How a neuroscientist came to embrace the reality of acausal synchronicities

How a neuroscientist came to embrace the reality of acausal synchronicities

Laleh K. Quinn, PhD

In this courageous and very personal essay, UC San Diego neuroscientist Dr. Laleh Quinn shares with us her journey from materialism to opening up to the possibility of acausal, transpersonal, mind-like organizing principles in nature. The events that led to this opening-up will amaze you. We salute Dr. Quinn for her sincerity, integrity, and commitment to truth.

I consider these types of experiences to be the epitome of synchronicity, as Jung would have us understand it. Not only the improbability of this chain of events, but the deep meaning behind them, both with respect to my deceased friend and my soon to be deceased father, was profound. But I also understand that anecdotal evidence is very hard to accept. I wouldn’t have accepted it if it hadn’t happened to me. The implications are too great, if wrong. It opens up the possibility of there being a universe that is not governed by rational laws as we know them. It opens up the possibility of parapsychological phenomena being true.I deeply understand the implications of allowing oneself to open to a vast, seemingly nonsensical reality. It’s as if the floor has been taken out from under us, everything we used to ‘know’ thrown aside. But I came to understand that this can also be a great opportunity; an opportunity to willingly suspend our disbelief for a moment and consider the other possibilities, and whether those possibilities are worth the risk involved. There appears to be a choice here that we should be considering prior to dismissing Jung’s principle out of hand.

The "its really meaningful because the anecdotal evidence occurred to or was witnessed by me" thing is a pretty big barrier; at least for me.  Still, a good read.

The "its really meaningful because the anecdotal evidence occurred to or was witnessed by me" thing is a pretty big barrier; at least for me.  Still, a good read.

Yeah it is interesting because Grof actually talked about a series of synchs that seemed to all point to a particular marriage being blessed by higher powers...only for the couple to realize what a mistake it was.

All to say synchronicities are not the greatest proof against materialism, but maybe they are a kind of gateway drug.

Enjoyed that... it's always hopeful when you see people opening up...

I'll point out though, that in my experience, its belief that it's not you, that you're not in control, that it's something else, which can increase the probability that it occurs... you see it in Ouija - where people believe it's not them moving the puck, and in Prayer - that their is something other than themselves. These are like a tricks, or a methods, to open up.

Truly, I believe we're all being lied to. There is no way 'some' of the others don't know this is going on. Marketers take some advantage of it using Brands. The establishment take huge advantage of it using Live broadcast.

We're all connected, and our shared experience is created by the whole group. They go to great lengths to tell us the opposite.

They go to great lengths to tell us the opposite.

To what end?  The motivations for these illuminated (and seemingly mysterious) 'they' never seem to be shared.

@Silence I gave you an example of a minor one of them, last time you asked on another thread...

https://psiencequest.net/forums/thread-p...6#pid50266

The "its really meaningful because the anecdotal evidence occurred to or was witnessed by me" thing is a pretty big barrier; at least for me.  Still, a good read.

Either she actually experienced the very improbable synchronicities with deep meaning to her that she described, or she is lying or greatly exaggerating. That would leave open the possibility of hallucinations. I prefer to believe they probably actually happened to her - they actually happened in this time/space continuum. And she doesn't seem to be the sort of psychotic personality that would be subject to such hallucinating. And what would be her motive to lie - to sell a few books?

Either she actually experienced the very improbable synchronicities with deep meaning to her that she described, or she is lying or greatly exaggerating. That would leave open the possibility of hallucinations. I prefer to believe they probably actually happened to her - they actually happened in this time/space continuum. And she doesn't seem to be the sort of psychotic personality that would be subject to such hallucinating. And what would be her motive to lie - to sell a few books?

People do, and people read and believe those books.  The paranormal sells like hotcakes.  However, "meaningful" (that is they mean something to the experiencer) synchronicities do occur and you can increase the odds of having them.  I have no reason to doubt this person.

@Silence I gave you an example of a minor one of them, last time you asked on another thread...

https://psiencequest.net/forums/thread-p...6#pid50266

Yeah, I was afraid you'd say that.

Yeah it is interesting because Grof actually talked about a series of synchs that seemed to all point to a particular marriage being blessed by higher powers...only for the couple to realize what a mistake it was.

Here's the story:

The Rainbow Bridge of the Gods

Profound and auspicious synchronicities can initiate and accompany a powerful spiritual awakening; however, they are not without pitfalls. They can convey a convincing sense that we not only are embedded in a larger ground of cosmic meaning and purpose but also in some sense a focus or center of it. However, the overwhelming feeling of numinousness that is often associated with these synchronicities can be deceptive and should not be naively trusted and acted upon. As we will see in the following story, even most glorious synchronicities do not guarantee a positive outcome of the situation of which they are part.