A Chain of Coincidences: A Multifaceted Interpretation of Meaningful Encounters

Introduction: What a Chain of Coincidences Asks

The recent experience of frequently encountering unexpected people embodies a universal question many individuals hold. For instance, a chance encounter with a famous artist whose music one had listened to for ten years, meeting people at a familiar bar who share a common illness or creative understanding, and discovering surprising commonalities with people met through social media—all these events prompt a deep reflection on whether there is a "necessity" rather than mere coincidence. Notably, the strong psychological impact of the encounter with the artist, leading to "confusion and returning home without buying anything," suggests that these events may hold a special meaning beyond the ordinary. This experience has led to questions such as, "Was this person connected to me in a past life, or were they an ancestor of mine, or did my ancestors guide me?" which delve into personal history and spiritual connections.

Furthermore, the question, "Physicochemically, matter attracts, but do people attract each other mentally?" demonstrates a desire to connect scientific perspectives with spiritual phenomena. It is also noteworthy that the individual observes the natural cycle of people entering and leaving their life, interpreting this as a "natural law," and referring to the law of karma: "Cause and effect, selfless acts that seem unrewarding will eventually return to oneself, whether good or bad." The intuition that "there is something important to cherish in the people I coincidentally meet in reality" suggests that these encounters are deeply involved in the individual's inner growth and life direction.

This report aims to analyze these personal events not merely as coincidences, but from multifaceted perspectives including depth psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience, in addition to spiritual concepts such as past lives, karma, and ancestral guidance, and philosophical viewpoints, to present a new interpretation. By not limiting itself to a single academic field, this report seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding that matches the depth and breadth of these questions, affirming the individual's experiences and offering insights for future relationships and self-growth.

The "confusion" experienced in this series of events suggests that unexpected and powerful occurrences had such a psychological impact that they temporarily halted normal daily activities. This psychological upheaval is a natural reaction when confronted with new information or experiences that cannot be processed within existing cognitive frameworks, leading to a subsequent search for "meaning" in the question, "What is the necessity contained in coincidental encounters?".1 People tend to consciously seek meaning in coincidental events because they "unconsciously become highly sensitive to things they are interested in and acquire information".2 This feeling of "meaning" is a phenomenon that occurs within an individual's mind and largely depends on their interpretation.1 Therefore, this "confusion" is not merely a negative state, but a psychological preparatory stage for finding new meaning, and the subsequent process of "meaning-making" is an indispensable element in experiencing and recognizing specific phenomena. Such strong emotional and cognitive upheaval can serve as an opportunity to enhance adaptability (resilience) during changes in self-concept or life transitions.3 In other words, this "confusion" can be seen not just as a temporary setback, but as a sign of self-transformation.

Furthermore, as the individual states, "He sincerely listened to my illness," and "I met people who had similar illnesses," the commonality of "illness" is a theme directly related to personal vulnerability and deep concerns. Encounters with others who can share this theme have the potential to create deeper empathy and bonds than general commonalities (such as hobbies).6 Self-disclosure and mutual understanding are key to increasing intimacy 6, and "empathy," the ability to feel as if what others are doing is happening to oneself, is explained as being related to the brain's "mirror neurons".7 Sharing a common difficulty like illness promotes deeper self-disclosure and empathy, strengthening unconscious connections between individuals and intensifying the feeling of "being on the same wavelength".8 Such shared experiences may also lead to "soul growth" and "karma resolution" from a spiritual perspective.9 These encounters reinforce the individual's intuition that "there is something important to cherish" and serve as external support or learning opportunities for confronting their inner challenges.

