EP 335 — Russell Sturgess: Tarot For Progressive Enlightenment
Mar 4, 2025
auto_awesome
In this episode, Russell Sturgess, a global thought leader on mindfulness and Tarot expert, dives deep into the essence of progressive enlightenment. He shares insights on living off-the-grid, emphasizing stillness as a path to spiritual growth. The conversation explores the meaning of grace in relation to divine abundance and contrasts acquired versus innate happiness. Russell also unpacks the intriguing symbolism of Tarot cards, including the Fool and the Emperor, and discusses how dreams can inspire profound personal transformations.
Russell Sturgess's journey reflects the transformative power of unconditional love, essential for both personal and societal growth.
Living off-grid provides Russell with a unique perspective on nature and spirituality, fostering deep self-reflection and connection.
Enlightenment is framed as a continuous journey of spiritual awareness rather than a perfect state, emphasizing ongoing personal growth.
The podcast highlights the importance of spiritual values over religious dogma, nurturing the soul towards happiness and fulfillment.
The Tarot's Major Arcana serves as a framework for understanding human experiences and personal development on the path to enlightenment.
Establishing supportive community connections is vital for spiritual growth, enriching individual journeys through shared values and practices.
Deep dives
Understanding Unconditional Love
Russell Sturgis exemplifies agape, or unconditional love, from a young age, shaping his journey into spirituality. His background in complementary health and religion has led him to become a spiritual director, guiding individuals on paths toward kindness towards themselves, others, and the planet. The approach emphasizes a deep understanding of love that is not only essential for personal growth but also necessary for societal harmony. By acknowledging the importance of love in his teachings, Russell invites listeners to reflect on the transformative power of unconditional love in their lives.
The Significance of Silence and Stillness
Russell shares his profound experiences of living off-grid in a rainforest, where silence and stillness have enabled deep reflection and a connection with nature. He highlights the benefits of solitude, likening it to hesychasm, a mystical tradition emphasizing quiet contemplation. These moments in nature cultivate a unique understanding of one's relationship with humanity and the environment. Through daily practices of stillness, Russell encourages listeners to reconnect with their inner selves and recognize their interconnectedness with the world around them.
Defining Enlightenment
Enlightenment is explored as a state of spiritual awareness, not merely an idealized perception of perfection. Russell explains that true enlightenment is understanding spiritual values and incorporating them into daily living, fostering a deeper connection to oneself and others. Misconceptions about enlightenment often lead to unrealistic expectations, yet Russell brings clarity by framing it as a journey rather than a destination. This perspective emphasizes the ongoing practice of aligning with spiritual values for personal growth and communal harmony.
Contrast Between Religious and Spiritual Values
The podcast delineates the differences between religious and spiritual values, suggesting that while both can overlap, true spiritual values emphasize love, peace, happiness, and beauty. Russell discusses how many organized religions may not always align with these spiritual values, often focusing on dogma and status instead. The insights highlight the importance of recognizing spiritual values that nurture the soul and contribute positively to personal well-being. This understanding opens pathways for individuals to seek spiritual fulfillment beyond conventional religious frameworks.
The Role of Tarot in Personal Growth
The discussion transitions to the Tarot, presenting the major arcana as a narrative of human evolution toward enlightenment. Russell's approach treats the Tarot not merely as a divination tool but as a comprehensive system that reflects internal struggles and the journey toward self-discovery. Each card represents archetypes that resonate with personal experiences, helping practitioners engage with their subconscious. This layer of understanding enhances the Tarot as a guide for navigating life's challenges and personal growth.
Navigating Suffering and Discontent
Russell believes that suffering often arises from misplaced values and societal expectations, particularly in modern contexts. He discusses how many individuals pursue happiness through external validation, leading to deeper dissatisfaction when these standards are not met. The conversation emphasizes the value of introspection and recognizing what truly brings fulfillment, advocating for a shift in focus from material success to inner peace and connection. Understanding the roots of suffering is critical for fostering resilience and finding true happiness.
The Essential Practice of Full Stops
A practical tool discussed by Russell is the concept of 'full stops' in daily life, which encourages individuals to detach from overwhelming narratives and be present with their observations. By using full stops, one can analyze situations without getting entangled in emotions or judgments, fostering clarity and mental peace. This practice allows a person to observe their reality objectively and discern their feelings without added drama. It serves as a grounding technique for navigating life's complexities and facilitates healthier decision-making.
The Journey Through the Dark Night of the Soul
Russell outlines the 'dark night of the soul' as an essential phase in spiritual growth, marking a time of deep introspection and surrender. People often experience a significant crisis that forces them to reevaluate their core values, leading to profound transformation. The journey encourages individuals to confront grief, attachments, and their personal narratives to emerge stronger and more aligned with their true essence. Authentic growth necessitates embracing the discomfort of this experience as a pathway to enlightenment.
Sustaining Connection Through Spirituality
The conversation touches upon the importance of establishing a connection to broader spiritual principles, which can help people navigate tumultuous times. Russell emphasizes finding joy, beauty, and love in daily life, fostering resilience amid external chaos. By creating meaningful rituals and practices that reflect these spiritual values, individuals can cultivate a stable sense of self. This commitment to spirituality serves as a foundation for enduring happiness and a more fulfilled existence.
The Role of Community and Guidance
Russell discusses the importance of community and support systems in navigating one’s spiritual journey. Individuals often find strength and encouragement when surrounded by like-minded people who share similar values and experiences. Engaging in group practices or programs can provide insights and validation, enriching personal growth activities. The sense of belonging fosters accountability and a deeper understanding of shared spiritual explorations.
Envisioning a Transformative Future
The podcast concludes on a hopeful note, envisioning a future where spirituality can lead to healing across communities. Russell expresses his desire to create retreats and experiences that facilitate depths of understanding and connection. By offering spaces for shared growth, individuals may discover lessons that resonate profoundly with their personal journeys. The aim is to cultivate a caring and enlightened society that embraces the power of love, beauty, and genuine human connection.
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!)
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.
