Below are some exercises you can employ in exploring the concept of fate:
Exercise 1
Relax and centre.
Put one sheet of paper in front of you and follow these instructions:
Ask yourself: “Where do I come from?”
Allow any images that come up to emerge freely. Don’t censor or judge, just be aware of whatever answers you have to this question.
Keep repeating the question to yourself until you feel you have answered it fully.
Close your eyes, and let a picture, image or symbol emerge in your consciousness that answers for you the question: “Where do I come from?”
When you have such an image, open your eyes and draw it on the paper before you. Use as much or as little colour as you like, and remember this does not have to be a great work of art. It is a symbolic representation of your answer to the question.
If you wish, you can write any words or ideas you want to record on the back of the drawing.
When it is completed, put it to one side, move a clean piece of paper in front of you, let go of the image you have just drawn, take a couple of deep breaths, and continue with the rest of the exercise.
Repeat the same procedure until you have four drawings, one on each of your four pieces of paper. The questions to answer for the remaining drawings are:
“Where do I want to go?”
“What stops me reaching my destination?”
“What do I need to help me grow?”
When you have completed all four drawings, place them so you can see all four at once and spend some time connecting to the symbols and images you have drawn. See if you can find practical ways to:
- Move you closer to where you want to go;
- Overcome the resistances that hinder your progress;
- Manifest what you need to help you grow.
Exercise 2
Relax and centre,
Connect with a memory from your past, any memory at all. Let it emerge from your unconscious. Take note of any images, sounds of feelings associated with this memory. Allow yourself to experience it fully right now.
Pay particular attention to how you feel in your body when the memory is being experienced. Take some time to connect with this, then exaggerate your body posture, sensations and (if appropriate) movements so that you experience even more.
Now get an image that represents this memory. Remember that images and symbols are the language of the unconscious. Do not censor or judge the image, just let it emerge.
Pay attention to this image, look for details within it; do not just focus on its central theme, look around the edges too.
Now change the image in any way that seems appropriate to you. Let your imagination run free and consciously change the image until it becomes less threatening, more pleasing, totally different, whatever. You are in control of this image, it is not in control of you.
When you have changed the image, imagine it large and bright in front of you, then draw its energy into your body. Really feel this new, positive energy filling you with its life-enhancing qualities.
Exercise 3
Relax and centre.
Take some deep, connected breaths and let yourself drift into a sleep state, but remain alert to what is happening to you. Do not fall asleep!
Think back over this day. What have you done today? Try to recall as much detail as possible, right back to when you woke up this morning.
Now recall yesterday, and again try to remember as much detail as possible. As much as you are able try to think of the evening first, then the afternoon, morning, and finally when you first woke up, but do not get too caught up with the technique, just let is come as naturally as possible.
Now recall last week. What can you can remember from the end of last week? And what from the beginning of last week?
What about last month? And last year?
Now recall some striking memories of any kind from ten years or so ago. Allow yourself to remember the experiences, and see what you were like then.
Then recall something from your childhood. What were you like when you were, say five years old?
Take your time and really relive these memories as fully as possible. When you cannot get much detail, allow your imagination to fill in the ‘gaps’ in your memory. Trust your ability to choose the right images.
Now allow your consciousness to drift backwards, and simply watch as you enter the spaces and memories that relate to previous lives. Do not censor or judge, just see what images and ideas emerge. It does not matter if they are ‘real’ or not, because you are choosing right now to connect and whatever emerges will have relevance to you. Do not force it, let memories arise.
Take your time with this. You might not et anywhere the first time you try this exercise, and may need to repeat it several times before memories do occur. In that case, try to do the exercise regularly, and trust there is meaning in what is happening to you.
At the end of each journey into your past, allow yourself to come forward to the present day, here and now in the room from whence you started. Slowly and carefully, stand up, and look around you. Stamp your feel a few times and perhaps have a drink and something light to eat. It is important to you bring your consciousness back to your present reality, regrounding yourself here and now.
From Walking Through Walls: Practical Esoteric Psychology (1990) by Will Parfitt
