While I seem to be on the subject of clowns and dummies, I thought I might as well go ahead and tell you my "Magic" story, which was alluded to in the previous comments. It brought to mind an incident many years ago that has since raised a question or two, questions I've used to look at the nature of reality, which happens to be one of my favorite topics.
It's the winter of 1979, and I'm going to see the movie, "Magic," which is based on a book by William Goldman. Goldman is one of my favorite writers. He also happens to be a favorite for my friend and movie-going companion (same friend that's in my "Deja Vu All Over Again" post of a couple of weeks ago). We'd both read the book and wanted to see the movie. A young actor named Anthony Hopkins, someone we'd heard good things about, was starring in it. Ann-Margaret was playing the female lead, and although I didn't think she was a great actress, it seemed she'd fit the part quite well. We were going to see it at the Cooper in south Minneapolis, one of the new surround sound theaters just gaining momentum in the movie-going biz.
If you've never read it or seen the movie, it's about a ventriloquist and his doll, aka dummy, who have, shall we say, an unusual relationship. It builds accordingly, all leading to the moment when I actually, for the first and last time ever, hid my face momentarily in my companion's shoulder. It was actually scaring the heck out of me and I couldn't watch. Sort of like the kid with her hand over her face peeking through her fingers. For those in the know, it's the scene where the dummy is hiding around the corner in the hallway and you realize in that very moment that things are definitely not what they seem and they're about to get ugly. The movie is not typical horror movie stuff; it's intelligent and has a real story to it, but that doesn't stop it from being scary. The really weird part of the evening was yet to come.
I try to remain calm, but the weird factor is building along with the heebie-jeebies, and I know I'm not alone in this. My companion, who was not entirely unfazed by the movie we'd just seen, knew I was getting ready to bolt. I don't recall now if the guy started talking through his dummy, but I do know we fled with barely time for niceties. I don't recall the discussion that must have surely followed in the car ride home, but we were both left more than a little off-center by it.
Now, I was young and foolish, so the strangeness, although certainly not lost on me, also was not seen from the perspective that I have since gained on this experience. As a matter of fact, I've noticed more and more that the universe seems to be mirroring my thoughts, and often, now that I'm paying closer attention. I see it on bumper stickers, billboards, the computer, in simple incidents that happen in my everyday life. This was the first time I recall it happening so blatantly.
I don't see these as mere coincidences anymore. I see them as something more. What exactly, I'm not certain, but I do know it happens and I'm kind of enjoying it now. It's fun to look at and occasionally ponder. I don't know if I need answers, I doubt it's possible from this human experience, but I am going to continue to acknowledge them. If nothing else, it seems to be affirmation that I'm on a good path and life will keep unfolding before me in the wake of that goodness. Sort of like the number 222, which is another story, for another time.
Hi. Great post, including ricochet allusion to your interest in the nature of reality. Judging from my own experiences regarding the involvement of something we brush off as 'only coincidence', I'd guess you're in for an interesting eye-opening ride, no matter what mile-mark you happen to occupy at this point along it.
ReplyDeleteSeems to me once a person opens that doorway recognizing something I've come to call The Coincidence Coordinators and watching, studying them and their behavior, an entirely new realm of human experience comes into being. I'd go a lot further and suggest the behavior of the Coincidence Coordinators is capable of being studied and premises formed concerning what they actually are, premises tested, retested, premises modified, retested to allow something akin to an understanding of them, or whatever they represent in the nature of reality as human beings experience it.
Which isn't anywhere near the abyss of realization that emerges when a person adopts the perception that the Cooincidence Coordinators cooperate in the experiments and appear to 'desire' recognition and some level of understanding.
Call me crazy. I don't mind.
Enjoyed the post. Gracias, J
I don't like those dummies at all!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I agree with you Teresa about what seems to be coincidences. Not too long ago I was thinking about Jung and also, psychology of the elderly. The next day I went in Goodwill and there was an older copy of Jung's "The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious". You hardly ever find something like this in the stores around here. The next day I was at the library book sale and found an interesting text, not too old, - "The Psychology of Aging" by Belsky for $1.
I found this so trippy, and then on thinking about it recalled how when I am in a particular place of knowing what I want and who I am, these kinds of things happen often. I could go on but the point is I agree with you.
