Synchronistic events offer us perceptions that may be useful in our psychological and spiritual growth and may reveal to us, through intuitive knowledge, that our lives have meaning.  — Jean Shinoda Bolen, MD

When we begin to wake up and pay attention to the world around us and look for meaning, Spirit begins to play and present synchronicities. Synchronicity was a word coined by Carl Jung in the 1920’s. Jung was on a deep spiritual journey that took him into the realms of his inner workings in an unprecedented way. Some of the results are recorded in both writing and exquisite paintings and drawings in his “Red Book.” Jung used what he’d learned about himself in his psychotherapy practice. One day, a patient of his dreamed of a golden scarab. The next day, during the therapy session, an insect flew into the room. Jung caught it and discovered to his surprise that it was a golden scarab. Scarabs are a very rare presence in Switzerland. But the appearance of the insect which was considered sacred by Egyptians, brought a powerful affirmation to the patient and to Jung. It deepened the meaning of the symbol and brought it to cross the boundaries between waking consciousness and dream consciousness.

The word synchronicity relates to timing and being in sync or harmony with the spirit. More and more people who pay attention are noticing synchronistic experiences. These may appear as signs along the way to keep them headed in the right direction and offer deeper meaning. During a period when I dreamed of snakes, snakes also appeared in unusual places – like on a city sidewalk. This brought me to take the inner symbols and images more seriously and to pay attention to what they were trying to tell me.

Synchronistic events that bring together inner soul experiences with physical events in the world of waking consciousness can offer up deep meaning and guidance. Someone may mention that it would be good for you to explore labyrinths, for example, and then another friend unwittingly invites you to walk a labyrinth that she’s discovered in her neighborhood. A man at one of my workshops recently spoke of feeling a deep desire to go to Costa Rica to explore his indigenous roots. A few months later a friend of his who was unaware of his yearning offered him a job in that country.

To benefit from the play of synchronicity, stay attuned to the images, places and people that have an emotional connection for you. When we tune in to the Divine play, miracles can happen.

 Bio: Debra Moffitt is author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life. A visionary and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices at the Sophia Institute and other venues in the U.S. and Europe. Her mind/body/spirit articles, essays and stories appear in publications around the globe and were broadcast by BBC World Services Radio. She has spent over fifteen years practicing meditation, working with dreams and doing spiritual practices. Visit her online at http://www.awakeintheworld.com.