(No subject)

[Guest guest]

Aum Namah Shivaya!

 

Namaste dear list members,

 

I am new to this group. But some of you may know me through another

list. After a long gap, I am posting an article of mine. Previously I

had posted articles covering predictive techniques and the

spiritual/philosophical basis of astrology on another list. This time

I am reproducing one of my articles (Editorial) from the OZCVA's

Journal 'The Vedic Light'. This article attempts to introduce the

phenomenon of 'Synchronicity' to astrologers, with special reference

to various oracular and divination systems of different cultures. If

anyone is interested, I may follow it up with more on different

systems.

 

Dr.Satya

 

I do not use the previous email id satyaketu anymore.

 

Note: This article explores some ideas of Quantum Physics, Modern

Psychology and Astrology. While I have tried to simplify the essence,

people with no background knowledge may find certain terms new. Yet I

am posting it with the hope that it will benefit atleast a few.

 

 

PARROTS, HEXAGRAMS AND NUMBERS

Synchronicity- An Acausal connecting principle

 

 

It happened many times to me. It happens to all of us sometimes. For

no reason, I remembered a friend who was my junior at the dental

school, with whom I had lost all contact since four years. He was in

my mind the whole day. The phone rang and guess what! It was the same

friend. Synchronicity, a term originated by the famous psychologist

Carl Gustav Jung, is used to explain a parallelism of events which

cannot be related causally. The `connectedness' between

non-causally related events is termed as `synchronicity. Meaningful

coincidences had always fascinated me. I had observed this phenomenon

since childhood. But its significance became more apparent once I

started learning various divination and oracular systems of different

cultures in my late teens. The various experiences and insights that

a seeker on the spiritual path goes through, do not have appropriate

English words to describe them. Often there is this lack of

communication, especially between the mystic and the scientist. Carl

Jung's work has helped in furthering the dialogue between the

mystic and the scientist. I rejoiced when I discovered that Carl Jung

had words that could partly fill the lacunae in scientific vocabulary

in English. His contribution to modern psychology is immense, and

becomes evident when one looks at the rich vocabulary that he had

left behind. Today the terms that he had designated, such as

synchronicity and archetypes, are often used as well as misused. What

is `Synchronicity'?

 

Synchronicity is a phenomenon where an event in the outside world

coincides meaningfully with a psychological state of mind. Jung

looked for a theoretical concept that would account for such

paranormal `chance' phenomena. The origin of the principle of

synchronicity is linked with Jung's limited acquaintance with the

I Ching. In 1930, he first used the term `synchronicity' to

describe an " a-causal connection between psychic states and

objective events". Let me hasten to add that Jung carefully

distinguishes "synchronicity" from the mere "synchronism" of events

occurring simultaneously but unconnected in meaning. In other words,

every coincidence is not meaningful. Only meaningful coincidences

come under the phenomenon of synchronicity.

 

Jung's initial attempts to understand synchronicity seem to have

been influenced by the classical idea of astrology too- "the

objective time moment". This supposes that certain quality

exists in a moment of time itself- "To everything there is a

season and a time for every purpose under the heavens; a time to be

born and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to pluck up that

which is planted; A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to

breakdown and a time to build up; a time to Dance; a time to get and

a time to lose; A time to keep and a time to cast away", as the

Ecclesiastes states. This concept of a certain quality to time, is

fundamental to Vedic astrology, which has its roots in the ancient

Vedic practice of timing their rituals according to this quality of

time, in fact so much so that in the post Vedic times, Time was even

personified as a mighty Being- Mahakala the Lord of Time.

 

Qualitative time seems to explain why astrology and other forms of

divination work. But synchronicities are not always dependent on such

a moment of time. Precognition, for instance, does not occur in

"same-timeness". Jung gradually gave up the supposition of

qualitative time. He concluded that since qualitative time is nothing

but the flux of things, and is as much "nothing" as space,this

hypothesis ends up in a vicious circle- "the flux of things and

events is the cause of the flux of things, etc".

