The Mary Christopher Podcast

What Is Pollen? Caring for Creation ~ April 8 2025

Pollen is a fine powder produced by certain flowering plants when they reproduce.  During the spring, summer, and fall seasons, it's released into the air and picked up by the wind, which brings it to other plants to fertilize them.  Plants that are fertilized produce seeds with similar or identical DNA so when those seeds germinate in the soil, they produce a similar plant!  Creation is so Amazing !!!
Many plants release tiny pollen grains to fertilize other plants of the same species.  Most of the pollen that causes allergic reactions comes from trees, grasses, and weeds. These plants make small, light, and dry pollen grains that travel by the wind.
We are also familiar with Bee Pollen which is a mixture of pollen grains collected from flowers by foraging bees.  It is carried back to their hive and mixed with their saliva, nectar, and enzymes.  It is a natural food source that bees use to feed their young.  Bee pollen also contains a wide range of nutritious elements, including proteins, carbs, lipids, and dietary fibers, as well as bioactive micronutrients including vitamins, minerals, phenolic, and volatile compounds.  We have seen photos of bees on flowers gathering Nectar.  In most of those pictures, we can see the yellow or orange-colored pollen sticking to the bee’s legs.
Bees do not go to flowers to deliberately gather pollen.  They are drawn to flowers to gather Nectar which is also a food source for the hive.  It is part of nature’s design that Bees “gather” pollen on their legs as they move across the face of the flower.  So, both the nectar and the pollen are gathered at the same time and used as food for young bees.  This is also the way that flowers are cross-pollinated.  Nature is very efficient that way!
When I was growing peaches in Texas, I loved to watch the Bees and other pollinators like Wasps and some Beetles crawling across the blooms.  I knew these pollinators were necessary to fertilize my peach blossoms if there were going to be Peaches!  Fortunately, all the Pollinators did their job and I always had peaches!  They never bothered me because they were so busy pollinating!!!
Most of us are familiar with Pollen due to our allergies.  Unfortunately, some humans do have an allergic reaction to certain pollen.  This is the reason the “pollen count” is often shown on weather apps and weather reports.  Some people can reduce their reactions by taking organic remedies.  Others of us need to take antihistamines every 12 hours just to get through the day.  Fortunately, pollen season does not last forever!
Bee pollen can help those of us with allergies by reducing inflammation in our system.  Flavonoids and phenolic acids like those found in Bee Pollen have been scientifically shown to reduce inflammation of the human body.  These can help mitigate symptoms associated with inflammatory illnesses.  Studies have shown that reducing inflammation is key to preventing and treating so many common disease states.  Our ancestors and native people were very familiar with natural remedies which they probably used all the time.
All the Pollinators need our help due to a loss of wildflowers and the increased use of pesticides.  So much of the farm and country land that supported wildflowers has been plowed under or turned into housing developments.  But, as homeowners, we can make a big difference by planting Pollinator Gardens that provide food and shelter for all these beneficial insects!  
Planting pollinator gardens in our yards creates a much healthier environment for humans (that’s us), birds, frogs, lizards, and all the other invisible creatures who contribute to our well-being.  Many of these wonderful creatures eat most of the insects that we don’t want, like mosquitoes!  So, we don’t really need to use pesticides on our lawns and property.  All we need to do is work with Nature and plant Pollinator Gardens!
 
Mary teaches mindfulness and spiritual practices.
She leads Heart Coherence groups and offers individual coaching.
Through her “Caring for Creation” podcast, she shares practices
for connecting with the earth and our spirituality.

Inner Peace Guided Meditation ~ April 6 2025

This is our inner peace guided meditation for April 6, 2025.  We have had another exciting or depressing or too exciting or “you fill in the blank that works for you”.  I'm ready to move to a small cabin in the woods and hang out there until the shouting is over!  There are aspects to this whole political situation that are so frustrating for me.  One of the things that bothers me the most, is how emotionally, politically, and spiritually immature we seem to be as humans.  We, in general, have such difficulty working together.  Politically, we have difficulty even carrying on useful or helpful conversations with each other.  That is so frustrating!  Apparently, this is where we are right now!
 
One of the techniques I've been working with this week is a little sound trick I learned years ago. I probably learned this at a retreat or a workshop.  It is a humming technique, and you may be familiar with it.  It is similar in a quiet way to what Buddhist monks are doing when they're chanting OM.  We know that the OM sound sets up very specific frequencies that are healing, unifying, and calming.  Based on scientific research, we know when we hum in the area in our throat and along our sternum, we are working with our vagus nerve.  Humming helps shift our nervous system from sympathetic, which is fight, flight, or freeze, toward the parasympathetic which is calming and centering.  When we are calm and centered, our digestion starts to work again, and all those other helpful systems come back online.  This includes our immune system as well as our ability to listen, think, and make better decisions.
 
