There are many theories as to what causes déjà vu.
One hold that our "spirit" can actually travel faster in time than our earthbound bodies so it charges off into the future from time to time for reasons we can't explain.
Another claims that it's because we are reincarnated and old memories from past lives are seeping through into our current consciousness.
And then there's the parallel Universe theory that suggests our lives are always splitting off into different directions whenever we make big decisions and that at the point of experiencing déjà vu we are connecting with these parallel worlds.
All of which rather ignores the actual sensation of déjà vu that is simply joyous and mesmerising regardless of what it actually is.
Déjà vu experiences stay with us too, logging themselves into our memory banks where they can be withdrawn whenever those "déjà vu" conversations occur, usually over a few glasses of wine late at night!
"There's an opposite to déjà vu. They call it jamais vu. It's when you meet the same people or visit places, again and again, but each time is the first. Everybody is always a stranger. Nothing is ever familiar."
~~ Chuck Palahniuk
Top photo is a sketch penned by my friend Dianne in 2004 after she has suffered a stroke in 1999. She said it described how she felt when everything was muddled in her brain.
When Annemarie and I were in Norway in July 2010 and we stopped at this place for a short while, an eeriness came over me as I photographed this scene. I wanted to hop in that boat and paddle into the mist.
24 comments:
I LOVE the photo in Norway... truly beautiful. Not sure that I would want to paddle into the mist though.
Dejavu... I love that feeling, but I can't recall the last time I had it. It's always welcome.
I feel that dejavu could be about our ancestors... I think maybe it comes from sharing the same experience... I feel like it's in our genes.... passed onto us from the beginning of time. Just a thought :)
I love the mystery of our human experience
x Robyn
I would have paddled off with you.
your friend's sketch is beautiful, and so meaningful when you explain her inspiration. I've had that deja vu feeling a couple of times, it's maddening trying to place the feeling.
Hi Peggy! I haven't experienced déjà vu for ages but it's a funny feeling. I can't even remember the last one so I'm getting out the red wine to have a good 'think'. Love the posts!
Well, I kind of like the parallel Universe theory myself or how about time travel?
I've always thought it was a dream coming through!
Deju Vu is one of those wonderful mysteries we get to experience and wonder about and then like you said talk with friends.
Sure wish you were here to party with on Saturday night, you would have a blast. Come back to TX my friend.
Hugs,
Carrie and the kids.
I had a deja vu moment when I came home from the pub last night...hope you're well Peggy.
Robyn - I cannot recall the last time I had a deja vu feeling either. I feel it is about time both of us experienced one!
Oh yes the mystery of the human experience. The Indian philosopy have a word for it called "Upanishads". "We ae both spectators and actors in the great drama of existence".
Thanks for adding your interesting/wise words to this post. :-)
Annemarie - Well why didn't we!! Probably because it was drizzling. :D)
Christine - My friend Dianne is a fantastic artist who fortunately is lefthanded. When she had her stroke it paralyzed her on the righthand side so she was still able to paint and draw until she regained the use of her right side.
Yes it can be maddening placing a deja vu feeling BUT I can't wait to have another one!! :-)
Carrie - I often think about parallel Universes I find the idea fasinating.
If our own individual beings could meet and each one had different experiences, think of the intelligence and knowledge we could pass from one to another. Each one would have different experiences and different outcomes. In one world we could be a doctor, in another world a politician, in another world a drug addict. The options would be virtually limitless!
I would certainly enjoy a Saturday night in your company. I will be visiting Annemarie in Missouri in July 2012, want to pop on over. :-)
Susan - Hello new friend!
A glass or two of red wine might just bring on a deja vu feeling.
I am enjoying reading your blog also. :-)
My memory is so bad that I think I have Jamais vu all the time. During the school pick up, at the swimming centre even the supermarket I go to every week, more than once. I didnt have a name for it before and just blamed the vagueness of motherhood, but now I know why I cant remember that woman's name or what time the swimming lessons starts, or which isle the toilet paper is in...
Before kids, deja vu was not uncommon, haven't experienced it since the little people came along.
Heres hoping we all get more in touch with our alternative realities soon....
Mike - You are a very lucky soul my friend to have so many deja vu moments.....or maybe you are stuck in Groundhog day!
Are you learning some valuable lessons??
I am extremely happy and well thanks mate, you too I hope. :-)
CF - Ah little people certainly do change our lives. They are all consuming and it takes so much conscious effort to focus on events around us.
Joseph and Charlie's mother, Talie,is affected the same way you are, that is why I volunteered to look after her children one day a week.
For that short period of time she can live in a world stressfree and just focus on herself.
Hang in there my friend, at least you now have a name (Jamais vu) for your condition. :-)
Wow, both the portrait and the mist in Norway were powerful. Thank you for giving me an eloquent and proper phrase for what happens to me with some regularity - jamais vu! It's always helpful to know that you'ren ot alonein whatever you're experiencing.
Hello Candelaria!
I like your description of the portrait and the photo...."powerful" - very true!
I wonder if jamais vu will ever become as well known as deja vu....you are definitely NOT alone in the dark. :-) xxxxxx
Gorgeous photo - I think I remember you had it in a former psot and I loved it then too!
You must have been there in another life, and paddled through that lovely magical mist!
Deja-vu always gets our attention doesn't it - and maybe that's the point of it (?) I think it is to do with living in a multi-dimensional universe. For the most part our brains are very good at keeping us 'blinkered' but every so often, something slips through - and it blows our minds!
I love Chuk Palahniuk - he has a marvellous way of seeing the world differently. His humour is so dark - yet very funny!
Wouldn't it be great if we found a way to encourage more deja-vu? Mind you - we wouldn't get a lot done, or at least we'd be doubling our efforts!
Hi Peggy i don't know if I had a deja vu as such that I recognised
stuff as being there before. I do have the feeling however sometimes with some people and some places that I feel completely comfortable with within seconds as if you're at home Lol Probably is the same thing What do you think
BTW your friend can express herself well That picture speaks a lot and the photo of Norway is magic
Cinderella - Oh what a lovely thought to think that I have been paddling through that gorgeous mist in another life.....thanks for painting that picture for me.:-)
Hello Stoneweaver!
I was hoping a title like Deja vu would get YOUR attention! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. :D)
I feel Deja vu is similar to dreaming, we dream during most of our sleep, but we can only remember the dreams that occur during REM (Rapid Eyes Movement) sleep.
I like your term "blinkered", it so suits the world so many people live in today.
I hadn't heard of Chuck Palahnuik before reading his quote but was drawn to his dark humour.
Hey Marja!
I know exactly what you mean about feeling totally at ease with people we have just met and new places visited. I felt that way with YOU instantaneously!
It is such a feeling of joy.
That painting by my friend Dianne hangs in the hospital that helped in her recovery as she was such an inspiration to all the doctors and nurses.
I love the sketch your friend drew. Very expressive. The photos are splendid.
I've just discovered your blog, and it is marvelous. I will be making frequent visits.
Hello Motherkitty!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, it is much appreciated.
Look forward to hearing from you again. :-)
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