Here’s a great program coming up at the Jung Institute of L.A.:
By the way, if you’re not in Los Angeles, the Institute usually tapes these presentations and you can order them on CD.
Again, quoting from The Portable Jung, “The Phenomenology of the Self…” (which btw was edited by Joseph Campbell), Chapter 14: On Synchronicity, Jung writes:
“Instead of simultaneity, we could also use the concept of a meaningful coincidence of two or more events, where something other that the probability of chance is involved…”
I love synchronicity. It’s one of those Jungian concepts which I’ve always found to be palpable and easily understood. Here’s my favorite personal story on a double synchronicity:
- In 1984, I was sitting in Charlie’s, a bar that used to exist on 45th Street in the heart of the theater district. I was supposed to meet my friend, Dan, there but somehow we got our signals crossed and Dan went to Charlie O’s, also on 45th, but farther down the block toward Time Square (1st meaningful coincidence). So we missed each other. When I left the bar, I nearly ran into the famous Broadway Director, Ellis Raab, as he walked by the bar. (I was a playwright at the time). As I turned and watched him walk down the street in the rain, I decided to follow him! He walked to a restaurant on 46th called Orzo and I walked into the restaurant, approached the Maitre’ D and asked if he would tell Mr. Raab that a “young playwright” was at the bar and would like to speak to him. I was 34 at the time. A few minutes later, Ellis appeared and with a delighted sarcasm (in a basso profundo) said, “I suppose you’re the young playwright?” I said I was and proceeded to pitch him my play, Heart’s Desire. After a moment he said, “What the title?” When I told him, he looked genuinely startled and announced, “My first play was titled “Heart’s Desire.” (Second meaningful coincidence). To make a long story short. Ellis decided to help me develop the play and gave a reading of it with major theater stars–but more than that–he became a dear friend and mentor to me for many years. As I think of this story, I believe my friend, Dan, had a hand in this wonderful synchronicity because our miscue led to my life changing in a profound way.