what is meant by the oft misunderstood and overused term,“archetype”. Since psychologist Carl Jung first made this term popular over fifty years ago, as he did with “synchronicity”, I refer to his notion of the origins of archetypes:
“It seems to me their origin [i.e. archetypes] can only be explained
by assuming them to be deposits of the constantly repeated
experiences of humanity.” - Carl Jung
Going on Jung’s assumption, the relationship between synchronicity and individual & collective archetypes may exist as the complex network of communication lines shared between all these autonomous psychic events. They are autonomous when they have lives and agendas of their own. The constantly repeated experiences of humanity creates its own massive multi-layering weave in the collective psyche that webs us all together on deeper unconscious levels.
Much like the way repeat experiences create neurological grooves in the human brain that manifest as our habit patterns, we are subject to whatever experiences those habits attract or link with - unless we work against the grain of old habits to carve out new neurological grooves (and new habits) through more novel experiences.
With that said, I see the relationship between synchronicity and individual and collective archetypes opening up an unending mystery to be lived, rather than any problem to be solved or any event to be merely comprehended. The psychic events linked with synchronicity and the archetypes have their home in the transpersonal domains. As such, these events are not likely to be subject to our beck and call or our control and comprehension. Though all these psychic events can be experienced directly and offer unspoken insights and revelations, it may be a misguided effort to try and define or categorize them for any sake of intellectual convenience. Those ambitions may be best served through intuition and more sensory processes via the artistic mediums of poetry, music, cinema, and any other audio and visual mediums giving expression to the ineffable without providing explanation, thesis, or formula.
Question 6 : What type of belief can increase the manifestation of synchronicity and its significance ?
Total belief in oneself tempered by deep receptivity and empathy to the world and others.
Other Interviews with Antero Alli
Articles by Antero and others (paratheatre-related)