 

Jung thought that it would be possible to link his "a-causal

principle" of synchronicity to new ideas emerging in physics.

Things happen both in physics and biology according to Quantum logic

of uncertainty. After Heisenberg's discovery of the uncertainty

principle, most quantum physicists like Niels Bohr and Max Planck

were concerned with demolishing the principle of Causality.

Heisenberg had experimentally proved that things may happen without

any cause. Planck says that even the rationalists have to admit of

mysteries and miracles that do happen without any causal

relationship. He wrote," though the order of nature is admitted

as inevitably predetermined by the Supreme Cause, yet the causal

chain in the world itself may at any time be interrupted by the

intervention of a supernatural power."

 

Jung's close friend, the Nobel prize winning physicist, Wolfgang

Pauli, was one of the several scientists interested in Jung's

views. While Jung held that " a union of psychology and physics

seems entirely possible", Pauli "discovered the presence of

Archetypes in the scientific theories of Kepler"! Jung and Pauli

agreed that the trinity of classical physics- time, space and

causality- could be turned into a quaternity by adding synchronicity

as a fourth term. Of course this conflicts Einstein's theory of

General Relativity,that the structure of space-time is smooth and

continuous. God doesn't play dice! I can almost hear Jung

asserting, "Maybe he does. But we don't know by what

rules"!

 

Synchronicity was defined by Jung as an "a-causal connecting

principle," an essentially mysterious connection between the personal

psyche and the material world, based on the fact that at bottom they

are only different forms of energy. "It is not only possible but

fairly probable, even, that psyche and matter are two different

aspects of one and the same thing. The synchronicity phenomena point,

it seems to me, in this direction, for they show that the nonpsychic

can behave like the psychic, and vice versa, without there being any

causal connection between them" (On the Nature of the Psyche," CW

8,par. 418.)

 

Jung associated synchronistic experiences with the relativity of

space and time and a degree of unconsciousness. "The very diverse

and confusing aspects of these phenomena are, so far as I can see at

present, completely explicable on the assumption of a psychically

relative space-time continuum. As soon as a psychic content crosses

the threshold of consciousness, the synchronistic marginal phenomena

disappear, time and space resume their accustomed sway, and

consciousness is once more isolated in its subjectivity. . . .

Conversely, synchronistic phenomena can be evoked by putting the

subject into an unconscious state" (On the Nature of the Psyche,"

CW 8, par. 440).

 

Jung hoped to establish synchronicity as a law equal in status to

causality. To this end he even devised carefully planned statistical

investigations into birth charts. Of course eventually his original

experiment parted company with orthodox statistical methods. In

searching for an objective law, he had found the reflection of the

subjective psyche of the observer in the apparently objective

material! He discovered that "synchronistic events draw the

observer into what is happening and make him an accessory to

them".

 

Jung had succeeded in proving (?) that " A secret, mutual

connivance exists between the material and the psychic state of the

astrologer. This correspondence is simply there like any other

agreeable or annoying incident, and it seems to me doubtful whether

it can be proved scientifically to be anything more than that."

But Jung seems to be ambiguous about the degree of subjectivity or

objectivity of synchronicity. "Synchronicity takes the

coincidence of events in space and time as meaning something more

than mere chance, namely, a peculiar interdependence of objective

events among themselves as well as with the subjective (psychic)

states of the observer or observers."

 

This is a bit ambiguous. The relationship between the observer and

observed remains confused, giving rise to two understandings of

synchronicity. In the first version there is already

an "interdependence of objective events amongst themselves"

(say, planets and an event), observed objectively. Yet the second

version involves the subjective participation of the observing

psyche. In other words the experimenter's psyche is also

involved. Again sounds like an echo of Quantum physics!

