Episode 18: Wet Sponge

11/16/24 • 35 min

The sassiest of Jack’s four decks jumps right in with a reminder to be curious and proactive about learning and discovery, given that this is part of the ongoing process of evolving as a person. Dean pulls next, and the reading segues into the idea that this journey of growth may seem fraught with peril – what if what I learn undermines everything I am and know? Good! It probably needs to. But once the study and practice transitions into actionable skill, it is very important to share the wisdom with others. Not only does the giving nourish you even more, it gives the world an opportunity to benefit as well. Something to consider in the sharing: When is it important that you take credit for the effort, and when is it more productive to remain anonymous? We are filters, and people may be reflexively closed to truth if they happen to have disagreed with us in the past. Transparency and honesty are not exactly the same, so deploy them mindfully.

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Episode 17: Courageous Truth

The reading opens with a reminder that having honest conversations are an important part of maturing personally, intellectually, and socially. Source of Seeds. Planting these ideas mindfully in rows is similar to researching and deeply understanding concepts, and allows us to be able to keep those rows free of weeds when others’ poorly chosen words scatter misinformation into our field. It is important to remember that not everyone is willing or able to eat the fruits of our labor, so when we find our ideas being inappropriately attacked, it is vital to pour our efforts where they will be effective. Not everyone’s fields have fertile soil.

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Episode 19: Purpose

Here we find a bookended reading: Number 43 of 49 from Jack’s system opens and closes the reading, but in different manifestations of the concept. The idea threading through the cards is that we live an existential paradox. We are simultaneously so very important, and yet so very insignificant. But this is empowering in both directions: In the physical present, we can take responsibility for our actions as we hone our practice of sharing goodness. But within the cosmic context, we can also understand that we do not have to be perfect to be effective. The reading affirms that we have the innate ability to use our gifts, but that doing so may require a death of the ego to allow our legacy to fulfill its best potential.