Synchronicity, Wk 3

Synchronicity Evidence

"It's a poor sort of memory that only works backwards." ~ Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass

Synchronicity is one of those things that pops up constantly; it happens to me all the time!  Weird?  I think not!

Many other people have studied synchronicity, and the term Apophenia was coined in 1958 by K. Conrad to describe the "spontaneous perception of connections and meaningfulness of unrelated phenomena."  We're unconsciously and consciously searching for reasons/answers/explanations/meaning.  This has been part of human's existence since the beginning of our time!

Synchronicity is part of cause and effect which make up our experiences and learning experiences, which we are constantly doing.  Master Charles Cannon, a modern mystic, teaches meditation courses based on The Synchronicity Experience, which is named in the understanding that experience always precedes concept.  "In other words, when we want to know something - it is far more effective to actually experience it before attempting to intellectually grasp its meaning."  Personally, I believe this to be true.  Things happen for a reason.

Check out this website for examples and brief descriptions and references of Synchronicity: 
http://home.clara.net/heureka/books/synchronicity.htm

Check out this fractal video done to the Police's song, Synchronicity:

Connectivity

Based on what I know from life, text and historical experiences is that we're all connected. Connectivity is us and because of that, we're many thing(s).  What connects humans are stories and experiences (among other things), and within those connections are connections, down to the most infinite and minute particles which make up our whole.  We're not just connected to humans, but everything.

I recently referenced a book called A Brief History of Everything by Ken Wilber.  I had heard this book mentioned before and found it fascinating; I actually couldn't put it down in time to really focus on my project.  Ken Wilber was able to explain how everything is connected.  Instead of just describing the Universe as the top of the hierarchy of all that is, he explained that the Universe is part of the Holon theory which contains all the spheres (biosphere, atmosphere, etc), coined by Arthur Koestler, which I find fascinating.  Holon = whole (Greek word, "holos") and part (proton/neutron), suggesting a particle/part.  So, a holon is a part-whole.  Everything is a part of a whole, changing constantly.

Here are a couple websites to describe the Holon theory in more detail:

http://www.emrgnc.com.au/tenets.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Wilber
http://www.integralworld.net/edwards13.html

I've always felt connected to everything, even growing up.  My uncle once asked me about my spiritual beliefs when I was about 7 or 8 and I answered that God is in the trees, the mountains, the water, etc.  That was my own reality, as I didn't grow up in a religious household.

Again, we're all connected, as noted in A Brief History in Time by Stephen Hawking about the Big Bang Theory.  I caught the gist of the book, despite the scientific terms, but I needed more detail in Lamen's terms.  This was explained very well in The Book by Alan Watts.  Another reference that helped me to explain connectivity on a more spiritual level is no other than the infamous Joseph Campbell.  After reading about him, I re-watched all the Star Wars episodes and grasped a better meaning of heroism, based on Heroes of 1,000 Faces.  My favorite book by him was The Power of Myth, though.

Prickles & Goo by Alan Watts

Your point of view -  Are you Prickley or are you Goo?  How bout both?

If you have some time (about 40 mins), watch Alan Watts' Conversation with Myself (3 parts), taped 1hr outside of S.F:

Quantum Mechanics, Wk 2

Reflections on Uncertainty

For many reasons, there are things that don't have or require an explanation.  Either we can't explain it due to lack of detailed knowledge or, we just don't need to explain it.  We can prove that not everything has or needs an explanation, even in TCM.  Why does activating a certain point help to alleviate an ailment?  An old acupuncturist may look at you with a twisted face and say, "It just does."  That's the explanation!

Check out this joke presented by Stephen Hawking; it's cute!

Comments on Causality

How often have we wondered, what it?  Now, measure it.  How can we measure something that happened, may not have happened, or almost did?   Would that require stopping time to measure the moment in-between the cause and effect?  What would we compare the decision to?  I think it would be possible if we measured parallel universes, but we haven't gotten there yet.  We make decisions and the energy it takes to do so depends on the person and the universe and the distinguishable choices.  I don't want to say that it's impossible to measure causality, but it seems irrelevant in the scientific aspect and only relevant to human experience.

Causality, "we're constantly slaves to it", "we're completely out of control"

(the volume is a bit low on this video clip)

Weird Universe?

Defined in Wiktionary, weird is:

1) Having supernatural or preternatural power

I believe that the Universe is all-encompassing; that would include the 'supernatural'.  Like 'weird', 'supernatural' is also one of those words that I find to have a unique meaning in our language because it implies that it's almost unnatural, when in fact, it's the closest thing to natural we can get.  Some of us have tapped into that weirdness, that supernatural state, but that doesn't make it 'weird' in the negative sense.  For instance, when the phone rings and you know it's somebody else on the other line, that's not 'weird', I think that's one of the most natural thing in the world.  It's almost like we wouldn't need phones and develop Yoda-like powers in the future instead.

2) Having an unusually strange character or behavior

I think that humans have strange characters and behaviors.  When we learn to work with our universe, then our behaviors will be in tune, perhaps fading out words like 'weird' and 'strange'.

3) Deviating from the normal; bizarre

Yes!  It's about time.  Be somebody!!!

Sister Paula on Strange Universe...

She claims, "I am organized religion's best friend and worst nightmare...hallelujah!"

(disclaimer - this in no way is intended for religious promotion, but rather sheer interest)

The Meaning of Time, Wk 1

Quiz & Answer

Chinese Medicine just makes sense! It's that simple, it just makes sense. It is the understanding that all the things we put energy into affects our bodies and vice versa. Spirituality, nutrition, activity, bodywork, energy - all of those things are encompassed into a wise modality of healing. I've been healing people since childhood and my first experience with Chinese Medicine where everything seemed to click for me. I saw my own beliefs and theories of healing combined into this one ancient form of art and I remember feeling relief that something so profound in its simplicity had already been understood and established.

Already a massage therapist, I'm obviously attracted to the healing arts and believe that it is a calling that I'm here. This is the time for this art to gain honorable recognition in the West (was past overdue) and I feel blessed to be part of it. Chinese Medicine pulled me into a field of never-ending holistic opportunities in providing preventative medicine versus putting a band-aid on side effects.

Physics, honestly...

To be honest, I don't think about Physics much; although, I am interested. I felt a little overwhelmed with regards to studying physics. I may understand a little more than I think I do, but the extent of my knowledge lies in The Book by Alan Watts, A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking, What the Bleep Do We Know and a childhood guilty pleasure, Quantum Leap reruns. That's about as deep as I go down the rabbit hole.

Time Slowing Down

I've experienced time slowing down, time flying by, time seeming to stop and I definitely take my time. I felt time slow down the first time I had Acupuncture; I felt like I was floating down the hall on my way out of the treatment room. My journey to AIMC seemed to take forever, as well. I started looking at the school at the end of 2005! I believe that time could be measured like anything on a large scale, but I find that our "inner clocks" are drastically different. Like with anything, we put our extreme views onto time, rushing and smelling the roses.  Many disagreements are based on time and the reason why we can't come to agreements is because everybody has their own clock. So how do we end up on the "same page"? Well, we don't...we make a book. That's the beauty of time - it's all relative!