 

The first version (let us call it Synchronicity O), with its

objectivity, could be examined for an inherent theory or law. The

second one (what I call Synchronicity S), with its secret, mutual

connivance, is unique and lawless. It depends on, and even brings to

light, the psyche of the observing subjects so that the

individual's own psyche is mysteriously reflected in the

objective material.

 

Jung moves ambiguously between these two versions of synchronicity.

If synchronicity in its broadest sense has to be meaningful, then it

must have a subjective component, because it is impossible to

separate "meaning" from subjective psychic activity. Yet in

suggesting a form of synchronicity based on an "interdependence

of objective events amongst themselves", Jung also has to posit

the existence of a psychoid level of reality, existing prior to human

consciousness. This implies an order and pattern in the cosmos, a

transcendental meaning inherent in the collective psyche.

Synchronicity postulates a meaning, which is a priori to human

consciousness and apparently exists outside of man.

 

This is perhaps the principle or phenomenon that is behind all

oracular and divination systems. This is the basis of the Indian

Horary (Prasna) method of fixing the ascendant by a number given by

the client. While one method (Uttarakalamrita) uses 108 numbers,

another modern method (KP) uses 249! The same number indicates a

different ascendant in both the methods. So could we rely on such

methods? Why not? The basis here is not the numbers, but

synchronicity. In KP horary system, sometimes predictions are given

based on static factors like the sublord based on the number given.

This seems illogical to people with no exposure to KP. A thorough

understanding of the phenomenon of Synchronicity can dispel such

doubts. This again, is the basis of some fantastic predictions coming

from a relatively simple and straightforward method like the tarot.

In fact synchronicity is at the root of all oracular systems. The

most important and least understood of such methodologies,

is `Nimitta' or `Shakunam', a branch of Vedic

astrology that deals with the interpretation of `omens', based on the

phenomenon of synchronicity.

 

In India it is quite common to see parrots trained to pick the card,

in a very common native Tarot methodology. I still remember that day

vividly. Many years back, on a Sunday morning, during the hot summer

days in the state of Tamil Nadu in Southern India where I did my BDS,

as I sat under the cool shade of a wonderful tree reading a book on

birds, I saw this colorfully dressed man with an umbrella and a

wooden box which was both a box that held the tarot cards and a cage

for the parrot. I was always fascinated or at least interested in all

such people. So I called him more to know more about him and to amuse

myself, than anything else. He said that he would charge a rupee for

one tarot reading. I paid him five rupees and got ready for

my `reading'. He carefully spread his cards on a red cloth

and opened the door of the wooden cage. The little green parrot

hopped out strutting towards the cards. It pulled each card aside and

eventually picked one with its beak and gave it to the man. He took

the card in his hand and gave the parrot its reward with the other- a

rice grain. The parrot strutted back obediently into its cage with

the grain in its beak. The man now opened the card and proceeded to

interpret the symbol on the card.

 

In the afternoon another tarot reader came along singing the familiar

tune. I guess they walk the streets more on Sundays than any other

weekday. People recognize them by their tune and call them. I opened

the gates and called him in. As usual the parrot picked a card. It

was the same symbol again! My mind was alert now. Was this man

related to the other reader? Had he sent this second reader? Could

they have trained their parrots to pick a card of their choice

somehow? I was very skeptical, to say the least. I knew that some of

the readers were unscrupulous and made money by trying to sell

talismans after drawing cards that symbolized bad times. I sent him

away after a few minutes, almost convinced that he was trying to

trick me. In the evening, I was coming back from an ashram in a

nearby village, after my regular Sunday discussions with a monk. I

was riding back through the busy streets and suddenly noticed the row

of tarot readers sitting on the footpath near the bus stand. I parked

my motorbike and walked to one of them, an elderly looking reader

with compassionate eyes and big whiskers. I paid him the customary

rupee and squatted on the straw mat. The parrot came out and picked a

card as usual. I held my breath and waited for him to open the card.