Chapter 1: The Depths of Meaningful Coincidence: "Synchronicity"

Carl Jung's Definition and Examples of Synchronicity

Synchronicity is a concept introduced by Carl Gustav Jung, the founder of Swiss analytical psychology, in 1952. Its core refers to "two events that are not causally related occurring simultaneously in a way that seems more than mere coincidence".2 In Japanese, it is mainly translated as "共時性 (kyōjisei)," but can also be translated as "同時性 (dōjisei)" or "同時発生 (dōji hassei)".13 Jung positioned it as an "acausal connecting principle" to explain events occurring simultaneously in distant places that cannot be explained by conventional causality.14

Specific examples include phenomena like a "hunch" where "you think of a friend you haven't seen in a while, and coincidentally, that person calls you".2 Patterns where a mental state materializes, such as "something seen in a dream happening in reality" or "a premonition coming true," are also considered a type of synchronicity.2 Furthermore, events that bring about life changes or hints, such as taking an earlier train than usual for commuting and later avoiding a delay at work, are also seen as synchronicity.2

How the Individual's Experience Can Be Interpreted as Synchronicity

The individual's experiences—the "coincidental encounter with an artist whose music they had listened to for 10 years," meeting people at a familiar bar with whom they "shared a common illness or creative understanding," and discovering "surprising commonalities" with people met through Instagram—can be interpreted as typical examples of synchronicity, or "meaningful coincidences," as proposed by Jung.2

In analytical psychology, synchronicity is often experienced when some kind of turning point occurs.14 Synchronicity is a phenomenon that provides what a person truly needs, and it is also said to be a sign of some change, such as a precursor to good things happening or the timing to move to the next step.15 The individual's own contemplation of "What is the necessity contained in coincidental encounters?" aligns with the core of synchronicity, which is the search for "meaning" behind events. From this, it can be inferred that the series of events the individual is currently experiencing is highly likely to be a sign of an important turning point or change in their life.

The Process by Which Unconscious and Conscious Minds Weave "Meaning"

Synchronicity is deeply related to Jung's concept of the "collective unconscious".21 The collective unconscious is positioned below the personal unconscious and is a layer that is common to humanity regardless of race or nationality, a "higher dimension where we are connected" that cannot be consciously accessed.22 This collectivity is the historical, social, and biological part that all humans share in the deep unconscious 21, and synchronicity is also considered an objective manifestation of "archetypes," which are universal images and patterns arising from this collective unconscious.21

On the other hand, as the individual states, "unconsciously, I become highly sensitive to things I am interested in and acquire information" 2, there is also an aspect where an individual's conscious or unconscious interest heightens "selective attention" to specific information or events, making them perceive coincidences more strongly.2 Selective attention is a cognitive function that allows one to select and focus only on information perceived as important.25

While the view that "feeling something is meaningful" is a "phenomenon occurring only in one's mind" and "depends on interpretation" is presented 1, it is also pointed out that "only those who strongly desire meaningful coincidences will notice synchronistic phenomena".2 This act of "finding meaning" itself becomes a "preparation for receiving" synchronicity, suggesting that it can trigger awareness of further synchronistic phenomena. This emphasizes the active aspect where the conscious process of "meaning-making" promotes the unconscious recognition of synchronicity.

Synchronicity is not merely an isolated phenomenon but is suggested to be closely linked to an individual's psychological developmental stage and important life milestones.14 The fact that the individual is currently experiencing many "meaningful coincidences" can be interpreted as an internal change in their life, where an important turning point is occurring or about to occur, manifesting as external events (encounters). This turning point is thought to be deeply related to the process of introspection and self-transformation brought about by the individual's personal difficulty, "illness." Life transitions often involve changes in human relationships 4, and synchronicity can accelerate these changes or bring "key people" or "hints" necessary for personal growth.15

The phenomenon where the individual states, "creative common ground has emerged," suggests that it goes beyond mere superficial interests and that a deeper level of resonance is occurring by touching the layer of the collective unconscious. The collective unconscious is described as "the unconscious common to humanity" and "connected at a higher dimension".22 In particular, this collectivity is pointed out as "the historical, social, and biological part that all humans share in the deep unconscious".21 Creative common ground can be interpreted as the activation of universal images and patterns (archetypes) that lie deeper than the individual unconscious (personal unconscious), which then manifest as shared creativity. Connections through the collective unconscious can be the source of "mental attraction" that transcends physical distance and normal communication. This can be seen as one of the mechanisms behind the feeling of "being on the same wavelength" and the spiritual "soul connection" mentioned later.9

To help the individual specifically understand what type of synchronicity their experience falls under, based on Jung's theory, the following table summarizes the types of synchronicity and their examples.

