The most common definition of Magical Thinking I could find (through my elaborate intensive research – I googled it) involved seeing a causality or correlation between arguably unrelated things and events. Apparently this is also known as Associative Thinking. It relates to the Jungian concept of Synchronicity, but that’s not so much about causality as the meaning or significance revealed by the connection of these seemingly unrelated events.
Are there invisible connections between things, times, phenomena? Is there an alternate unseen causality that we, with our modern focus on science and coincidence have pushed from sight?
Magical Thinking is widespread and multifarious. It has many faces. It’s a catchall definition of something that manifests in near-infinite types of behavior. That’s one of the things quite interesting about Magical Thinking, all the different forms it takes. You’ve got the major religions, you’ve got cults and self-help books. On the opposite end of things there are all the personal practices, idiosyncratic and creative or as simple as one little good luck charm.
If there’s any underlying principle shared by these various forms of Magical Thinking it’s found in one’s relationship to the concept of coincidence. Belief in coincidence, randomness and causality is the opposite of Magical Thinking; I suppose you could call it a classically scientific view of the world. So it all boils down to how you feel about coincidence. Any time you feel one is significant, that’s a touch of Magical Thinking.
BRAVA!
ReplyDeleteIs Magical Thinking more 'obvious' when life events are positive - I'm really not sure. Now I'm pondering how Magical Thinking applies when life goes awry. People can struggle desperately after a bad turn of events and wonder "Why me?" There are many ways we may 'trick' ourselves into believing our suffering has purpose or meaning. These notions run from the folksy to the more esoteric. "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." * "That which does not kill me, makes me stronger". Then, of course there is the Buddhist concept of suffering and Nirvana (something I'm entirely unable to sum up). At this point, I see myself utilizing Magical Thinking for the more troublesome aspects of my life.
ReplyDeleteHere's an odd aside, though one I think falls under the category of Magical Thinking. Last night, a friend brought over a book on the history of Thanksgiving by Lucille Recht Penner. We all took turns reading from it, either laughing or sitting puzzled afterwards. One of the stranger excerpts on ensuring a good harvest from the great "Corn Mother" read as follows: "Polish Farmers made the last sheaf of corn into an elaborate crown called a "Wienjee" It was splendidly decorated with flowers, nuts, apples, and sometimes even gingerbread cake. A girl, wearing the crown, led a procession of harvesters to the farmhouse door. There the farmer threw buckets of water at her until she was thoroughly drenched. The water was a charm, meant to ensure rain for the coming year's crops."
It's amazing what our imaginations can do. There's no shortage of unusual beliefs we use to get luck, fate or the Gods on our side.