Meaningful Coincidences - by Bernard Beitman (Paperback)

About the Book

"A practical guide to recognizing the benefits of coincidences for psychological and spiritual growth"--

Book Synopsis

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."

Review Quotes

"A pioneering work--Beitman synthesizes findings from diverse disciplines, ranging from theology to biogeochemistry, which are as convincing as they are awe-inspiring. Dr. Beitman expands our understanding of uncanny coincidence by applying his discriminating eye as a former academic researcher and his receptive heart and spirit as a psychiatrist in private practice who engages in these lived mysteries with his patients. Upon reading, expect to experience more meaningful coincidences."-- "Helen Marlo, Ph.D., professor of clinical psychology and the department chair at Notre Dame de Namur"

"Bernard Beitman has spent decades studying coincidences as a curious and intelligent psychotherapist--resulting in this book, which is a tremendous gift to true seekers of the nature of reality. Besides the amazing evidence for human connection via the One Mind and related explanations just emerging from the modern study of human experience, this book provides powerful tools to enable each of us to greatly enrich our minds through expanded awareness of the role of synchronicity and serendipity in our lives. Highly recommended!"-- "Eben Alexander, M.D., neurosurgeon and author of Proof of Heaven"

"A wonderful, highly readable account of meaningful coincidences. The author--a psychiatrist, researcher, podcast host, and more--has devoted considerable talent, time, and resources to legitimizing the study of coincidences. His systemic categorizations of these types of events along with the articulation of coincidence sensitivity and discussions of meta-coincidence make this a uniquely valuable contribution to anyone seriously interested in the field."-- "Joseph Cambray, Ph.D., president-CEO of Pacifica Graduate Institute"

"Bernard Beitman has given us something fundamentally new and helpful here: a careful and rigorous modeling of coincidences that are not just coincidences and then a way of practically integrating them into our lives, thought, and public culture. Many writers have commented on the subject. None have been this careful, this thorough, and, frankly, this eloquent. If I may, Dr. Beitman makes the impossible possible. Welcome to the psychosphere."-- "Jeffrey J. Kripal, Ph.D., author of The Superhumanities"

"I have known Dr. Beitman as an earnest and dogged investigator of what lies beneath the wonder of synchronicity experienced by so many. He goes further than pursuing knowledge about these phenomena for its own sake, however. He has founded a community of fellows who share his drive, drawing from shared wisdom, and thus Beitman's work represents a growing body of data on personal experiences in and around phenomena such as synchronicity and serendipity."-- "Samantha Copeland, Ph.D., philosopher and cofounder and cochair of the Serendipity Society"

"In this fascinating analysis of the anatomy of coincidences, the author dives into what makes coincidences meaningful and what we can learn from them. If you'd like to explore this exciting topic--and learn how to open yourself up to meaningful coincidences-- this book is for you."-- "Christian Busch, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor at NYU and author of The Serendipity Mindset"

"In Meaningful Coincidences, Dr. Beitman argues that meaningful coincidences are both common and normal in everyday life. Brimming with astounding examples, this important book introduces a typology of coincidences that brings much-needed conceptual rigor to their study and understanding. Beitman shows how, regardless of their cause or mechanism, we can use meaningful coincidences to enrich our lives and help heal our fractured society. This book will challenge what you thought you knew about your life and role in the world."-- "Bruce Greyson, M.D., Chester F. Carlson Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Science"

"Is it a mere coincidence that you've noticed this book on coincidences? After you've read it, you may agree with author and psychiatrist Bernard Beitman that some synchronicities are far more than dumb luck. They also provide clues about the holistic fabric of reality that binds everything and everyone together. A thoroughly engaging and well-written examination of a perpetually fascinating form of human experience."-- "Dean Radin, Ph.D., chief scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences"

"Synchronicity connects you with nonlocal awareness and with others. Serendipity is opportunity meets preparedness. This book is an excellent guide."-- "Deepak Chopra, M.D."

"This book is a transdisciplinary look into the nature of connection itself. In tracing the mechanisms and mysteries of coincidence and charting the paradoxical nature of its exploration (for to discover the reason behind a coincidence is to render it no longer one), Beitman delightfully reveals that there is room for data in awe--but also room for awe in data."-- "A. Natasha Joukovsky, author of The Portrait of a Mirror"

"A thoroughly engaging and well-written examination of a perpetually fascinating form of human experience."-- "Dean Radin, Ph.D., chief scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences"

"In this most comprehensive book on meaningful coincidences, Dr. Beitman explains how synchronicity and serendipity can accelerate positive personal and social evolution. An inspiring read."-- "Andrew Weil, M.D., author of 8 Weeks to Optimum Health and Spontaneous Happiness"

About the Author

Bernard Beitman, M.D., a graduate of Yale Medical School, did his psychiatric residency at Stanford University. The former chair of psychiatry of the University of Missouri-Columbia Medical School for 17 years, he writes a blog for Psychology Today on coincidence and is the coauthor of the award-winning book Learning Psychotherapy. The founder of The Coincidence Project, he lives in Charlottesville, Virginia.