Table 1: Types of Synchronicity and Examples

TypeDescriptionExampleRelevance to the Individual's Experience1. Correspondence between Mental State and External EventA phenomenon where an individual's internal psychological state (thoughts, feelings, dreams, premonitions) meaningfully aligns with an external physical event without a causal relationship.

"You think of a friend you haven't seen in a while, and coincidentally, that person calls you" 2; something seen in a dream happens in reality, a premonition comes true.2

The coincidental encounter with the artist whose music they had listened to for a long time. The strong interest and feelings towards the artist may have existed at an unconscious level, manifesting as an encounter in the real world.2. Similar Phenomena in Mind and Body Occurring at a DistanceWhen events occurring physically far away or the psychological state of others simultaneously manifest as similar phenomena in one's own mind or body.

Person A was about to call, and at the same time, Person A called them.2

Meeting people at a bar and finding common ground in illness or creative interests. This can be seen as a phenomenon where their internal states resonated and aligned at a deep level.3. Meaningful Coincidence at a Life Turning PointWhen specific events occur meaningfully and seemingly coincidentally during a significant turning point or period of change in an individual's life. These events are considered signs that bring new directions or learning.

Taking an earlier train than usual and avoiding a delay.2 Being introduced to a key person for work by someone sitting next to them at a gathering; finding all the answers they needed in a book they picked up by chance at a bookstore.15

Meeting an artist who sincerely listened to their illness, encountering people with the same illness, and finding creative common ground while dealing with their own illness. These encounters may be important for the individual's new life stage and deeper self-understanding.4. Constellation

A phenomenon where multiple seemingly unrelated events occur concentratedly at a specific time, and they collectively appear to have a unified meaning. It is considered important for internal mental situations to align with external occurrences, forming a constellation.14

Jung's story of the scarab beetle and the woman.14

The individual's overall feeling that the entire series of "coincidental encounters" is not a collection of isolated events but is "necessarily" triggered by a specific theme (illness, creative pursuit, self-growth).

Chapter 2: Mechanisms of Mental Attraction: Psychological and Neuroscientific Perspectives

Psychological Factors of "Being on the Same Wavelength" (Similarity, Proximity, Self-Disclosure)

In response to the individual's question, "Physicochemically, matter attracts, but do people attract each other mentally?", psychology studies the feeling of "being on the same wavelength" or "having good chemistry." This feeling refers to a state where one's values are similar, and there is no need to excessively explain or pretend in one's words and actions, leading to a natural sense of calm and relaxation.21 Spending time with someone who can empathize allows one's thoughts and feelings to be accepted without denial, which enhances self-esteem and a sense of security, leading to comfort in being together.21

Several psychological factors contribute to this feeling of "attraction":

• Law of Similarity: People tend to be attracted to others who share similar values, hobbies, personalities, and senses of humor.6 This is often described as "birds of a feather flock together." The individual's feeling of "many commonalities" suggests that this law of similarity is strongly at play.6 Similar upbringing and experiences are also important factors for being on the same wavelength.29

• Law of Proximity: There is a tendency to become friends with people who are physically close, such as colleagues at work or classmates at school. This is due to the "mere-exposure effect," where increased frequency of contact leads to greater liking, and simply meeting more often can increase the feeling of "destiny".6

• Self-Disclosure and Mutual Understanding: When one deeply discusses their personality and values and receives empathy from others, they might feel, "It's destiny that we understand each other so well!" In psychology, the "gradual expansion of self-disclosure" is key to increasing intimacy, and the stronger the "reciprocity of self-disclosure" where the other person also self-discloses, the more rapidly a unique sense of closeness forms.6 The individual's deep conversations about illness and creative themes suggest the deepening of intimacy through self-disclosure.

• Non-Verbal Communication: In human communication, the "Mehrabian's Law" states that when conveying emotions and liking, linguistic information accounts for 7%, auditory information for 38%, and visual information for 55% of the impact.30 The positive first impression of "somehow feeling compatible" 29 may be largely influenced by non-verbal elements such as facial expressions, tone of voice, and gestures.