We get centered, take a few breaths, and then just quietly hum in our throat and in our sternum area.  I use this when I'm having difficulty getting centered, or getting into a meditation.  I use this humming technique if my brain is too busy when I'm trying to go to sleep.  I use this any time I am feeling out of sorts or discombobulated.  Studies have shown that humming shifts our system from sympathetic toward the parasympathetic.  Humming for a few minutes can give us a much calmer, much more organized, and functional brain.  I can happily recommend this, especially when our world seems so crazy.  
 
 We know this chaos is not going to last forever.  Some of us have lived through the 60s, and the 70s, and the '80s, and the '90s.  So we know it is not going to last forever,   but sometimes it does feel like it.  This is when we take a walk in the woods, doing some Forest bathing, or join a group doing a coherent meditation.  There are groups all over the Internet and there are plenty of apps for group coherence.  The one I like to work with is the HeartMath coherence group.  They usually have several meditations during the week.  Often there are 300, 400, 500, maybe even a thousand people, using the HeartMath breath to be calm and coherent.  These are people all around the world who are working together.  That is one thing we can do.  We've been doing our group meditation here for more than a year.   I don't know how many of you are using this guided meditation on Sunday evening, but that's when I like to meditate.  Remember, there is tremendous value, support, and effort out there in the world.  These coherence groups are meditating for healing, peace, or greater awareness.  At any given moment somewhere in the world, there are at least a thousand people meditating, chanting, or doing walking meditations to help the world. This is something I remind myself of often!  
 
Any time you are feeling discouraged, sad, or down, or too up to go to sleep, try the humming.  I'll do it on the recording.  And remember how many people, all around the world are working to make the world better for everyone.  There are lots of us on the job!
 
 Thank you for everything you are doing to make the world a better place. Thank you for showing up.  Thank you for taking the time to meditate, or pray, or feed people, or just cleaning up the trash.  We have at least 10 or 12 people in Tulsa who are putting in pollinator gardens or seriously planning for one.  This is the result of our pollinator gardening program that we did last Saturday.  We've got some momentum and we've got excitement!  People doing something creative which will help the Pollinators !!!
 
Mary teaches mindfulness and spiritual practices.  
She leads Heart Coherence groups and offers individual coaching.  
Through her “Caring for Creation” podcast, she shares practices 
for connecting with the earth and our spirituality.

Beneficial Bugs and Native Plants ~ Caring for Creation

Beneficial Bugs and Native Plants ~ Caring for Creation
On Saturday, March 29, we had a Pollinator Gardening Event at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  This is the first event on gardening or native plants at St. Dunstan’s.  We had no idea how many folks might show up.  We also had growers from 2 Oklahoma Native Plant Nurseries ~ Across the Prairie and Life Affirming Farm.
We filled the room!  Karen Watkins, an Oklahoma Master Gardner, talked about Beneficial Insects.  Sarah Cross discussed Oklahoma Native Plants.  Alex with Life Affirming Farm, answered questions about planting and caring for native plants.  Mary Christopher talked about the wonders and mysteries of Creation.  And, we gave away 5 wonderful Pollinator Insect posters donated by Master Gardeners and Karen Watkins!  Many people stayed afterward to talk with the presenters and the growers.  People were still buying plants at 1 pm.  We had a Great Time!
In May we will have an event dedicated to caring for and providing habitat for Monarchs!  Okies for Monarchs and Plant Milkweed for Monarchs will be there.  We are also hoping to have some of our local native nurseries with Milkweed plants.  In the meantime, you can check out www.plantmilkweek.org and www.monarchwatch.org 
Have a wonderful week and be kind to all Pollinators.  We need them more than we know!
Mary teaches mindfulness and spiritual practices.  She leads Heart Coherence groups and offers individual coaching.  Through her “Caring for Creation” podcast, she shares practices for connecting with the earth and our spirituality.
 

Inner Peace and Caring for Creation

This Saturday, March 29, I was one of 3 speakers at a Caring for Creation program hosted by St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Karen Watkins, a Master Gardener, talked about Pollinators and how to recognize and protect them. Sarah Cross, who runs Across the Prairie native plant nursery, spoke about all the benefits of gardening with Native Plants.
 
I talked about Caring for Creation and how all of Creation is so essential to our well-being. As usual, I forgot to turn on the recording at the beginning, but the only thing missing is the introduction.
 
