Objectives: A multiple case study was undertaken to explore the experience of synchronicity (meaningful coincidence) related to the death of a loved one as a natural healing modality for the bereaved. The specific objectives of this study were to: 1) describe the experience of synchronicity related to the death of a loved one, 2) identify if synchronicity related to the death of a loved one, when experienced by those who are grieving, help to create opportunities for personal transformation and enhanced well-being, and 3) identify if group discussion of individual synchronicity experiences assists in the grief-healing process.
Design: The multiple case study was conducted in a nondenominational community group setting using group sessions, one to one interviews, and written questionnaires. Todaro-Franceschi’s unitary perspective of energy, the theory of nonlocality, and Rogers’ science of unitary human beings provided the theoretical rationale for the study.
Population: Nine widowed females, aged 38-69 volunteered to participate in this study. Five of the participants were of Christian faith ( 4 RC, 1 eclectic), three were of Jewish faith, and one identified herself as simply "eclectic." The causes of death of loved ones varied from trauma (sudden death) to chronic debilitating disease.
Methods: Major themes were identified among the participants’ experiences of synchronicity and a unified description of the phenomenon was constructed using Parse’s analysis-synthesis method. Further thematic analysis was performed using the computer program NVivo.
Findings: Individuals who have suffered the death of a loved one may experience synchronicity related to their dead loved ones. Synchronicity events are nonspacial and nontemporal, and are accompanied by some kind of connecting principle. However, synchronicity events are often discounted as chance events and/or are frequently not shared with others for fear of ridicule. These events have a surrealistic quality and questions of faith or non-faith may arise and be tested. Analysis-synthesis of the data revealed the following paradoxical themes among participants: 1) happy while sad, 2) believing while disbelieving, 3) scared and yet reassured, 4) connected but also disconnected, and 5) feelings of faith/non-faith.
Conclusions: Synchronicity, clearly indicative of the complexity of consciousness, is said to bridge the gap between mind and matter and has been identified by many practitioners as useful in holistic health care practice. Findings suggest that synchronicity related to the death of a loved one can transform individual feelings of grief and isolation into positive feelings of faith, unity, and wonder. It was also identified that the individual sharing of these experiences during group sessions contributed positively to the grief-healing process for the group as a whole.
Implications: Accordingly, it would appear that synchronicity related to the death of a loved one is a natural healing modality for the bereaved and can be useful in practice to assist those who are grieving.
Funded by a grant from the Professional Staff Congress of the City University of New York # 61583-00 30
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