Edward O. Wilson's "The Future of Life" explores the challenges facing biodiversity and the importance of conservation efforts.
Huston Smith's "Forgotten Truth" explores the commonalities and underlying wisdom found in various world religions.
The Tao Te Ching is a central text in Taoist philosophy and religion. It consists of 81 brief chapters or sections that discuss the nature of the Tao, which is described as the source and ideal of all existence. The text emphasizes living in harmony with nature, the importance of simplicity, humility, and the interconnectedness of all things. It critiques unnatural actions and social activism based on abstract moralism, advocating for a life of 'nonaction' (wu wei) and spontaneity. The text has been highly influential in Chinese philosophy and has been translated numerous times, making it one of the most translated texts in world literature[2][3][4].
This book is a biography of Joseph Campbell, presented through a series of conversations with various individuals he inspired, including poets, anthropologists, filmmakers, and other notable figures. It reflects on Campbell's lifelong exploration of mythic traditions, which he termed 'the one great story of mankind'. The book covers topics such as the origins and functions of myth, the role of the artist, the need for ritual, and the ordeals of love and romance. It provides a personal and insightful look into Campbell's life and his seminal work on the hero's journey[4][5][6].
In this book, James P. Carse distinguishes between finite and infinite games. Finite games are instrumental activities with clear rules, boundaries, and winners, such as sports, politics, and wars. Infinite games, on the other hand, are authentic interactions that aim to continue the play, changing rules and boundaries as needed. Carse explores how these concepts apply to various aspects of life, including culture, religion, sexuality, and self-discovery. He argues that finite games offer wealth, status, and power, while infinite games provide something more subtle and grander, such as true freedom and endless possibility. The book offers insights into how approaching life as either a finite or infinite game affects one's choices, satisfaction, and success[2][4][5].
Are you ready for 2025 and the challenges ahead? Paul reviews the chaos that was 2024 and shares his vision for the coming year based on numerology and the symbology of Tarot card number 9 this week on Spirit Gym.
And, if that’s not enough wisdom for you, our very special guest Julie Dean Richards, an attorney and an expert in astrology, numerology and the Tarot, offers a forecast full of change for 2025.
For Spirit Gym listeners: Explore the Spirit Gym program with a free mini-course that will help you experience more love, life and freedom at the Spirit Gym website. Download a PDF of Paul’s Master Key: The 10 Principles of Spirit Gym for free at this link.
Learn more about Julie at her Astrological Attorney website and her Crunchy Lawyer website where you can download several free guides about protecting your bodily autonomy and check out her courses. Look out for Julie on Instagram. Listen to the Feminine Alchemy podcast she hosts with Kayelee Rose and Jaye Anne Beringer on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Check out the Spirit Gym YouTube page for this FULL LENGTH episode which includes additional charts and visual guides.
Timestamps
4:00 Looking back at 2024.
13:55 Re-establishing a common field of values.
22:51 Number field basics.
33:04 The archetypical significance of 2025 embodied by the number 9.
44:19 “Your attitude will serve you best if it remains philosophical, spiritual and detached.”
52:40 Tarot archetype 9: The hermit.
56:46 Reviewing the Tarot from the perspective of spiritual development.
59:55 The difference between magic and magick.
1:10:50 The fool’s big question: Who am I?
1:25:25 “To find your soul, use your heart to feel what you know.”
1:34:13 2025: The year of the hermit.
1:45:42 Are you truly awake?
1:51:24 A mountain on a Tarot card symbolizes hard work and the progressive climb toward enlightenment.
2:00:16 How do you use your power?
2:06:04 Julie calls 2025 a year of shifts.
2:10:48 “Old thoughts are going to die.”
2:14:40 The appearance of Uranus: More innovation, being true to yourself and things breaking down.
2:20:14 What is true and false?
2:25:48 Work on your personal abundance.
2:28:45 Mars is a key player in 2025.
2:33:10 April 27, 2025 is an important date.
2:36:39 The Spirit Gym Practitioner’s Credo.
2:44:01 “Love is the verb of God.”
2:47:57 Ken Wilbur’s Four Quadrant model.
Find more resources for this episode on our website.
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Spirit Gym with Paul Chek 