This recording does not include our usual Sunday evening guided meditation but does discuss Forest Bathing and the benefits of “meditating with Trees”! After my talk, several people told me they wanted to go hiking with me in the nearby “Old Growth Forests” and try meditating with a Tree !!!
 
We had a great time! The 2 native plant nurseries who brought plants, sold more than half their inventory !!! When we planned this Saturday morning program, we had no idea how many people might show up. So, everyone was delighted with the turnout and the response.
 
I will post a guided meditation next Sunday. I am sure everyone can manage an Inner Peace Meditation this evening. Have a Wonderful Week and spend some time anywhere you can out in Creation, even if it is only for an hour. You will be so glad that you did … !!!
 
Mary teaches mindfulness and spiritual practices. She leads Heart Coherence groups and offers individual coaching. Through her “Caring for Creation” podcast, she shares practices for connecting with our Sacred Earth and our spirituality.

Caring for Creation ~ Where to Start?

During the week, I usually talk to several people about pollinator gardens, heirloom vegetable seeds, or native plant nurseries.  Then toward the end of the conversation, I usually say, “Here are 2 or 3 great resources for help with your new garden project.”  And, I name the state Native Plant Society, the Master Gardener Program, and the Department of Agriculture extension offices.  At that point, I noticed that people’s eyes tend to glaze over and the conversation winds down.  
After a while, I decided that many people are not familiar with any of these organizations or services!  So, I am including a short description of 3 of these, the Native Plant Society, the Master Gardener Program, and the state agriculture extension offices.
Each state has its own Native Plant Society organization.  Here is a description of the Oklahoma Native Plant Society from Wikipedia …
“The purpose of the Oklahoma Native Plant Society, organized in 1986, is to encourage the study, protection, propagation, appreciation, and use of Oklahoma’s Native Plants.  It sponsors activities including field trips, a spring wildflower workshop, and a wildflower photo contest. The society also publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Gaillardia, which keeps members informed of activities and contains stories and essays about wildflowers. In addition, the society sponsors Color Oklahoma, a project dedicated to the beautification of Oklahoma's highways via the planting of wildflowers and maintenance of naturally occurring wildflower populations in right-of ways.”
 
Master Gardener programs can be found in every state in the U.S. that I am aware of.  Here is a general online of the program …
EXPERT GARDENING ADVICE FROM A MASTER GARDENER
Gardeners often become indispensable volunteers in their communities—creating gardens, conducting research, giving lectures, and contributing to other local horticultural efforts. Individuals must complete intensive horticultural training, typically available through universities in the U.S. and Canada, to become a certified Master Gardener.
“Agriculture extension services in each state teach agriculture, home economics, as well as basics of gardening to the public.  The mission of the Extension services is to "advance agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities" by supporting research, education, and Extension programs at land-grant universities.”  For more information about Pollinators, visit farmers.gov/pollinators  
Most of these organizations have local headquarters or offices.  The Native Plant Society and the Master Gardener program are all-volunteer, so it may take a day or two for them to get back to you.  And, they will respond to your call or email!
Most USDA offices are staffed by professional agriculture folks who are able to answer your questions or point you in the right direction.
In addition, there are numerous groups and organizations dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enlarging the Monarch Butterfly population!  These include …
Several organizations dedicate themselves to monarch butterfly conservation, including the Monarch Joint Venture, Monarch Butterfly Fund, Monarch Watch,  The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, and the National Wildlife Federation!  In Oklahoma, we have Okies for Monarchs!
So, wherever you live or whatever you want to do, beekeeping, gardening, supporting pollinators, cleaning waterways, counting birds, there is plenty to do.  And, there is extensive and knowledgeable support for you as well!
Have a Wonderful Spring season and enjoy all the Wonder and Beauty of Creation !!!

Creation Is Working Just Fine ~ Caring for Creation March 23, 2025

Now for the Global Weather Report … Creation Continues to Work Just Fine !!!
Humans, however, seem to be having difficulty getting along.  I wanted to mention that in case you had not noticed.  And, we seem to be sinking to new lows on the “Love Your Neighbor” scale!  However, I am not giving up on Humanity, but I am increasing my prayers and meditations.
Again, this week, I am struggling with my allergies.  For the past 2 weeks, we have had a high pollen count which is very good thing.  And, there have been at least 100 wildfires in the general area of NE Oklahoma.  Many people have lost their homes and many more are in the process of recovery.  The winds and the ash from fires as well as the high pollen count have brought difficulties for those of us with “sensitive lungs”.  We are hoping for better weather and not as much wind this week!
Whenever I hear of Wildfires, regardless of where they are, I am always reminded of the Courage and Dedication of all the Firefighters, EMS personnel, Police and State Troopers who respond to these events.  I am also reminded of the Goodness and Generosity of Wonderful Neighbors and Friends who respond with kindness, food, shelter, and prayers.  Far too often we only hear “negative news” about people and events that are difficult and scary.  And, I know about the Goodness of Friends, Relatives and Neighbors from first-hand experience.  We are a nation of very good and generous people!
For the past several years, I have been deeply committed to sharing what I understand about mindfulness, meditation, and heart coherence.  I have also been very focused on Caring for Creation.  Some days the rising level of negativity in the World seems almost overwhelming.  But I am determined that “a rising tide lifts all boats”.  So, I will continue to share what I know and have experienced through my spiritual practice.  And, I will continue to remind us that our survival on this Earth requires our attention and care of Creation.  The Earth does NOT need us aboard !!!  We need to care for the Earth for Human Beings to survive. 
Here is our Guided Meditation for Sunday, March 23, 2025.  Thank You for all you are doing every day to make the World a better place for Everyone.  And, take very good care of yourself! 
Mary Christopher

Spring Is Here !!! Caring for Creation March 20, 2025

This year Spring officially arrived at 5:01 am EDT (2:01 am PDT).  For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, this is marked by the arrival of the Spring Equinox.  It signals the Fall Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere.
Equinox translates from Latin as “equal night” or “equal day, equal night”.  This happens when the Sun is positioned directly over the equator, so we have approximately 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night (give or take a few minutes).
During Spring, the path of the Sun continues to move north, increasing the duration of Sunlight.  When the Sun reaches the Tropic of Cancer (latitude 23.5 degrees north), it has arrived at the point of the Summer Solstice.  This is the beginning of Summer for the northern hemisphere and is usually the longest day of the year (give or take a few hours).  On the Summer Solstice, the Sun appears to stop on its journey heading north and pause.  This is why it is called Solstice, derived from the Latin word SOL (Sun) and sister, “to stand still”.  After the Summer Solstice, the Sun appears to move south, back toward the equator and our days grow shorter.
This apparent “up and down” motion of the Sun is the result of the wobble in the Earth’s rotation of its axis.  Our Sun is not actually moving up and down on the horizon, even though it looks like that.  More on that in another article and podcast.  The good news for gardeners and hikers is that the hours of daylight are increasing and the weather is getting warmer!
We often have a late frost, meaning a hard or light frost that comes after the Spring Equinox.  So, it is a good idea to wait a week or two before putting any new seedlings out in your spring garden.  This is also a good time to get over to your favorite nursery to pick up any vegetable plants that you didn’t have time to start from seed.  You might also find a fruit tree or vine that needs a good home.  We usually prefer planting “heirloom” seeds or plants, rather than “gmo” or those that are genetically modified.  
Also consider picking up a few pollinator-friendly plants, especially perennials.  If you plant more pollinator-friendly plants, you will usually have more fruits and vegetables.  The more happy pollinators you attract to your garden, the more blossoms will be pollinated!
This is a wonderful time of year for a long walk in the woods or a day hike in the nearest county, state, or national park.  When we slow down and take time to walk in the woods, we are lowering our stress levels and becoming more centered and coherent.  Many people find they usually sleep better, meaning deeper and longer, after spending an afternoon in the forest.  In Japan, this is known as “forest bathing”.  The Japanese, the Germans, and the Koreans have all done scientific studies, showing all the positive results just from a few hours spent in the forest!
We will have a partial solar eclipse on March 29.  This is the first Solar Eclipse of 2025!  It will be visible in parts of North America, Europe, Africa, throughout Greenland, and Iceland, as well as parts of the Atlantic and Arctic oceans.  March is going to be a busy month for all kinds of wonderful and healthy activities out-of-doors!
Remember,  if you are feeling too stressed, or just worn out with all the political chaos, step out of civilization and back into Creation for a while.  Creation is working just fine, and Spring is a great time to remind ourselves of all the Beauty and Wonder that surrounds us. 
 
Mary Christopher teaches mindfulness, breathing practices, 
and the HeartMath program for Building Personal Resilience.  
She loves gardening and meditating with Trees!
 

Staying Present Even in the Chaos ~ Inner Peace Guided Meditation

This past week we had high winds, high pollen counts, and at least 100 Wildfires all over Oklahoma!  There are still fires going, but no high winds today.
My allergies kicked in and I got behind on my podcasting schedule.  I did get the podcast done, but not the notes.  
Here is the podcast without notes.  My allergies are better, but I am not taking my daily walk.
Have a great week and take really good care of yourself.  Mary