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Meaningful Coincidences: How and Why Synchronicity and Serendipity Happen
A comprehensive exploration of the potential of coincidences to expand our understanding of reality and inspire psychological, interpersonal, and spiritual growth
• Scientific and Medical Network's Annual Book Prize for 2022
• Presents a complete catalog of coincidence patterns with numerous illustrative examples
• Defines the many uses and potential pitfalls of coincidences and highlights the situations in which they are most likely to occur
• Explores the range of explanations for coincidences, including the psychosphere as the medium through which many coincidences take place
Each of us has more to do with creating coincidences than we think. In this broad exploration of the potential of coincidences to expand our understanding of reality, psychiatrist Bernard Beitman, M.D., explores why and how coincidences, synchronicity, and serendipity happen and how to use these common occurrences to inspire psychological, interpersonal, and spiritual growth.
Through a complete catalog of coincidence patterns with numerous illustrative examples, Dr. Beitman clarifies the relationship between synchronicity and serendipity and dissects the “anatomy of a coincidence.” He defines coincidence types through their two fundamental constituents--mental events and physical events. He analyzes the many uses of meaningful coincidences as well as their potential problems. He explains how you will see patterns guiding your life decisions and learn to expect that coincidences are more likely to occur during life stressors, as well as times of high emotion and strong need, which helps you be ready to use them when they occur.
Exploring the crucial role of personal agency--individual thought and action--in synchronicities and serendipities, Dr. Beitman shows that there’s much more behind these occurrences than “fate” or “randomness.”
• Scientific and Medical Network's Annual Book Prize for 2022
• Presents a complete catalog of coincidence patterns with numerous illustrative examples
• Defines the many uses and potential pitfalls of coincidences and highlights the situations in which they are most likely to occur
• Explores the range of explanations for coincidences, including the psychosphere as the medium through which many coincidences take place
Each of us has more to do with creating coincidences than we think. In this broad exploration of the potential of coincidences to expand our understanding of reality, psychiatrist Bernard Beitman, M.D., explores why and how coincidences, synchronicity, and serendipity happen and how to use these common occurrences to inspire psychological, interpersonal, and spiritual growth.
Through a complete catalog of coincidence patterns with numerous illustrative examples, Dr. Beitman clarifies the relationship between synchronicity and serendipity and dissects the “anatomy of a coincidence.” He defines coincidence types through their two fundamental constituents--mental events and physical events. He analyzes the many uses of meaningful coincidences as well as their potential problems. He explains how you will see patterns guiding your life decisions and learn to expect that coincidences are more likely to occur during life stressors, as well as times of high emotion and strong need, which helps you be ready to use them when they occur.
Exploring the crucial role of personal agency--individual thought and action--in synchronicities and serendipities, Dr. Beitman shows that there’s much more behind these occurrences than “fate” or “randomness.”
- GenresNonfictionSpirituality
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2022
45 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 13, 2024
Good overview of what might be responsible for coincidences. The beginning is a little too rationally-orientied for my liking but he redeems himself with the latter half of the book where he really gets into metaphysical theories of what might be behind seemingly meaningful coincidences. Even if you don't agree with his metaphysics, he makes a solid case for the therapeutic potential of coincidences and incorporating them into your life.
September 13, 2022
This book is a foundational work establishing Coincidence Studies as a field of inquiry in psychology.
Reading Meaningful Coincidences, I can easily picture a college classroom where students are provided this volume as a text book to introduce them to the emerging field of Coincidence Studies. While quite psychological in history and approach (as explained within this book), this field of inquiry also touches upon sociology, anthropology, the history of science and discovery, religious studies, parapsychology and mysticism. This book provides a comprehensive review of the major terms and types of coincidences that commonly occur -- and guides us through the research and thought underpinning each topic. It's quite remarkable that a book less than 200 pages in length can provide such a comprehensive synthesis of the research and writing available to date on coincidence, synchronicity and serendipity. The stories and examples woven throughout the book further bring it to life, to make this read as enjoyable as it is informative!
Reading Meaningful Coincidences, I can easily picture a college classroom where students are provided this volume as a text book to introduce them to the emerging field of Coincidence Studies. While quite psychological in history and approach (as explained within this book), this field of inquiry also touches upon sociology, anthropology, the history of science and discovery, religious studies, parapsychology and mysticism. This book provides a comprehensive review of the major terms and types of coincidences that commonly occur -- and guides us through the research and thought underpinning each topic. It's quite remarkable that a book less than 200 pages in length can provide such a comprehensive synthesis of the research and writing available to date on coincidence, synchronicity and serendipity. The stories and examples woven throughout the book further bring it to life, to make this read as enjoyable as it is informative!
January 12, 2023
FASCINATING, ENGAGING, FUN!
I could not put this book down. This topic intrigued me so much. I see many of the coincidences in my life and am always amazed by them. Learning more about coincidences, synchronicities, serendipity, and simulpathity was both fun and thought provoking. I know I’ll be better able to use coincidences when they arise while also recognizing the differences between the terminology. I find it so helpful to also look back at what are coincidences to see where they led/guided me and how beneficial they were in helping me to make decisions. This is a great read. Concise and fascinating. Highly recommended.
I could not put this book down. This topic intrigued me so much. I see many of the coincidences in my life and am always amazed by them. Learning more about coincidences, synchronicities, serendipity, and simulpathity was both fun and thought provoking. I know I’ll be better able to use coincidences when they arise while also recognizing the differences between the terminology. I find it so helpful to also look back at what are coincidences to see where they led/guided me and how beneficial they were in helping me to make decisions. This is a great read. Concise and fascinating. Highly recommended.
May 13, 2024
His explanation for coincidence is so weak.
November 19, 2024
It’s a fascinating read however the technicalities can get to you.
April 27, 2025
Bernard Beitman is a psychotherapist, a professor of psychiatry.
This is a very interesting book. Bernard Beitman presents various facts and theories regarding all kinds of coincidences. The author scrutinizes the terms “coincidence”, “synchronicity” and “serendipity”.
Do coincidences really exist? If the answer to this question is positive… then, why do coincidences occur? Is there a “rational” explanation to this phenomenon?
After reading this book you will be able to make an educated guess whether coincidences are created by the human mind, the subconscious mind, God, the Universe, by pure chance or by something else.
I like the fact that the author doesn’t try to convince you that only one explanation is correct.
This is a very interesting book. Bernard Beitman presents various facts and theories regarding all kinds of coincidences. The author scrutinizes the terms “coincidence”, “synchronicity” and “serendipity”.
Do coincidences really exist? If the answer to this question is positive… then, why do coincidences occur? Is there a “rational” explanation to this phenomenon?
After reading this book you will be able to make an educated guess whether coincidences are created by the human mind, the subconscious mind, God, the Universe, by pure chance or by something else.
I like the fact that the author doesn’t try to convince you that only one explanation is correct.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews