Here are some resources you can use to learn more about fate theory and its application in practice. We invite you to check back often, as we'll be adding more resources in the months ahead. To send us a question or comment, use the get in touch form at the bottom of the page.
FAQs
What are the five points of practice? The five points of practice in our model are truthfulness, showing up, innocence, diligence, and dialogue. You can learn more about these through the audio programs available in our Online Store.
In fate theory, is fate cruel, kind, or indifferent?
Fate may be cruel or kind, but never indifferent—and its cruely or kindness follows with necessity from the nature of our stand toward it. Hubris and resistance bring down fate's cruel hand; humility and acceptance invite a kinder response. This formula cannot be applied exhaustively without opening the door to hubris; consequently, an element of opacity and therefore unpredictability remains for us about the nature and workings of fate that theory cannot encompass. Recognizing this spares us from the error of imposing our judgments, presumptions, and conclusions on others and even ourselves.
What practical difference does it make to believe in fate?
It makes all the difference in the world, because fate operates whether or not we believe it does, and our failure to acknowledge it does not grant us immunity from the consequences of hubris. It seems to be especially difficult for humankind to grasp that our will is far from all-powerful, and that our whether or not our life goes well depends on something greater than our will. In fate theory, because we recognize the living truth of what we're describing, we talk in terms of acknowledging fate rather than believing in it.
Doesn't acknowledging fate rule out free will and responsibility for our actions?
No. Free will and responsibility for our actions are both consistent with the idea of fate as presented in the fate model, because we have both the freedom of will and the responsibility to determine the nature of our relationship with fate itself. This choice, our only real one, is structural, a "meta-choice" that is not itself subject to the workings of the chaotic forces through which fate unfolds. Further, how we make this choice binds fate, as it were, to represent our life as tragedy or victory.
Is fate the same as destiny?
No. The word destiny has softer connotations than fate, and does not necessarily imply the involvement of a third party, such as fate or the gods. A man or woman, logically speaking, could work out his or her destiny in purely first-person terms—e.g., through fulfilling some potential that was present, say, early in life. When we talk about fate, however, we immediately imply a force outside us. Significant practical implications follow from this difference in meaning between the two terms.
How can we tell when events are fated and when they could be changed by our making a different choice or acting differently? There's nothing in Fate practice that contradicts the idea of choosing and acting for the best in every situation. Acknowledging that fate plays a part in our life doesn't mean we don't play our part. It simply means that we recognize when we have gone beyond our part and are interfering. There is a time to do our best and a time to stop doing and let go. The popular misconception pits free will against fate. In fate theory and practice, fate begins where free will ends, and this line is always clear in practice if we're willing to listen to the voice of intuition or daimon. We do what is ours to do. Everything else we recognize is in the hands of fate.
You say that the ancient Greeks' view of fate was closely tied to their belief in the gods. Are fate theory and practice religious?
No. We use "the gods" poetically to refer to the sum of chaotic forces operating in a situation in such a way as to shape or even determine its outcome. The word fate is used the same way, as a personification, because personifying fate helps us enter into a living relationship with it. Our theory and practice are secular, and consistent with the open-minded practice of any religion or none.
The Socratic Circle
Once each quarter from October to September of the following year, we offer the Socratic Circle, an hour-long phone bridge session with our instructors that provides free coaching, Q&A and discussion—all free! Register early to ensure your place in the Circle, and learn more about fate theory and practice, "up close and personal." For details including online registration, click here.
Fate First-Aid
If you're facing a situation in which you feel stuck and don't know where to turn, and nothing you've done so far has helped, you may find relief by applying "fate first-aid." Afterward, if you still find yourself suffering, you may want to consider scheduling a fate coaching session. Write down the answers to these questions:
Is there an important truth I haven't been willing to tell?
Did I tell an untruth that hasn't been put right?
Is there something I need to say to someone else?
Is there something I haven't been willing to hear from someone else?
Have I been living in fear of the worst?
Have I been pretending to know more than I really know?
Is there something I should have done that I've left undone?
Having done all I can do, have I been unwilling to let go of the outcome?
Have I been waiting for someone or something else to rescue me?
Have I been hiding who I really am?
These questions are derived from the five points of practice. A "yes" answer to any indicates hubris and a need for a midcourse correction. If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, take immediate steps to apply the principles of practice so that the truthful answer becomes "no," which will return you to friendly terms with the gods. You should experience immediate relief. Further, the situation then should improve as you continue to apply the principles of fate practice.
Get in Touch
Before getting in touch, we ask you to look over the FAQs above, which provides answers to questions we hear most frequently. If you have a question about our program or comment you'd like to share after looking there, please use the form below to get in touch.Note that we only provide support involving practical matters to those listed in our database of registered iStudy students, and that this form cannot serve as a venue for fate coaching.
Please do not send spam or commercial solicitations of any kind. Messages of this sort, as well as those that include multiple URL links are filtered and bounced (returned by the server and deleted unread).