Biological and Neuroscientific Aspects of Human Relationships (Hormones, Mirror Neurons)

The instinct for human attraction is underpinned by powerful hormonal mechanisms. For example, oxytocin, known as the "love hormone" or "bonding hormone," rapidly increases with physical and sexual contact, strengthening trust and attachment to the other person. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in the reward system, creates feelings of pleasure and exhilaration when interacting with or spending time with someone. These hormones contribute to the brain's mechanism of deepening attachment to the point of feeling "incredibly good" with that person.6

Furthermore, "empathy," the ability to feel as if what others are doing is happening to oneself, is said to be related to the brain's nerve cells, "mirror neurons".7 Research from Kobe Gakuin University suggests that when close friends feel "on the same wavelength," their brain activities may synchronize.33 This can be interpreted as a brain-level resonance phenomenon similar to physicochemical "attraction."

The Influence of Cognitive Biases That Make "Coincidence" Feel Like "Necessity"

Several cognitive biases are thought to influence why people perceive "coincidental" events as "necessary."

• Confirmation Bias: This is a type of cognitive bias where people tend to selectively gather information that confirms their existing preconceptions or hypotheses, while ignoring or downplaying contradictory information.34 The individual's thought, "What is the necessity contained in coincidental encounters with many commonalities?" may be influenced by this bias, causing them to strongly focus on commonalities. When confirmation bias is satisfied, the brain's reward circuit is activated, leading to a feeling of pleasure, as if receiving a "reward" for being "right".35

• Selective Attention: This is a cognitive function that allows one to focus on specific stimuli within an environment, enabling the distinction between incidental and important stimuli.25 The individual's statement, "unconsciously, I become highly sensitive to things I am interested in and acquire information" 2, is precisely an example of selective attention at work.

• Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon (Frequency Illusion): This phenomenon occurs when one encounters a new word or concept and, having newly recognized it, unconsciously starts to seek out information that matches it.26 It is possible that as the individual became more aware of commonalities, they began to perceive encounters with people sharing similar commonalities more strongly.

In response to the individual's specific question, "Physicochemically, matter attracts, but do people attract each other mentally?", multiple mechanisms from a scientific perspective suggest that the feeling of "mental attraction" is created by psychological factors such as the "law of similarity," "law of proximity," and "self-disclosure" 6, biological factors such as "hormones" 6, and neuroscientific factors such as "brain activity synchronization due to mirror neurons".33 This is not a single "attraction" but a complex phenomenon involving multiple layers of factors, from unconscious physiological responses to conscious sharing of values. The "confusion" experienced by the individual can be interpreted as a result of these multi-layered attractions acting strongly at once, exceeding normal cognitive processing capacity. The feeling of "being on the same wavelength" is perceived as the sum total of these multi-layered attractions. In particular, brain activity synchronization suggests a deep level of resonance beyond words, and it is highly probable that such deep-seated "attractions" were at play behind the strong experience (encounter with the artist) that caused the individual's "confusion." This suggests that the quality of human relationships is supported not only by superficial interactions but also by deep psychological and biological mechanisms.

Confirmation bias and selective attention explain the human tendency to focus on specific information and emphasize events that align with it.25 On the other hand, Jung proposed that synchronicity is a "meaningful coincidence" that is more than just a cognitive bias.2 While these two might seem contradictory, they can be interpreted as complementary. That is, cognitive biases may function as psychological filters for "recognizing and finding meaning" in synchronicity. The fact that the individual asks, "What is the necessity contained in coincidental encounters?" and "consciously tries to find meaning" in them 2 is an important step in experiencing synchronicity and deepening its meaning. When cognitive biases are at play, the individual feels "meaning" more strongly, which in turn increases their sensitivity to further synchronistic phenomena, creating a positive feedback loop. This suggests that an individual's internal state (e.g., awareness of illness) unconsciously increases their receptivity to information and people related to that theme, thereby increasing the opportunities for "meaningful coincidences" to be recognized.

