Synchronicity

Swiss psychologist Carl Jung loved the idea that life was not simply a series of random events but instead, was the expression of a deeper order. 

He coined the phrase  

synchronicity, which means an acausal (without cause) connection of two or more psycho-physic phenomena. This connection helps an individual attain a greater understanding of self. In more familiar terms, synchronicity means "a meaningful coincidence."  

Even though I continue to be surprised by these meaningful coincidences, I have come to expect them. There seem to be key ingredients in experiencing a life of synchronicity. I'll share with you at the end of this article.

"Heading to Los Angeles," I wrote but didn't elaborate on my Facebook status on the day before my husband Marty and I were to leave. My post got a few thumbs up.  We were going to see my husband Marty's two kids who live in Los Angeles.  His son Sasha was performing with his new bluegrass band, American Primitive.  We'd also spend some time with his daughter Danielle and meet with Deepak, her jewelry manufacturer in downtown L.A.  Danielle's been developing her jewelry line Ella Poe for a couple of years and is a young successful entrepreneur just as her parents were.   

Earlier that week the president of Hay House offered me a contract to write a book!  (More on that another time). On the way to the airport I phoned my book agent to see where we were with the process. He assured me it was working out! I was excited, it was time to celebrate!  I felt like I was in the flow.  We stayed at the Malibu Beach Inn, a hotel right on the beach, and it was pouring rain. That probably sounds horrible to some, but I loved the loud ocean and rain totally nourishes me. I felt like a Saudi Arabian leaving the desert to visit India to watch the monsoon.  It was delightful.   

That night we drove in the rain to see Sasha's band at Froggy's Fish Market in Topanga Canyon. The canyon is one of my favorite places on earth. The band of four was made up oftalented young men, including a blind fiddle player, the only one who legitimately grew up in the land of Bluegrass in Kentucky. They were fantastic, of course.   

One of my favorite restaurants was in Topanga, the Inn of the Seventh Ray, and Marty had never been there. So, when it stopped raining a day or two later, we went there to eat breakfast. It's a magical setting in the canyon among tall eucalyptus trees adjacent to a slow-moving stream. The food is locally grown and organic and we sat outside. I tried to go as often as I can. It feels like home in some way.  After our delicious meal, I insisted Marty see the bookstore at the Inn.   

I was looking for a  new book called American Veda.  As we inched around the tiny bookstore, a woman walked in, and, seeing me, called my name. "Sarah!"  I turned to see a smiling face I didn't recognize.  She quickly told me she was my Facebook friend.  Yikes! I thought, and for a moment was a little freaked out.  "I'm Carmen Joy," she said and I instantly recognized her name and relaxed. I had been receiving her meditation newsletter for years, I loved her message and her graphics. And now here she was.   

Our eyes locked and I felt like I was seeing myself in her.  "I saw on Facebook you were going to be in Los Angeles," she beamed, "I thought of e-mailing you so we could get together for tea, but I just didn't."  I asked if she had had breakfast at the Inn, and she hadn't."We had breakfast down the street," she replied, then introducing me to her daughter Issa who had joined us in the bookstore.  "Our car broke down right outside the Inn."  Just then, the door opened and a man walked in. "Sarah, this is my husband Marty," Carmen announced. I introduced them to my husband Marty and we all laughed.   

The car was in the Inn's parking lot and needed a jump.  Her Marty had been listening to chanting in the car and wore down the battery. The Martys left the bookstore together to get the car going again. I felt like I was with long lost family members. It was magical. We talked about our journey through meditation, how we teach, our practice, our teachers, our lives, and about books. I asked her if she'd heard of the book American Veda. Her eyes lit up, she had just met the author Philip Goldberg a few days earlier at  book signing and had him sign it for her.   

After getting jumper cables from a waiter, the husbands came back in and we left the store together.  Carmen was going to be teaching a meditation class later that day and had to get ready.They invited us to join them at their home to continue our conversations.We followed them through the canyon to Calabasas. On the walls of their home were pictures of teachers my husband and I adored. 

She showed me where she meditates and holds group meditations and retreats. Our lives were so similar: our sensibilities, our passions, our daily practices and our interests were all aligned. Somehow it all felt strangely comfortable and familiar. And we knew it was no accident that the universe had us meet in person.   