Way weird at the restaurant. I relate to what you are saying. I feel the connection all the time. I think it has something to do with... coincidence, insight, lateral thinking, and synchronicity. My minds notices things more when it is interested.
ReplyDeleteYes! Yes! Yes! I do believe the universe mirrors our thoughts and that sometimes we are being reminded or taught through all the "coincidences" that occur. It's mind-boggling, really.
ReplyDeleteOld Jules, Blogger took my comment prematurely, so I will start again...
ReplyDeleteI find your comments dovetail a great deal with my own thoughts. Since that night in '79, life has offered many such incidents. I love your paragraph about the Coincidence Coordinators, as I've experienced this innumerable times and concur. My question remains: are we creating it as we go, are there beings who support that, does the Universe itself support that, and such? My answer is always yes, at least thus far.
To wit: you mentioned mile-markers. 222 is the number that invariably turns up when I look at them, which is not often, but there it always is...I almost included it in this blog. Another: I almost included this quote in the post, speaking of the abyss: "I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center. Big, undreamed-of things - the people on the edge see them first." Kurt Vonnegut.
I'm very grateful to read your words about these ideas. Nice affirmation.
Linda, See above, regarding the Coincidence Coordinators I referred to, as mentioned by Jules...
ReplyDeleteLove these stories about your books. I have experienced very similar things. All we have to do is ask, apparently. And then pay attention. Thanks for your comments.
Michael, Synchronicity seems to be everywhere once we notice, and all it takes is an interest. Absolutely. Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteBetty, Hey sister, we are on a path here and I'm likin' it. Mind-boggling fun!
ReplyDelete"My question remains: are we creating it as we go, are there beings who support that, does the Universe itself support that, and such? My answer is always yes, at least thus far."
ReplyDeleteI've spent a lot of time experimenting and testing, as well as attempting to use historical data combined with yet-to-happen-but soon-to-be events in a long series of attempts to answer the question you're asking. My particular view at the moment leans in favor of 'neither'. That it's rather, something contained in the nature of time as it relates to the human experience, combined with something else involving our perceptions of free will, acquired knowledge, and equally importantly, what we actually are.
I believe hints exist suggesting it's a riddle that can be solved, and that the solution doesn't have much at all to do with everything we believe we know about ourselves, about time, and about what we are.
Maybe some future post of yours I'll say more. I don't have any plans to put any of this on my own blog. I'm far enough out in left field there in the minds of readers already.
Thanks for the reply.
Jules, Thanks for the further illumination of your thoughts on this. I'm currently working on the notion of all time is simultaneous time, or in other words, not time at all. For me, as I've mentioned in previous posts, spirituality and science are intertwined, particularly with quantum physics. It's all very intriguing to me, the air I breathe.
ReplyDeleteDear Teresa. I think it's true that spirituality and science are intertwined - and also with quantum physics. It is a very exciting theme, and in a few years we will probably know more about this. We'll never know what comes next.
ReplyDeleteBut, if the coincidences guide your life, then it is not good. Your thoughts will unconsciously await a connection to the last coincidence - and then it is no more a coincidence. Am I right or wrong?
I'm a sceptic, but I'm also wondering about coincidences sometimes!
Grethe
Thyra (Grethe), You raise a very interesting and valid point. For me, I like to notice the coincidences, but not let them guide me. I try to just take note of each one and how it might fit into my current thinking, or a recent thought. Otherwise, you are right, we will unconsciously create something that may need correction or may be a false direction that will need to be re-navigated. It's all okay, but at this stage of my human experience I don't want to be distracted by a lot of unnecessary side trips. :) I have done as you mentioned, connected coincidences, more than once, and the side trips that resulted weren't necessary. If I had really listened the first time to the sense of direction I seemed to be getting, I would have been saved some heartache, but it all brought me to here, and here is good.
ReplyDeleteI very much appreciate your thoughts on this, Grethe. You've given me something to stay aware of. Thank you!
Teresa, I feel you are in a wonderful place of your life right now. Your creativity is on top and you are an inspiration to all of us.
ReplyDeleteThat's not a coincidence!
Grethe
Anthony Hopkins as a young man! Gosh, how time flies!
Grethe, You are so kind. I appreciate you so very much. I keep forgetting to tell you, my brother and his wife have just been to Denmark, They sailed from New York to Copenhagen and other stops. I am looking forward to seeing his photos and hearing all about it. I thought of you, of course.