To provide a multifaceted explanation from a scientific perspective for the individual's specific question, "Do people attract each other mentally, just as matter attracts physicochemically?", the following table summarizes the psychological and biological factors that contribute to human attraction.

Table 2: Psychological and Biological Factors of Human Attraction

CategoryFactorDescriptionPsychological FactorsLaw of Similarity

People tend to be attracted to others who share many commonalities in values, hobbies, personality, and sense of humor.6

Law of Proximity (Mere-Exposure Effect)

Physical closeness and frequent contact increase liking for others.6

Self-Disclosure and Mutual Understanding

Deeply discussing one's personality and values and receiving empathy increases intimacy.6

Non-Verbal Communication

Facial expressions, tone of voice, and gestures (Mehrabian's Law) have a greater impact on impressions than verbal content.30

Biological/Neuroscientific FactorsHormones

Oxytocin (trust, attachment) and dopamine (pleasure, exhilaration) contribute to attachment formation and relationship deepening.6

Mirror Neurons

Involved in empathy towards others and the synchronization of brain activity when observing others' actions, creating a deep level of resonance.7

Cognitive BiasesConfirmation Bias

The tendency to selectively perceive and reinforce information that aligns with one's beliefs or hypotheses, making it easier to interpret coincidences as "necessity".34

Selective Attention

The function of focusing consciousness on important information, leading to a stronger perception of encounters related to specific interests.21

Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon (Frequency Illusion)

The phenomenon where information once recognized appears more frequently thereafter, reinforcing the perception of commonalities.26

Chapter 3: Soul Connections and Ancestral Guidance: A Spiritual Interpretation

Spiritual Concepts of Soul Connections, Such as Past Lives and Soulmates

As the individual asks, "Was this person connected to me in a past life?", from a spiritual perspective, there is a belief that encounters with people are related to past life connections. It is said that when one meets someone with whom they had a past life connection, they feel a sense of nostalgia, as if they have known them before, even if it is their first meeting.21 This suggests the possibility that the subconscious is working to detect connections from past lives.18

Other characteristics of people with whom one had a past life connection include: "synchronicity occurs frequently," "many commonalities (physical characteristics, behaviors, values, traumas, consistent family environments)," "feeling calm/energized when together," and "appearing in dreams".18 The individual's statement, "surprisingly many commonalities with me," strongly aligns with these characteristics.

"Soulmate" refers to "those with a soul connection," combining "soul" and "mate".9 Soulmates belong to the same "group soul" and have met many times through repeated reincarnations, often having "deep connections from past lives".9 Encounters with soulmates are described as "reunions," and even if memories are lost, the soul remembers, so one might feel as if they have met before, even on a first encounter.9

Common characteristics of soulmates include: "conversations flow and values align," "synchronicity (meaningful coincidences) increases with deeper soul connections," "meeting at life's turning points," and "a relationship that fosters mutual growth".9 The individual's experiences (common illness, creative common ground, many commonalities) overlap significantly with these soulmate characteristics. Soulmates are companions who strive together for soul refinement and are said to be beings who teach one's soul mission and what needs to be done.9

The Influence of Ancestral Protection and Guidance on Encounters

The individual also wonders, "Did my ancestors guide me?" In spiritual interpretations, people protected by ancestors or deities are said to have a "mystic cross" on their palm, indicating strong intuition, frequent ability to escape critical situations, or being coincidentally helped.38 Such people are also said to be "good people" who can genuinely appreciate fortunate events.38

Furthermore, just as the swallowtail butterfly is seen as a "messenger of God" or "guiding the souls of the deceased," certain natural phenomena can be interpreted as messages or guidance from ancestors or deities.39 While the direct mechanism of "ancestral guidance" is not scientifically proven, in a spiritual worldview, there is a belief that unseen beings arrange encounters or send specific signs. This is based on the conviction that an invisible force works to bring about necessary encounters during an individual's internal state or life milestones.