THE SAME SYMBOL AGAIN! Not one. Not two. Three times! Synchronicity,

a-causal meaningful coincidence(s)!!! Needless to say the relevance

of the symbol became clear in the next few days.

 

Going by the phenomenon of synchronicity, if the mechanisms behind

the oracular prognostications of oracles like the I Ching are none

other than synchronicity and the holographic nature of reality, then

pushing a computer button at a moment thus and generating a Hexagram

is perhaps no different than throwing coins or dice. Whether one

picks a card, or throws dice, or cowries, or asks for a number, or

uses york sticks, the result is the same. All these methods are

equally effective.

 

Let me narrate an incident to you. I was sitting in a business

meeting in India. We were assessing the viability of a particular

project. Normally I allow myself as well as others, to assess any

business situation by regular methods first. Any astrological methods

are done as a final check. At one stage, both the business partners

sitting there suggested that I should check what was indicated

through some form of divination. I decided to use I Ching on this

occasion. Let me tell you that sometimes I draw a hexagram by a very

unconventional method instead of using coins or york sticks. I close

my eyes and let a number appear in my mind. This happens passively

without one having to try really. Let me also clarify that this does

not involve any psychic abilities and that anybody can try this as

long as one is capable of letting a number come up naturally without

any efforts- psychic or rational. On this occasion I could visualize

the number 34. I had noted it down. But on the insistence of one

member there, we called an employee who was conversant with the I

Ching (he had learnt it under my influence) and asked him to draw a

hexagram. Using three coins, he drew a hexagram. The final hexagram

was the 34th! Two different methods of arriving at the symbol by two

people gave the same result!

 

Let me quote Jung here. "Synchronicity . . . consists of two

factors:

a) An unconscious image comes into consciousness either directly

(i.e., literally) or indirectly (symbolized or suggested) in the form

of a dream, idea, or premonition. b) An objective situation coincides

with this content. The one is as puzzling as the other"

("Synchronicity: An Acausal Connecting Principle"," CW 8, par.

858.)

 

What he says is clearly illustrated in the above-narrated incident.

Jung speaks of two factors:

a.)An unconscious image comes into consciousness either

1.directly i.e. literally (the number 34 visualized in the mind in

this case),

2·or indirectly symbolized or suggested (the 34th hexagram

drawn by the coin method, being the symbol here) in the form of a

dream, idea, or premonition.

 

b.)An objective situation (the viability of the project)

coincides with this content.

 

One thing should be remembered here- the significance of symbols. A

symbol is the best possible expression for something unknown. Tools

like Astrology, Tarot and the I Ching, all afford us symbols rich

with meaning. Of course astrology affords the most comprehensive

system of symbols, symbols that serve as a guide to the human psyche.

It gives us a symbolic description of the individual's mind, the

various forces that lie within the psyche and within the universe,

and their manifestations. Thus astrology can help us to understand

what the individual is like inside. External events arise out of

these psychological roots. Predictions are interpretations based on

these psychological symbols. Most predictive texts explore the

probable manifestations of such symbols. Hence the student should

remember that the predictive guidelines are secondary, occupying only

a second place, with the symbols rightfully occupying the first

place. Originally there were no words, only symbols. Ultimately words

were appended to the symbols. After that, people relied more on the

words and neglected the symbols. Gradually the profound significance

of the symbols became unfamiliar and obscure to the people. Yet words

and symbols are equally important. They are forms and essence. Only

by relying on both of them can the mystery of any divination system

be fully revealed. Moreover each separate symbol is related to all

the others in the system, emphasizing the interconnectedness of

everything. Right interpretation of these symbols comes with right

understanding.

 

It all depends on the level of understanding of the astrologer or

practitioner. To one person the answer appears as clear as day; to

another, shadowy as twilight; to a third, dark as night. The longer

one practices, the deeper becomes one's understanding of the

symbolism of the particular method employed, and there is no end to

it. No practitioner or user can see in a spiritual tool, anything

beyond his own level of thinking at that stage. One has to agree with

Dane Rudhyar that, "No astrologer- and as well no psychoanalyst-

can interpret a life and destiny at a level higher than that at which

he himself functions". Only the user can decide upon the

importance and meaning of a particular method for him or her.

