The bus dropped us off at a small campground in the village of Singerei, Moldova. The road had been bumpy, but that did not bother the wide-eyed, eager travelers. Outside, the heat was offset by a slight breeze. In the middle of the camp stood a line of cabins. It would be our home for the next seven days. I walked through the camp and marveled at the way the countryside air made me feel like I was breathing for the first time.
I soon reached a small, semi-outdoor amphitheater. The amphitheater had a sturdy tin roof overhead with wooden benches arranged underneath. The stage at the front seemed to beckon me forward as if it knew I would spend the week singing songs and performing skits on it. I paused to take in the view of the amphitheater framed by the charming Moldovan hills. It was the first time I saw this camp with my own eyes, yet the only thought running through my head was, “I’ve been here before.”
Then, the feeling of déjà vu that had consumed me for a minute or two vanished just as quickly as it started.
What is déjà vu?
Déjà vu is French for “already seen” It describes the experience of feeling a new situation is familiar, even when that situation can’t have happened previously.
Over the years, many groups have tried to explain and interpret déjà vu. New Agers define déjà vu as a sign of spiritual awakening. Indian religions, namely Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, believe déjà vu is proof of a previous life and reincarnation. Islamism suggests that déjà vu is Allah’s attempt to teach you or reveal something to you.
Science has also tried to explain the phenomenon. At first, déjà vu became known as a memory glitch. When we encounter a situation similar to an actual memory that our mind cannot fully recall, our brain recognizes similarities between our current and past experiences. However, after more research, scientists say déjà vu happens when the brain integrates signals into experiences simultaneously absorbed as memories. Occasionally, the pathways short-circuit, and the experience is imprinted as a memory before the brain has a chance to experience it.
Although studies have tried explaining déjà vu, they’re still just theories.
Have you experienced déjà vu?
Studies show that déjà vu is a fairly common occurrence across populations. Most déjà vu experiences happen to younger individuals between the ages of 10 and 25 years old. The phenomenon tends to happen every few months and sometimes weeks.
Individuals with temporal lobe epilepsy often report having déjà vu just before a seizure.
I am personally quite curious about the topic of déjà vu, seeing as I experience it just about every week!
After doing some research, I realize how uncommon this is. It happens so often to me that at this point, I take each instance of déjà vu as a sign that my life is on track.
I also experience extremely vivid or lucid dreams every night. Sometimes, I can remember 4 to 5 dreams from the night before. I’ve recently reached the point where it is difficult for me to distinguish dreams from reality. However, the Bible discusses the topic of dreams a lot. I recognize that some dreams are from God. I’ve even received interpretations for a few of my dreams!
Maybe one day I’ll come up with a conclusion for why I experience déjà vu. Maybe science will explain it. Maybe one of my readers can relate to these feelings.
Until then, my life remains unexplainably redundant.