The key ideas of the book are those related to the Jungian definition of synchronicity in psychology. Moreover, the concepts discussed in the book serve as a means of adapting Jung’s idea of synchronicity to one’s understanding of religion as such. Jung understood synchronicity as the feeling of significant coincidences that are not originally associated. The famous psychologist’s idea was to employ the term when defending the existence of the paranormal. In his book, Ferrauiola endeavors to explain Jung’s ideas for the readers and to emphasize links between synchronicity and the work of the Holy Spirit. The author argues that synchronicity is “the work of the Holy Spirit tapping us on the shoulder and pointing the way.” Furthermore, Ferrauiola is convinced that spiritual leaders can utilize the Jungian concept of synchronicity to make it easier for their congregations to understand the role of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives.
The idea of understanding the work of the Holy Spirit as a kind of synchronicity was the most interesting to me. The author is a deacon himself, so I believe he did his best to make the book easy to comprehend for everyone, especially individuals with uncertain beliefs or awareness of the Holy Spirit’s role in religion. Even though I consider myself a moderately religious person, the book called me to deeper thought by offering interesting insights and anecdotes. I realized that there was much more to the Holy Spirit than I always used to perceive. Reading the book gave me a feeling of God’s presence in my life through His Spirit. The author made me rethink my spiritual practice ideas to a great extent, and I started reconsidering the things that had happened to me and my close people about synchronicity.
I will use the information from the book in my personal spiritual life. As I have mentioned, I am already using some notions from the book in contemplating various situations and events and analyzing them. It seems that Ferrauiola has opened the door that has always been in front of me, but which I never dared open by myself. Probably I have never understood that the key to that door was always with me, but I did not know where it belonged.
I will also utilize the information from the book to explain to others the notion of synchronicity and the role it plays in our spiritual lives. I know many people who do not believe in the Holy Spirit not just because they reject the concepts related to God’s Spirit but due to their lack of knowledge about the subject. Hence, I will both share the data I got from the book and recommend people to read it. I think that anyone who gets acquainted with Ferrauiola’s work will become more aware of the Holy Spirit’s significance in every person’s life. Also, I believe that my friends will appreciate the opportunity to discuss new ideas.
I cannot say that I have clearly understood all the thoughts expressed by the author. That is probably due to my insufficient knowledge of Jungian works. Therefore, I feel an urge to go deeper into analytical psychology and investigate its notions in detail. Particularly, I am interested in reading some works by Jung and comparing them to the ideas written in Ferrauiola’s Synchronicity as the Work of the Holy Spirit.