ReplyDeleteThirty-two years ago now. And he's still making great films. He is such a fine actor.
Teresa: I would bolt like the dickens from that scene! Not gonna stay around with that interplay from some place that the laws of known physics has not found. The non-contingency of events that cross like that are remarkable, yet spooky.
ReplyDeleteHi Jack! It was a scene that left an indelible impression on me, that's certain. Still talking about it, over thirty years later. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing that film and I also watched it at the Cooper. I remember exactly where I was sitting and I saw it with a gal named Beth. And it was a Saturday night. You may have been there too. Small world.
ReplyDeleteSteven, And it just keeps getting more interesting.... Yes, definitely a Saturday night, about one-third of the way down from the back, middle of the center section.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a strange happening at the restaurant, I can't recall if I saw that movie or not, I think I may have, but it has been so long ago I may have to see it again, but then maybe not. All my life I've had happenings that I thought were "meant" to be and I've never felt them unusual, I try to pay attention to them as I think they have happened for a reason, trust in your feelings I call it and I believe things happen for a reason whether we know why or how or what for or not, usually time tells us.
ReplyDeleteWhat Is That?Synchronicity? Yes, It's Good To Know That We Are Not Passive In Life.We Create The World As Much As It Creates Us.
ReplyDeleteLinda, It's about paying attention and listening, yes, and trusting our feelings. Thanks for your comments.
ReplyDeleteTony, The current word that seems to be used is synchronicity. The world is a wonderful place and I like exploring the possibilities.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem that once we get tuned in, these things happen daily. I don't like clowns either. That whole ventriloquist dummy event would have creeped out ANYBODY, especially after the movie.
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely a tuned-in person, Teresa. I'm glad I've found you.
Hi DJan, Thank you, very much. And I'm glad I found you. I like sharing these things with you.
ReplyDeleteI too would have found it seriously disquieting to be joined by a ventriloquist (even if I hadn't just seen the film!I mean that has to be a once in a lifetime happening!There cannot be too many ventriloquist's walking into bars around the world!)I saw the film it was really disturbing to say the least, Hopkins was fantastic as always. I can remember another similar film with Michael Redgrave called,'Dead of Night' really spooky!
ReplyDeleteCoincidences are really odd, some fantastical even, certainly fascinating and maybe they give us a nudge when we need to remember there is more to life than what it seems. I just found this fantastic story of coincidence involving Anthony Hopkins....which is in itself a coincidence since he was in the film you spoke of!!
Apparently, Anthony landed a role in a film to be made of the book by George Feifer, 'The Girl From Petrovka' and wanting to read the book before filming searched London for a copy. After trying several bookshops there wasn't a copy to be had so he set off back home. Arriving at Leicester Square Underground to await his tube he noticed a book apparently discarded on a nearby bench, incredibly it was, 'The Girl From Petrovka'. Then...two years later in the middle of filming George Feifer visited Anthony and happened to mention that he didn't have a copy of his own book. He'd lent his annotated copy to a friend who had lost it somewhere in London. Hopkins went to fetch the book, "Is this the one?" he asked,"With the notes scribbled in the margins?" It was the same book!
Jane, That is a wonderful story! I'm so glad you shared it! It gave me goosebumps. A perfect example of these kinds of happenings. These all coming together in this way is for me more affirmation that there is, indeed, "more to life than what it seems." I'm greatly encouraged by all the people here in our blogging community who are experiencing and sharing their own stories. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteReality exists as potentia. We distill the mist individually and collectively. Also, 222 was my childhood house number (Brother still lives there.) and my first room number when I began teaching. We, who comment here, were drawn here. Been intertwined for a long time.
ReplyDeleteOne morning, years ago, I was on my way early to my school to put up some posters the kids had done which I needed to tape to the walls in the hallway. My room was miles from the main office so I always parked in the back nearer my room. Still, I knew I didn't have any tape in my room and would have to walk up and get it from the office. When I got to the parking lot, no one around yet, I saw something in the spot where I usually parked. I pulled down a bit and got out and picked up a new, unopened roll of tape. There is no doubt in my mind that I called that tape into existence.
ReplyDeleteCletis, Thanks for helping me to break through the mist this morning. Much appreciated.
ReplyDeletere: the tape - I have no doubt, either. I'm glad we've recognized each other.