What does enlightenment really mean to you?

For some, it can conjure up images of sitting in silence with monks in an ashram for days on end in prayer. For people like Paul and Russell Sturgess, however, the path to enlightenment means something much deeper, more realistic and illuminating at a soul level.

Paul and Russell explore progressive enlightenment by way of the Major Arcana of the Tarot this week on Spirit Gym. (Download this PDF handout and follow along with Paul and Russell as they review the Tarot!)

Explore Russell’s work at his website where you can book a free 15-minute session to learn more about working with him and take courses on the Cathar Code and join his Pathways to Mindfulness mentoring program. Check out his lectures on YouTube.

Paul will also be hosting an exclusive Q&A session with Russell Sturgess for Spirit Gym podcast members at a future date so sign up for your Spirit Gym podcast membership today!

Timestamps

3:08 Russell lives off-the-grid in a modern hesychasm (stillness).

9:59 “Enlightenment is about spiritual awareness.”

18:19 Do you want acquired happiness or innate happiness?

29:35 Grace: The fuel that opens doors and powers your abundance.

36:53 The Fool.

44:14 The most important symbol in the Tarot card deck.

52:28 Are you more awake when you’re sleeping?

57:05 The I am portal.

1:00:00 The Emperor and Empress.

1:08:07 The Magician (a spiritual billboard).

1:15:55 Programming.

1:24:37 Many of the world’s greatest inventions came by the way of dreams.

1:31:00 In a world based on unsustainable values, what you assume is permanent probably won’t be…

1:42:45 “If a picture is worth a thousand words, an archetype is worth millions of images.”

1:56:52 Are you fulfilled, happy or both?

2:01:11 A skill for learning how to be more aware by not using commas in sentences.

2:19:03 The Cathar and catharsis.

2:30:08 A journey of theosis.

Resources

The Spiritual Roots of the Tarot: The Cathar Code Hidden in the Cards by Russell Sturgess

Get Out of Jail Card: A journey of self-worth by Russell Sturgess

Find more resources for this episode on our website.

Music Credit: Meet Your Heroes (444Hz) by

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Know your Foe Week 3 Lions 2025