Available now
A field guide for changing state.
Rules To Live By is the written companion to the Destiny Cards work: the practical philosophies, resourceful states, and longer explanations behind each shift.
- Format
- Softcover
- Retailer
- Amazon
- Status
- Available now
How to read it
Use the rule. Test the result.
Let me be clear when I say “But not Believe.” I don’t mean that you can’t believe these rules, or even that you shouldn’t. I’m saying that your belief isn’t required in order to use these guidelines. Each of these principles is a lens through which to see a given problem or situation. Looking through this lens will focus your point of view in a different, more revealing way.
Imaginary numbers do not exist. We made them up as a device to test different models and create alternate scenarios. They are, essentially, untruths. As I introduce you to the Functional Philosophies, I offer a similar construct and a similar idea. These philosophies are merely a tool to reveal different, more powerful and constructive interpretations of your life and your situations. No one believes that imaginary numbers exist, they just use them. I’m inviting you to do likewise with these ideas.
The beauty of a Functional Philosophy is that you are not required to believe it, only to use it. What does that mean? Too many disciplines and belief systems require that you buy into their ethos and their story. The Paradox Process makes no such requirement. We are only interested in you getting to your truth in the most empowering ways.
Inside the book
32 Functional Philosophies
“Everything is perfect and meant to be, for mine and for everyone’s highest good.”
“All conflicts and upsets revolve around a lesson, to learn, to grow and to evolve.”
“You are capable of creating anything that you want in this life.”
“Everyone is doing the best that they can!”
“Life wants you to have everything you want!”
“You’ve chosen every lesson and conflict in your life to evolve and grow.”
Sample philosophy
“Everyone is doing the best that they can!”
When we survey the world around us, it’s easy to become disillusioned. The constant stream of conflict, injustice, and suffering can make it hard to believe that anyone is truly “doing their best.” But then we encounter stories like that of Nelson Mandela, and our perspective shifts.
Imagine spending decades locked away, imprisoned for your unwavering belief in freedom and equality. Imagine facing not just physical confinement, but also the constant erosion of hope, the daily assault on your spirit. This was Mandela’s reality for 27 years, a testament to the extraordinary strength it takes to stand against oppression. Yet, even in the darkest of times, he chose a path of dignity.
Released from prison, he could have easily succumbed to the bitterness that years of injustice might have bred. He could have sought revenge, fueled by anger and resentment. But Mandela, with a profound understanding of human nature, chose a different path — the path of reconciliation.
Teaching
Central to his resolve that his world could be changed was his belief that people were always doing their best in their given circumstances, and by creating new opportunity, they too would rise to greater levels.
“Everyone is doing the best that they can!” This supposition takes away the need to judge or minimize others and allows us to feel good will toward those who struggle. We can’t know the pain and hardship that others face and what they are overcoming right now. When we have the opportunity, we can give grace through this view.
How Is This Useful?
We can often find ourselves in combat with life, actively fighting the tide of incompetence and injustice. Reframing the efforts we see as the best “they” can do takes away our frustration and brings us to a place of acceptance. There are a million things in life that we can change and a million that we can’t. When we determine which is which we can apply our efforts toward what really matters.
Companion states
33 Resourceful States
“This book is dedicated to all of us who struggle to make sense of life — to understand how it works and why — to all who strive to give meaning and purpose to their daily actions and to find direction in the midst of chaos.”
Also available: Destiny Cards separately at paradoxprocess.org.