The Profound Connections Woven by the Collective Unconscious

Jung's collective unconscious is considered a layer that transcends personal experience, sharing universal images and patterns common to humanity.21 While Freud focused on the personal unconscious, Jung conceived of a vast layer of the collective unconscious beneath the personal unconscious.22 This collective unconscious is not confined within the mind but extends as "a kind of field" spanning both the inner and outer worlds.17

Synchronicity is an objective manifestation of this collective unconscious and is associated with archetypes.21 The common understanding and deep connections experienced by the individual may also have their background in resonance at the level of this collective unconscious, not just the personal unconscious. This universal layer can create connections that transcend individual consciousness and become a factor that makes certain encounters feel "necessary."

The individual's spiritual questions about "necessity" and "past life connections" are closely linked to the psychological feeling of "being on the same wavelength".9 This state of "being on the same wavelength" is explained psychologically by "similarity of values," "increased self-esteem," and "synchronization of brain activity".21 From a spiritual perspective, these psychological and physiological affinities can be interpreted as "soul connections" or "past life ties." In other words, spiritual concepts provide a framework for expressing the deep resonance and affinity people feel, while psychological and neuroscientific mechanisms substantiate that feeling as an "experience." This integrated perspective will allow the individual to understand their experiences from multiple angles and gain confidence in their intuition.

The individual's commonality of "illness" suggests that it is not merely a coincidence but an "encounter" set for spiritual purposes such as soul growth or karma resolution.9 These encounters are thought to play a role in strengthening the individual's intuition that "there is something important to cherish."

While the collective unconscious is a universal layer, synchronicity is deeply influenced by an individual's "sensitivity," as "only those who strongly desire meaningful coincidences will notice synchronistic phenomena".2 This suggests that an individual's internal state and interests (e.g., awareness of illness or creative pursuits) act like a "tuning fork," increasing their receptivity to specific information and people, and allowing them to more strongly perceive universal patterns and connections existing within the collective unconscious. When this individual "sensitivity" increases, the profound connections woven by the collective unconscious are more likely to manifest as concrete encounters and shared understandings.

Chapter 4: The Natural Order of Human Relationships and the Law of Karma

The Cycle of Encounters and Departures: Life Transitions and the Process of Self-Growth

Human relationships are constantly changing, existing within a cycle of encounters and departures.40 This cycle is deeply intertwined with individual growth and life transitions. Research indicates that adults experience an average of 36 "life-altering events," which translates to roughly once every 18 months.5 These transitions are thought to involve changes in life roles, human relationships, daily life, and self-concept.4

New encounters provide opportunities for transitioning to new stages of life and for self-growth. People with positive thinking tend to attract positive people, and relationships with negative people may naturally decrease.41 This suggests that an individual's internal state influences the quality of the human relationships they attract. Furthermore, as values and interests change during the process of self-growth, discrepancies may arise with previously close friends, leading to estrangement.19 This can be understood as part of the natural order where human relationships are constantly dynamic and change in accordance with individual growth.

The Law of Karma (Cause and Effect): The Universal Principle of Actions Returning

As the individual states, "Cause and effect, selfless acts that seem unrewarding will eventually return to oneself, whether good or bad," the law of karma (業, gō) in Buddhism refers to "actions," and from a spiritual perspective, it is interpreted as a causal relationship carried over from past lives to the present life.36 This law states a universal principle that both good and bad actions will inevitably return to oneself in some form.36

Specifically, actions such as lying, betraying a partner in love, causing suffering and harm to others, bullying and speaking ill of others, using negative words, harboring resentment, or wishing misfortune upon others are considered negative karma that will return to oneself.36 For example, acts of bullying or speaking ill of others are merely projecting one's negative energy onto others, and ultimately, they are believed to return to oneself as one's own weakness of heart or lack of confidence.36 Karma is said to arise simultaneously with the action and is completed by taking responsibility; therefore, actions for which one feels no guilt will accumulate karma without being resolved.36

On the other hand, good deeds always bring positive results.43 Acts of kindness to others or helping those in need will eventually return to oneself. In particular, "in-toku" (陰徳), or accumulating good deeds without others knowing, is said to be highly effective.36 The individual's mention of "selfless acts that seem unrewarding" suggests an intuitive grasp of the law of karma, where good deeds done without expectation of reward ultimately bring positive results to oneself. Such actions are said to lead to the resolution of karma and soul growth through self-awareness and reflection, gratitude and forgiveness, and methods such as meditation and spiritual healing.10

