SYNCHRONICITIES with DR. LYDIA CHO    “The universe is always nurturing and provides.”   “Prayer is an important form of meditation -- being at peace with yourself and the universe, beseeching what you would like. Prayer, spiritual, enlightenment, and awakening are so related.”   – neuropsychologist Dr. Lydia Cho     Episode Summary:   Have you ever wondered if you can influence how often you experience significant spiritual events?  Is there anything you can do to experience more meaningful synchronicities in your life?   In this episode, we talk with Dr. Lydia Cho, a Harvard Psychologist who studied spirituality with recent guest Dr. Lisa Miller at Columbia Teachers College, author of “The Awakened Brain”. Dr. Cho is currently teaching and researching neuropsychology at Harvard affiliated McLean hospital. And she loves to talk about spirituality and synchronicity. Wow!   Listen in to hear how Dr. Lydia Cho views the interplay between spirituality, religion, psychology, mental health, and the higher power of the universe.     Topics We Discuss: [3:30]   How Dr. Lydia Cho ended up studying synchronicities. From a family of medical professionals with a constant religious practice, emotional functioning felt more important to Dr. Cho than just physical body healthcare. [10:44]  As teenager while playing piano, Dr. Cho experienced smelling the perfume of her beloved, deceased piano teacher. And how her grandparents reacted. [12:00]  While jogging on campus Dr. Cho had a premonition of a dear friend’s passing, followed by a grief dream visitation from her friend. [13:30]  Synchronicity is a meaningful coincidence, a connection between your outer and inner worlds. [13:30]  Dr. Cho’s masters level study in synchronicity awareness resulted in an increase in experiences of synchronicities and a feelings of connectedness. [19:50]  How “the fathers of psychology” and collaborators, Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, viewed synchronicity very differently. Freud considered religion mass delusion. Jung considered religion a valuable psychotherapeutic system of images and symbols. [25:17]  Synchronicities positively impact health outcomes. Outcomes are more positive for people with spirituality within a religious framework vs. being spiritual without a religious framework. [34:11] Harold G. Koenig's research at Duke University on the effects of religion and spirituality on health.  The Duke University Religion Index (DUREL) measure of religious involvement.       FOLLOW DR. LYDIA CHO:   You can find more about and contact Dr. Lydia Cho here:   McLean Hospital bio   Email Dr. Lydia Cho here:   Email Lcho@partners.org Email LydiaCho@gmail.com     SUPPORT LIFE, DEATH AND THE SPACE BETWEEN:   If you’re enjoying the podcast and finding value in guest interviews, ghost stories, and the content I share, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patreon member for as little as $5 a month at Patreon.com/DrAmyRobbins   As a member you’ll get more say in the content we cover and exclusive access to behind-the-scenes goodness!   Stay Connected with Dr. Amy Robbins:   Instagram YouTube Fireside Website Facebook