Sin and Synchronicity

“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” — Lewis Carroll

Think for a moment what image or concept the word sin conjures in your mind. The word sin is synonymous with religion and punishment. The ideas of and of sin, guilt, and punishment are so interwoven that it is difficult to describe one without mentioning the other two. We often use the words interchangeably to mean the same thing. The origins of the word sin suggest fault, however not in a religious sense, but in a profoundly existential sense.

Sin is “Missing the Mark”

The Greek word for “sin” is Hamartia. Hamartia is an archery term and means “missing the mark.” My translation is to be “off track” or to be wandering aimlessly without purpose, without something to “aim for”.

In this sense, at an individual level, sin suggests we are failing to seek out and accept our responsibility. It is our responsibility to discover and fulfil our purpose (yes parents, coaches and mentors can help, but the responsibility lies with us). Divining for purpose is a difficult task; it means sacrificing the safe choices and listening with our whole brain and our whole heart to the nudges that orientate us towards our reason for being.

Living in sin for the individual is akin to a zombie-like existence. When we close our mind to the possibility of a higher purpose, we end up as a shell of what we might have become. We live an unfulfilled life. When an individual does discover their purpose, if they cannot create a job that fulfils them, then they must seek an organisation that provides purpose connected to the purpose of the individual. For this to occur, organisations must also have a purpose beyond shareholder value.

Beyond the individual, immense responsibility lies with the organisation. Organisations must also adapt their modes of thinking towards a business world in which they contribute to the people, to the environment in which they exist. This shift in organisational consciousness means a move from a mechanical mode, where people are treated like machines to a mode where people are treated like humans. This marks the rise of the purpose-driven organisation. (We talk about this week’s innovation show with Carol Sanford and next week we bring it further with Iain McGilchrist).

Synchronicity

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.” ― William Hutchison Murray

Synchronicity is a concept, first introduced by psychologist Carl Jung, which holds that events are “meaningful coincidences” if they occur with no causal relationship yet seem to be meaningfully related. Jung’s belief was that, just as events may be connected by causality, they may also be connected by meaning. Synchronicity has been reported since antiquity and in numerous religious traditions, often as part of the path towards spiritual development.

Once an organisation and its people commit to a purpose, synchronicity arises, luck happens. “Luck Is What Happens When Preparation Meets Opportunity”, but we make our luck by defining a purpose. Once we decide on a purpose, we create, notice and enjoy opportunities and synchronicities that we may have overlooked in the absence of a specific purpose.

Purpose helps us to identify a target and helps us identify these opportunities. Seizing the opportunities leads to informed decisions because we are guided by our intuition. And our intuition is guided by our defined purpose in the first place. You can see how defining a purpose is so important — it sets the wheels of synchronicity in motion.

Without a purpose, life is a vastly different experience, a life without sin.

EP 182: Artificial Intelligence in Practice with Bernard Marr

Bernard speaks of purpose in a strategic sense, even when initiating an Artificial Intelligence project. It must be connected first to an overarching goal.

Artificial Intelligence in Practice is a fascinating look into how companies use AI and machine learning to solve problems

The rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence has expanded beyond research labs and computer science departments and made its way into the mainstream business environment.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are cited as the most important modern business trends to drive success. It is used in areas ranging from banking and finance to social media and marketing.

This technology continues to provide innovative solutions to businesses of all sizes, sectors and industries.

Understand some key terminology in an accessible way

Expand your knowledge of recent AI advancements in technology

Gain insight on the future of AI and its increasing role in business and industry

Realise some of the threats and opportunities that AI brings to industry, society and humanity

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