Read more about how to create a life of synchronicity. 

Want to reduce stress, feel better, find your inner peace, or feel more connected to everyone and everything?  You can with meditation.   

Even if you've never tried it before, you'll find meditation is easy to learn and to do if you are taught correctly. Once you take a class with the Sedona Meditation Training Company you'll have everything you need to meditate on your own.  Here are upcoming meditation programs in Sedona and Phoenix.

Everyday Meditation Class: Learn how to meditate in as little as 2 hours.  Instruction with Sarah McLean. $145 per person. Reduced rates for seniors, students and veterans.  Or, set up a private class at a convenient time and place for you. Find out more here.  To register for the Everyday Meditation class or to set up a private appointment contact (928)204-0067. Or click here.

• In Sedona,  Saturday, April 16th, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm. Held in a private meditation studio in the Broken Arrow area. Also offered May 15th.   Click here for more info. 
• In Phoenix, Saturday, April 30th, 2:00 - 4:30 pm. Class at Storm Wisdom in Phoenix.   

Primordial Sound Meditation in Sedona, Arizona, Sunday, April 16th, 10 am - 4:30 pm.  Get your own personal mantra as recommended by Deepak Chopra. Taught by Chopra recommended and certified instructor Sarah McLean (who served as the Chopra Center education director.)  Find out more about Primordial Sound Meditation here.

Community Meditations: Everyone is invited. No experience necessary! $10.   

• In Sedona, Sunday, April 17, 5:00 - 6:00 pm at the Sedona Creative Life Center.   Register here for April 17 via PayPal.  
• In Phoenix, Friday, April 29,  6:00 - 7:00 pm at Storm Wisdom.  Register here for April 29th.   

Outside of Sedona or Phoenix?  Listen anytime to  guided meditations here.  Or receive instruction and 3 powerful meditations on the popular CD Meditate. Read more about it here.

Check the calendar for updates including meditation retreats and special events.  Or call 928.204.0067.

Along with the dialogues and presentations, the weekend includes nourishing morning meditations, walks in the red rock wilderness, delicious chef-inspired vegetarian lunches, deep women's wisdom sharing circles, a silent auction, fabulous gifts, opportunities to have your books signed by the authors, and optional spa treatments! It's a weekend not to be missed.

Come a day early and begin the weekend on Saturday, October 8th with an intimate day-long meditation retreat Quiet the Mind and Open the Heart facilitated by actress and advocate Lindsay Wagner  Though the dialogues are open only to women, the one day retreat on October 8 is open to men and women.  

The event is sponsored by Sedona Meditation, Heart Wisdom Journeys, The Sanctuary at Sedona, Stone Nation Rising, Sedona artist Victoria Nelson, and Namaste Publishing.

Get the details, visit www.WomanArising.com  or call 928.202.7995.  Register by April 30 and save $300 (Almost 50%!)  Enchantment Resort is offering reduced rates for participants.

SynchroDestiny with Deepak Chopra in Sedona

May 18 - 22 at Sedona's  Enchantment Resort - noted as one of the world's top 100 hotels - surrounded by the majestic red rock formations of Boynton Canyon.     

Discover a step-by-step process for becoming aware of the opportunities that most people only see in hindsight. You will learn how to use the universal "laws of intention and attention" to tap into your unlimited potential and create your own "good luck" in every area of your life.

Participants receive training from Deepak Chopra and Chopra Center staff as and are guided on an inspirational exploration of the field of pure potentiality and the universal patterns that shape your life - coincidence, karma, consciousness, and intention.   

It's an intensive 5-day retreat which includes deep meditation, heart-opening yoga, and timeless practices for fulfilling your highest human potential. The program also includes:

• Primordial Sound Meditation instruction, including your personal mantra,
• Group meditations
• Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga
• Optional Ayurvedic vegetarian lunches
• Rejoice in your awakening with a special celebration dinner. 

Find out more, call the Chopra Center at 760.494.1629 and speak to  program consultant, Libby Carstensen.  When you you tell them that Sarah McLean sent you Libby will give you an exclusive discount only available from Sedona Meditation. 40 spaces left as of March 21. Email Libby@chopra.com or call 760.494.1629 to find out more. See you there! 

Email us info@sedonameditation.com

Call us (928) 204-0067