People travelling (transporting their bodies) tend to transport their minds and become unaware of their immediate surroundings. That is why it is possible to travel several miles on a motorway with no memory of that part of the journey. A lack of novelty disconnects us. This is the normal humdrum state of many people.
But if you place the word 'Blue' in travelling people's minds, they will see blue everywhere they look. Or red. It will appear as if blue (or red) has some significance.
The world is unsurprisingly full of random coincidences. If you are in humdrum state, you won't be aware of most of them. But if you are, in the zen sense, fully aware, you will notice many of them.
And, if you are 'tuned in', or sensitised, you may impose significance on these random events. But there is no significance, except internally.
There is no statistical evidence that Friday 13th is more dangerous than any other, or that walking under ladders, or seeing black cats have any significance other than heightening sensitivity to other events that occur in association.
My position is that all these are internally significant (ie in the mind), but externally (as a descritpion of reality) insignificant. Such things as the I-Ching or the Tarot are interesting to study for the internal effects. You can't be me, I'm taken
Not quite. If you're truly in the Zen state, more coincidences will happen.
And they will be outrageous coincidences that have no business happening, and simply don't happen at all when you're not in the Zen state.
Selective attention only goes so far as an explanation. (Based on my experience, anyway.)
But that doesn't explain the outrageous coincidences.
Here's a koan for ye.
"I'm old and forgetful," said Joshu. "Have I met you before?"
The monk answered, "No sir, you have not."
"Well then, sit down and have a cup of tea with me," said Joshu.
Another monk came up to ask Joshu a question.
"Yes sir, of course you have," said the second monk.
Later, when the others were gone, the managing monk of the monastery came over to Joshu, who was making another pot of tea.
"How is it," said the manager, "that you make the same offer of tea whatever the reply to your question?"
At this Joshu stood up.
"Manager!" he shouted. "Are you still here?"
"Of course I am!" the manager answered.
(Stolen and modified from here.)
Don't fight forces, use them R. Buckminster Fuller.
(Or as we call it in the UK - Mornington Crescent.)
