The fate vs. free will debate will probably continue ad infinitum, just like the creationism vs. evolution argument.
I’d like to be able to give people infinite hope by telling them that unavoidable personal adversity doesn’t have to exist, that they can override fate with their free will, but our findings completely contradict that notion. In the fate vs. free will competition, fate always prevails.
There’s nothing for me to gain by telling you that there’s a lot in your life that you can’t change, including circumstances that will unfold no matter what you do, that fate prevails in the fate vs. free will match.
Why unavoidable personal fate and adversity exist is a topic for another article, but ultimately it has everything to do with personal accountability and reaping what you sow.
An aside, it goes without saying that you’re going to tell someone with a near-fatal wound as she lies there on the ground, “You’re going to make it, hang in there.” It can be the difference between life and death.
However, delivering a you-can-do-it-fate-does-not-exist message to someone who wants to know about their future only sets someone up for disappointment and, or worse. Why not tell it like it is to help the person prepare for the predestined challenges? I’m all for inspiration, but it must be grounded in realism.
The fate-doesn’t-exist crowd proclaims, “If someone says you can’t change fate, run! They are not telling you the truth.”
There are four main possible reasons for rejecting fate in the fate vs. free will debate:
1. The practitioner is simply out of her league; she can’t predict personal fate using her superficial approach. By saying, “The outcome is up to you, nothing is set in stone,” she hedges her bets. In doing so, she becomes an inspirational coach, not someone who acts in the ancient tradition of interpreting personal fate.
2. The psychic is very talented, sees future personal adversity and predetermined circumstances, but does not want to upset his client, so he says, “It could go either way. Tread carefully and you’ll be okay,” knowing the outcome will be tragic.
3. The denier of personal fate and unavoidable adversity senses deep down inside that her overall fate isn’t very fruitful, she isn’t strong enough to come to terms with it, thus prefers to pretend she can create the life of her dreams, no matter her predetermination.
4. The person rejects the notion of personal fate, choosing to believe he can achieve anything he puts his mind to. Setting significant goals and doing everything you can to achieve them is absolutely how you should live your life, but an ego-fueled outlook on life, void of humility too often ends in disaster.
A sure way to offer an educated opinion on whether or not personal fate exists in the fate vs. free will discussion involves spending countless hours observing the key circumstances in people’s lives, in conjunction with objective predictive analysis.
Those who claim, “You always have a choice,” refuse to acknowledge the notion that people “choose” to do that which aligns with their personal fate regardless of how much decision-making power they think they have. Fate prevails in the fate vs. free will contest, but fate and free will conspire to manifest the circumstances in your life.
I’ve received many e-mails about the fate vs. free will issue; this is one of the more recent ones: “Some psychics say you can change when a prediction happens, that you can make it happen earlier by removing blocks and you can also delay it by doing things like thinking about it too much or asking the spirit world for a time frame too often which can delay it? Is that true in your opinion?”
My findings clearly show that “removing blocks” won’t allow you to cheat fate. If something is going to happen, it will happen, at the time it’s supposed to happen.
Don’t be discouraged about the realities of fate vs. free will. Within the theory of predestination is the promise of the rewarding things in your life being fated too. Although immutable personal adversity will always exist, if you believe, you can achieve it, as long as the goal harmonizes with your destined path.
Copyright © 2013 Scott Petullo