The Mary Christopher Podcast

Sunday Meditation Podcast ~ July 24 2022 Relaxing Meditation beside the Creek

For our meditation today, I recorded the sounds of a creek that runs through the park where I often meditate.  I think I got a good recording of the creek.  For most people, running water or wave sounds are comforting and relaxing.  I hope you enjoy this "creekside" meditation.
One definite advantage of having a meditation practice you are comfortable with is that you can often find times and places to step into your "quiet space" and re-fuel or re-align.  I have found places to meditate in busy airports, the back booth in a coffee shop, or an extra quiet corner of a library.
Knowing that I have the ability to calm and center myself no matter where I am, gives me great peace of mind.  Needless to say, we want to make sure we are in a safe space before closing our eyes and focusing inward.  If you are not 100% comfortable completely closing your eyes in a "public space", you can always just look down with your eyes partly closed and focus on your breath.  Your partially closed eyes will usually detect any motion coming toward you.  Also, we can count on our electromagnetic field and limbic brain to alert us to any nearby "disturbance in the Force"!
Have a Wonderful Week.  Be sure to take good care of yourself.
And, Remember to Breathe ~ Mary Christopher

Sunday Meditation Podcast ~ July 17 2022 ~ Tree Meditation for Centering and Resting

Several people that I talked with this past week were either exhausted or dealing with health conditions or both.  Often people who are caring and responsible push themselves into exhaustion.  Not a good idea because it always takes longer to restore ourselves to a rested state than it does to get enough rest every day.
I know it is not always possible to get enough rest every day, but waiting for the weekend or our days "off" to recover just doesn't work well at all.  I have noticed that when I try to use weekends to "catch up" on my rest, I am usually just barely catching up by the end of my days off.
Teaching meditation classes and doing personal coaching, I have worked with many people who tend to over-work themselves.  So, I have come up with specific meditations and spiritual practices that are restorative and easy to do.
So, after talking to several exhausted friends this week, I decided that we would do a Tree Meditation for this podcast.  Tree meditations can be done almost anywhere, using a tree in our yard or in a park.  Or, we can use our Amazing Imagination and create the perfect imaginary tree for ourselves!  
Try this meditation which we have done before and see how well it works for you.
Have a Wonderful Week.  Take good care of yourself.
And, Remember to Breathe ~ Mary Christopher

Sunday Meditation Podcast July 10 2022 ~ Gratitude and Grace, Awareness and Breath

During July, we are focusing on Gratitude and Grace.  Specifically, we are bringing more and more awareness to our Breath in order to be more present in each moment.  We are doing this very gently and with patience as we build the neurological connections that support being in the present moment.
This is an ancient practice, variations are found in most spiritual and religious traditions.  It is always amazing to me how calming and refreshing it is to be with my breath, gently become more centered in the present.
One reason we are focused on "Gratitude and Grace" right now is because of all the drama and trauma in our world.  The upheaval and distress seem to be off the chart and can definitely interfere with our Peace of Mind as well as our ability to function in this world.
These are simple practices that can be done almost anywhere or at any time.  The more frequently we bring our awareness into the present moment, the better we are at Being Present.  Often, this is the best gift we can give to our family and our friends, as well are for our work in the world.
Trust you are doing well wherever you are in the World and that you are taking very good care of yourself.
Thank You for listening and for all the Good You Bring to the World.
And, Remember to Breathe ~ Mary Christopher

Fourth of July Meditation Podcast ~ Being Grateful for Being Here and Savoring Life

Today, July 4th is celebrated in the United States as Independence Day.   This holiday commemorates the Declaration of Independence, which was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America.
It is interesting that as this nation was ratifying its origins, much of the economy was dependent on slave labor or long-term indentured servitude.  Seems like this country was founded with great aspirations and inherent contradictions.  Here in the US, we are still trying to resolve and heal this very obvious flaw in our system.
When it seems like the entire world is in turmoil or is on a downward spiral into Chaos, we are challenged to maintain our equanimity and centeredness.  We are challenged to be "our own Best Friend" and to apply a generous helping of Compassion to our lives.  During these difficult times, it is essential to be our own "Best Friend", creating a solid spiritual and emotional foundation for plowing thru the chaos of this world.  
That is our meditation, our spiritual practice, and our Challenge for this week.
Thank You for all the Wonderful Work you do in the World.
Take very good care of yourself and 
Remember to Breathe ~ Mary Christopher

Sunday Meditation ~ If Everyone is talking and no one is listening, how can we ever solve our differences ?

Sometimes it is almost unbelievable how much difficulty and distress Humans can cause.  Obviously, humans are very creative and very determined to be right, often at any cost to ourselves or to others.
As I look at all the distress around this World, I think we have lost the fine art of listening, as well as the very useful art of conversation.
In my own experience, I have "learned to listen" as a result of or because of my meditation practices.  And, just as important, I have always loved being in Nature and being with Horses, Dogs, and Cats, as well as Cattle.  I learned to "listen" to them from a very early age.
So, back to the woods to listen to Birds, and to the Breeze moving through the leaves.
Whew !!!
Have a lovely week.  Nurture the Compassion you find in your Heart ...
And, Remember to Breathe ~ Mary Christopher

Summer Solstice Meditation for June 21 2022

Happy Summer Solstice 2022 !!!
The premise underlying many of my podcasts and classes is this ...
"If you want to understand the Creator, study Creation !!!"
This is a very ancient and wise statement that has been around for centuries.  This obvious statement has also helped me stay on track on my spiritual path as well.  And, it definitely applies to all the equinoxes and solstices.
Hope you enjoy this podcast all about the Solstice and the Planetary Array and the increased Solar Flares.
Have a Wonderful Summer Solstice.
And, Remember to Breathe ~ Mary Christopher

Sunday Meditation Podcast for Father’s Day ~ June 19 2022

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads in the World, including all the people, women and men, who are great Fathers for children who are not always direct family.  I have several people in my life who have been "great dads" to me.  The Universe does provide !!!
This is a very busy week with the Summer Solstice on Tuesday and a spectacular array of planets that can be seen just before Sunrise all week.  We will not have this same specular alignment again until 2040.   Check the National Geographic website or EarthSky for more information.
Monday evening I will be doing a Special Summer Solstice Meditation.
We are having more Solar Flares from the Sun right now, so there is definitely an upsurge in energy thru the Earth's electromagnetic fields and our personal electromagnetic fields.
If you notice that you are feeling more emotional or anxious "for no apparent reason", just remember that increased electromagnetic energy can amplify our feelings and emotions.
So, what to do ...
Spend more time in Nature which is very healing.  Be very kind to yourself and others.
And, Remember to Breathe ~ Mary Christopher

Sunday Meditation Podcast ~ June 12 2022 The Ongoing Benefits of Rest and Play !!!

Last week I took my own advice!  I rested and I relaxed by being Creative!  I did some drawing, some writing, and some fun reading.!  I also took a few relaxed walks. 
I had a lovely and restorative week!  And, I can highly recommend that to you, especially if you are exhausted, stressed out, or just plain tired.
Wishing a Wonderful and Creative Week for You.  
Thank You for all the Good you do in this world every day.
And, Remember to Breathe,
Mary Christopher