Even the length of one’s life is predestined
Lesson One: Shaping Our Destiny - Part I
“Our hour is marked, and no one can claim a moment of life beyond what fate has predestined.” — Napoleon Bonaparte
Liao-Fan’s Four Lessons, written during China's Ming Dynasty by Liao-Fan Yuan, aims to guide his son in recognizing destiny, discerning good from evil, correcting faults, and practicing kindness. It offers examples of those who benefited from virtue and humility, drawing from Liao-Fan's personal transformation as proof of his teachings' efficacy.
In the 1500s, Ming Dynasty, when Liao-Fan was young, his mother persuaded him to study medicine instead of pursuing the esteemed path of scholarly pursuit.
Liao-Fan's mother had his future all mapped out for him, but it wasn't the path he had envisioned. "Listen, son," she urged, "Studying medicine is a smart move. Not only will you always be able to support yourself, but you'll also be helping people - that's gotta count for something, right?"
She gave him one of those knowing mom looks. "Plus, if you get really good at it, who knows? You might even become a renowned physician! Can't you just see it - your name going down in the medical history books? That was always your father's dream for you."
In ancient Chinese civilization, studying was highly esteemed, and other occupations were viewed as inferior. Officials were selected based on meritocracy through a rigorous system of imperial examinations. Passing these exams required high levels of learning and writing skills, leading to opportunities for prestigious government positions and wealth. Failure to pass meant lack of recognition, motivating many youths to pursue studying for a chance at a prosperous future.
Liao-Fan's mother saw things differently. To her, a practical skill like medicine offered both financial security and the chance to make a real difference in people's lives.
One day, as Liao-Fan was making his way through the Compassionate Cloud Temple, he came across an elderly man whose distinguished aura and long beard gave him an undeniably sage-like presence. Intrigued, Liao-Fan paid his respects.
The old man looked him over and remarked, "Young man, you're destined for greatness as a government official. In fact, my calculations show you'll attain the rank of Erudite First-Level Scholar next year. So why aren't you burying your nose in those books, preparing for the exams?"
Liao-Fan explained how his mother had steered him away from scholarly pursuits, instead insisting he learn medicine. Curiosity piqued, he inquired about the old man's background. "The name's Kong, from Yunnan Province," the sage replied. "I've inherited the art of prediction from the renowned Master Shao himself. And according to my calculations, I'm meant to pass this knowledge on to you."
Intrigued by Mr. Kong's claims, Liao-Fan invited the sage back home to meet his mother. "Let's extend our hospitality to our guest genuinely," she instructed, ever the gracious host. But being a practical woman, she proposed putting Mr. Kong's talents to the test first by having him verify details from their family's past using his predictive calculations. To her astonishment, the old master nailed even the most minute particulars with pinpoint accuracy.
Convinced of his mystical gifts, Liao-Fan heeded Mr. Kong's advice and consulted with his cousin Shen-Chen, who recommended he study under the tutelage of the esteemed Mr. Yu. And with that, a new academic path was forged.
Not one to mince words, Mr. Kong laid out his divinations for Liao-Fan's scholastic future: "In the county examinations, you'll place fourteenth. Then seventy-first at the regional level, and ninth in the provincial tests."
The following year, like clockwork, Liao-Fan's exam rankings unfolded precisely as Mr. Kong had foretold at each crucial juncture.
Emboldened by his preternatural accuracy, Mr. Kong proceeded to map out Liao-Fan's entire destiny, from clearing future career milestones as a civil servant and earning promotions, to ultimately being appointed a magistrate in Szechuan Province. He even pinpointed Liao-Fan's retirement timeline and chilling predictions about the date, time, and circumstances surrounding his death at fifty-three - including the heartbreaking detail that he would never have a son to carry on his legacy.
Liao-Fan took Mr. Kong's words to heart, and from then on, every exam result…
Continue to Part II
My Current Perspective on the Grand Journey of Life
Our true selves, which exist on a higher spiritual plane, choose to experience physical lives on Earth. The reason for this is to grow and evolve through various challenges and lessons. Before each life, we plan out a "life script" full of predetermined events and experiences. This is designed to help us gain profound new insights and perspectives.
Earth acts like a training ground where we fully immerse ourselves and forget our past lives. This way, every lesson, heartbreak, and triumph feels completely new and allows for maximum growth. While the twists and turns of our predetermined lives may not make sense to us in the moment, they are intricately designed experiences intended for our growth and evolution.
Each physical life offers a new profound set of lessons and realizations aimed at furthering our true self's understanding of the ultimate meaning and purpose. Although we have no memory of past lives, these successive journeys on Earth are part of our soul's continual progression and expansion.
I hope you're finding enjoyment in Rewriting Fate. If you've appreciated the writing, it's worth mentioning that this publication relies entirely on reader support and funding. While all my posts are always free, the best way to show your appreciation and help sustain the work is through a paid subscription. Your support would be greatly appreciated!
Very interesting perspective.
I love the story. As an avid audio-listener you might consider also offering it in audio.
The question that arises in me after reading is: Are we all guided by a higher force that has a long-term plan in mind? If so, does this plan include evolving to higher levels of fulfillment, even if it takes multiple lives? Assuming that higher force has the best for us in mind one could wonder if interference might just make it harder to evolve.
On the other hand, innovation is hard to imagine as a prepared point in time as we would then have to assume that the higher force lets us suffer unnecessarily by delaying innovation unnecessarily.
My solution would be to assume that the story is actually not to be taken so literally but rather as an example of the value of seeking advice from elders and their experience.
With that in mind I am reminded about my grandpa who always said: "Axel, don't ever trust a statistic that you did not manipulate yourself."
He said a lot of other things like that but this one always comes to mind first 😉