The "cycle" of human relationships is understood as a universal law based on the natural order.44 This cycle is deeply related to an individual's internal state, particularly their "vibration." The subconscious forms an individual's "vibration," and positive beliefs and emotions are said to create a high vibrational state.27 This increases the likelihood of the law of attraction working to attract positive outcomes and relationships.41 The individual's current positive encounters can be interpreted as a result of their internal changes, such as their approach to illness and exploration of new interests, generating a higher "vibration" that attracts people who resonate with it.

The individual's feeling that "selfless acts that seem unrewarding will eventually return to oneself" aligns deeply with the law of karma. Such altruistic acts, done without expecting anything in return, bring a deeper level of "reward" that transcends monetary gain or loss. Specifically, expressing gratitude or participating in selfless service can not only deepen relationships with others but also bring unexpected joy and fulfillment to oneself.43 This creates a positive feedback loop where positive actions generate positive emotions, which in turn attract more positive relationships and events. This cycle is part of the natural order of human relationships and is thought to promote inner richness and harmony with the external world.

Conclusion: Living the Necessity of Coincidence

The series of "coincidental encounters" experienced by the individual is concluded to be a deeply meaningful and multi-layered phenomenon that can be interpreted from the perspectives of depth psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, and spirituality, rather than merely as probabilistic events.

These encounters are typical manifestations of Jung's "synchronicity," understood as "meaningful coincidences" that transcend causal relationships. In particular, the "confusion" currently experienced by the individual can be interpreted as a psychological preparatory stage that promotes the formation of a new self-concept and enhances adaptability during a significant life transition. Furthermore, the commonality of "illness" goes beyond superficial similarities, enabling deep self-disclosure and empathy, and strengthening the feeling of "being on the same wavelength" through the synchronization of brain mirror neuron activity.

Mental "attraction" arises from a complex interplay of multi-layered mechanisms, including psychological factors such as similarity, proximity, and self-disclosure; hormones like oxytocin and dopamine; and biological/neuroscientific factors such as brain activity resonance through mirror neurons. These scientific mechanisms underpin the deep sense of affinity and connection that people feel. Meanwhile, cognitive biases such as confirmation bias and selective attention function as psychological filters through which people perceive and interpret these "meaningful coincidences," reinforcing the individual's process of feeling "necessity."

From a spiritual perspective, these encounters can also be interpreted as "reunions" with "past life connections" or "soulmates." The individual's feeling of many commonalities and the sense of calm experienced through these encounters may suggest a deep connection at the soul level. The concept of ancestral guidance reflects the belief that unseen forces arrange necessary encounters during life's milestones or difficult periods. The collective unconscious enables universal connections that transcend individual consciousness, and as an individual's "sensitivity" increases, these profound connections are more likely to manifest as concrete encounters.

Human relationships exist within a natural cycle of encounters and departures, which is closely linked to individual growth and life transitions. This cycle is governed by the law of karma (cause and effect), a universal principle stating that both good and bad actions will return to oneself. The individual's valuing of "selfless acts that seem unrewarding" suggests that actions done without expectation of return generate inner fulfillment and a positive "vibration," which in turn creates a positive feedback loop attracting further beneficial encounters.

From these analyses, the individual's experiences are interpreted not as mere coincidences but as the manifestation of their internal changes and growth processes through interaction with the external world. These encounters hold the potential to be "necessary" opportunities, drawn to the individual for deep purposes such as soul growth or karma resolution, as they confront their "illness" and pursue creative exploration.

The implication derived from this series of events is the importance of finding "meaning" in seemingly coincidental encounters and cherishing them. These encounters can serve as crucial clues for deepening self-understanding, discovering new values, and moving to the next step in life. Listening to one's inner voice, respecting relationships with those encountered, and consistently performing good deeds without ulterior motives will generate further positive cycles, enriching one's life.