The Mary Christopher Podcast

Summer Meditation for August 12 2023

Still plenty warm and humid in so many areas around the World !!!  As we know, this can be very stressful,  The result may be that we are irritable or anxious, not sleeping as well, grumpy or grouchy, or just plain ol miserable !!!
So, what can we do to shift ourselves out of our own personal misery?  How about using a specific breathing practice like a 4:6 breath, or ladder breath?  Or, how about doing a gratitude practice to shift our perception of the world?  Or, how about chanting?
Tina Turner, one of the great vocalists of our era, used chanting to completely rebuild her life following a very challenging early life and early career.  As you probably know, Tina Turner, considered the Queen of "rock 'n roll" became a Buddhist.  She was introduced to Nichiren Buddhism and began chanting in 1973.  During interviews, Tina said that Buddhism and chanting helped her rebuild her life and have greater clarity. 
Tina passed on from Earth on May 24, 2023 from her home in Switzerland.  God Bless Tina Turner !!!

Summer Meditations for Mystics ~ Saturday July 29 2023

Noticing good things happening in the world.  Using Conscious Breathing for reducing stress and emotional tension as well as maintaining focus during your meditation.  And, helpful for improving your perspective on Life !!!

Summer Meditations for Mystics ~ July 22 2023

We are definitely having a Warm Summer.  So, I am getting up early and heading outside with my water and iced coffee to do my meditation.  This morning I did my breath work and a walking meditation before I did this podcast.  
Fortunately, the temperature was moderate and there was a lovely breeze so I was very comfortable doing my meditation and recording my podcast.  It was a little "breezy" this morning so you may hear some wind noise on the recording. 
I have found that I do much better during the day if I get outside early in the morning.  I feel more alert and definitely have more energy throughout the day.
I can highly recommend getting outside early, especially when it gets Super Hot during the day.  In my experience, Human Beings are not designed to be inside all the time.
Have a Wonderful Week.  Be sure to look for the Beauty and Wonder in Nature.
And, Remember to Breathe,
Mary Christopher

Summer Meditation for Mystics July 15 2023

I went outside to do this podcast just before Sunset when there was a gentle breeze and it was getting cooler.  As usual, I sat near 2 older trees where there was plenty of fresh O2 (oxygen) to breathe.  Whenever possible I like to be around Trees, especially older ones, to do my meditations. 
In Japan, the tradition of spending time with Trees or in Forests is known as "Forest Bathing" and has many documented benefits !!!  So, I do my best to take advantage of the O2 as well as the peacefulness found around trees.
I trust your week is going well and that you are finding some time to relax, re-center and have some quality time with yourself.
Many Blessings for a Wonderful Week ...
Mary Christopher

New Podcast withfor July 1 2023 with Breathing Exercise and Meditation

I am back with my weekly podcast !!! 
Thank You to Everyone who kept downloading and listening while I was re-grouping, re-charging, and learning to be more patient with myself.
You all are the BEST !!!
For the last several months I have meditating 2 to 3 times a day, getting more exercise outside with walking and Qigong, and allowing myself to be more Playful.  Definitely a good combination of activities ...
Currently, I am working on 2 courses that will be online classes and can also be in-person workshops !!!
Trust you and all your Family and Friends are doing well. 
Thank You again for your ongoing support and interest !!!
Have a Wonderful Week and ...
Remember to Breathe,
Mary Christopher

Special Monarch Butterfly Podcast ~ Interview with Christopher, founder of LiveMonarch.com

On July 22, 2022, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) added the migratory monarch butterfly to its “red list” of threatened species.  It is now categorized as “endangered” which is two steps from extinction. Known for its spectacular annual journey of up to 3,000 miles across the Americas, the Monarchs are threatened by habitat destruction, pesticides, and climate change. 
In this interview, Christopher (not related) tells how he became interested in Monarchs and their survival more than 21 years ago.  As his commitment to the survival of Monarchs grew, he founded the Live Monarch Educational Foundation.  Since then he has sent thousands of Milk Weed seed packets to people who care about Monarchs and want to provide the habitat they need to survive.  He and his team have also provided seeds to many people and families, teachers, schools, churches as well as local environmental groups. LiveMonarch.com
The survival of Monarchs depends a great deal on the availability of Milkweed as a safe place for Monarch eggs and to provide food for developing caterpillars.   Much native Milkweed has been destroyed by the use of insecticides and the destruction of "wildlands" due to development.  We can make a surprisingly big difference by planting Milkweed seeds in our yards or nearby open spaces.  Monarchs need Milkweed as they migrate south in the Fall and north in the Spring. 
Given enough soil, and thoughtful care, it is easy to grow Milkweed where female Monarchs can lay their eggs.  Milkweed is an indigenous and relatively hardy plant with beautiful blossoms. 
This can be a great Fall project for your family or your school or even your business.
To order Milkweed Seeds for your yard, or nearby open spaces, go to https://www.livemonarch.com/
Have a Wonderful Week, hopefully by spending more time outside !!!
And, Remember to Breathe in all that freshly made oxygen while you are outside planting Milkweed Seeds from LIveMonarch.com .
Mary Christopher

An Equinox Meditation ~ Wednesday September 21 2022

Today we are celebrating the Fall Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the Spring Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere.  For everyone in the Northern Hemisphere, our days will get shorter and our nights longer until the Winter Solstice in December.  The opposite is true for the Southern Hemisphere.
The reason we have changing seasons is primarily due to the tilt of the Earth on its axis of approximately 23.5 degrees.  There are some excellent videos on YouTube that show this.  It is much easier to understand the Earth's wobble using animation rather than trying to draw word pictures!
To get ready for the change of seasons, I have been sorting thru my closet shifting warmer clothes to the front.  And, I have been going through files, getting rid of paper that I don't need anymore, and tying up loose ends.  I am feeling very Productive !!!
We have started sprouts indoors under lights and have planted fall vegetables in large containers on the back porch.  We are going to have lots of sprouts very soon and vegetables in several weeks.  We are feeling very virtuous and healthy !!!
Happy Equinox Blessings to You and all your Family and Friends ~ Mary Christopher

Sunday Meditation Podcast for September 18 2022 ~ Favorite Tree Meditation for Stability

So much change in the World right now!  It seems like there is intense pressure on so many of the systems we have taken for granted including food production, weather patterns, and integrity in our political process.
When we have this much drama and trauma and upheaval in the world, we need to have ways to establish more stability within ourselves.  We can do this by using our spiritual practices to center ourselves and remind ourselves we are part of Creation.
Also, the more centered and relaxed we are, the more creative we can be in our own lives.  When we are centered, we get much better at solving problems and we make fewer errors in judgment.
Our famous and familiar Tree Meditation is a reliable way to create stability as well as grounding and centering ourselves.  Try it and let me know how it works for you.
Have a great week out there in the world.
Thank You for listening.  And, Remember to Breathe ~ Mary Christopher