 

Nichola Tesla, an eminent physicist opined that, "The day science

begins to study non-physical phenomena, it will make more progress in

one decade than in all the previous centuries of its existence."

That decade is knocking at our door. The coming decade will see this

happening. Quantum physics has already opened a dialogue with other

arts and sciences. Art, philosophy, poetry, physics, psychology,

medicine and astrology will soon merge into the One vast Source.

Multidisciplinary studies into the cross roads between some of these

fields will interest more and more seekers, eventually leading

us `Back to our Cosmic Roots'- the One Source of all.

 

What will be its impact on Astrology as an academic subject?

Astrology will have to be ready for its new (?) role in this decade.

More and more astrologers will go beyond the traditional role

of "fortune tellers" and assume the role that they should

actually play. But one should not mistake the "fooling around"

approach to psychology that some tropical astrologers do in the name

of "psychological readings". Most vedic astrologers feel that

psychological astrology is for lesser brains who dare not predict,

while some western astrologers look down upon predicting as

"fortune telling". As an astrologer who studied and practiced

both the approaches, I feel that both are wrong. How can one predict

without understanding the psychological roots? On the other hand how

would one be sure that all this psychological astrology is right

unless one is able to predict fairly well based on one's

understanding of such psychological roots. I feel that the primary

purpose of astrology is not fortune telling, but an exploration of

consciousness, a journey into the psyche, into the unconscious forces

which stem from the past vasanas and samskaras, into the shadow (a

term used by Carl Jung which comes close to the tantric papa

purusha), into the universe that we have within us, into the conflict

between the opposing forces and the process of attaining equilibrium.

Of course these forces manifest as our (as well as others')

reactions to situations,situations that we attract to ourselves

because of these unconscious drives and forces (vasanas and

samskaras), which thus indirectly influence our life path. Fortune

telling based on such symbols of the psyche like the horoscope,

dreams, omens etc is the most ordinary usage of this knowledge,

albeit an application prone to error due to various factors. But the

highest benefit of a study of this kind of a subject is self-

actualisation or individuation, a process that assists the individual

in an expression of him SELF, taking him to the final stages of

Nirvana. Astrology can help an individual in integrating the many

facets of the psyche to become him or her-SELF. When this happens the

individual feels a sense of psychic "Wholeness". Don't

the ancient

texts promise that anyone who studies and teaches astrology is

assured of final liberation (Moksha)? Perhaps that is the final goal

of a supra science like astrology.

 

 

NOTE: Every issue of the Journal will introduce one method or system

of divination or oracle. This issue carries an article on the I

Ching, a Chinese oracle based on cyclic changes. The next issue will

have an in depth article on `Panchapakshi", a system of

divination propounded by the ancient Tamil siddha sages. This unique

and highly sublime system symbolizes the cycles of the five elements

symbolized through five Cosmic birds. Subsequent issues will carry

articles on other horary methods like `Sarvatobhadra Chakra',

Swara sastra, Ashtamangala, Shakunam, Lakota and other such methods

of prognostication. It is hoped that the readers will be able to

appreciate better and put into practice the principle of

Synchronicity, with a better understanding of the symbols employed by

various systems. While each of us can adopt one system as the

principal one, the others may be employed as adjuncts to the

principal system. With this composite approach, the degree of

understanding will be higher.

 

 

For a first hand account of Carl Jung's ideas and an illustration

of the broad scope and interrelationship of his interests one may

refer The Collected Works of C.G. Jung. 20 vols. Bollingen Series XX,

translated by R.F.C. Hull, edited by H. Read, M. Fordham, G. Adler,

and Wm. McGuire. Princeton University Press, Princeton,1953-1979.