The Mary Christopher Podcast

Special ArchAngel Meditation for Compassion and Healing during our global crisis

During our Wednesday meditation class, we did an ArchAngel meditation with Raphael for Healing and Compassion for ourselves, for our families and friends, and for all the Helpers and Mystics and LightWorkers in the World.
Our meditation with Raphael was very healing, so I thought I would offer a similar ArchAngel podcast today.  
I trust it will be healing and strengthening for you.
Much Love and Many Blessings and Remember to Breathe ~ Mary

Sunday Meditation Podcast February 27 2022 Meditation for Compassion and Healing

This week I have been following the news of Putin's aggression and invasion of Ukraine.  As far as I am concerned, this is tragic for any number of reasons.  It is tragic for Everyone involved regardless of which "side" they are on.  And, it is tragic for the entire World because we need to be taking much better care of this Beautiful Little Planet that we call home instead of blowing up parts of it !!!
War, any war, is stupid and wasteful.  Putin's aggression is tragic and wasteful.  So, as Mystics, LightBearers, and LightWorkers what do we do?  What can we do to be calmer, sleep better at night and make a difference in the World?
We actually do make a difference every day by the way we treat each other and with our meditations, prayers, and spiritual practices.  Our meditation for today is specifically designed to work with any situation in our lives, our family, our neighborhood, or the World. 
Remember, Mystics have tremendous resources and we have tremendous strength in our collective practice regardless of which tradition we follow.
Thank You for your Kindness, your Compassion, and all your efforts and intentions to create a Better World for Everyone.
Many Blessings and keep up your Good Work ~ Mary Christopher

Sunday Meditation Podcast for February 20 2022 ~ How the Forests and Nature can help Humans be mroe calm.

As the Northern Hemisphere moves closer to Spring and the Southern Hemisphere toward Fall, temperatures are moderating.  We may have more opportunities to be comfortable being outside.  As you probably know, if you have listened to any of my podcasts, I much prefer being outside and meditating outside whenever possible.
There are many reasons for this.  One is that Nature, in general, is more coherent and more peaceful than most enclosed spaces inhabited by humans.  We tend to think a lot and we can have a wide range of emotions.  Basically, Trees and Plants and Animals don't think in the way that humans do.  I am certain that all Creation is Conscious and feels and responds.  Humans are gifted or burdened, however you think of it. with a lot of very specialized neurons that allow us to "think" and "imagine" and "worry".  We can use our neurons to be very creative and productive or very destructive and dangerous to ourselves and others.
One of my Sufi teachers, Murshid Samuel Lewis, used to say, "You can get more stickin' from thinkin' than you can from drinkin'!!!"  I didn't quite understand what he was getting at back in the early 70s, but it makes much more sense to me now !!!
For this podcast, I read the Introduction from one of my favorite newly-discovered books, The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben.  It is a lovely and very informative book, that encourages us to get outside and explore the Wonderful World of Nature, from the perspective of Trees.
Have a lovely week and Remember to Breathe ~ Mary Christopher

Sunday Meditation Podcast ~ February 13 2022 Being in Beijing and Being Compassionate

As I have been watching the Beijing Olympics 2022, I am reminded of being in Beijing in 1995 for the United Nations Conference on the Status of Women.  When we arrived at the Conference, one of the first groups we met were lovely ladies from Japan who folded origami Peace Crans and gave them away.  Their intention was to promote Glocal Peace.  
The other experience I have always remembered was our visit to a Taoist Temple in a Beijing neighborhood.  After we toured this lovely little temple, we asked if they had a statue of Kwan Yin.  At first, the men who minded the temple did not understand who or what we were asking about.  Then my friend, Beth, sketched an online of a Kwan Yin figure and they knew immediately what we were asking !!!  We all laughed about our "American pronunciation" of Kwan Yin.
We were asking about Kwan Yin because "She is the greatest of bodhisattvas and embodies the totality of compassion for humanity."  There are many saints and bodhisattvas who represent or embody compassion in all world religions.  Kwan Yin is one of the most widely known, especially in the Buddhist tradition.
Why is Compassion so important ... because Compassion can heal our deepest hurts and wounds, especially those related to our early childhood experiences.
Have a lovely and Compassionate Week. 
Enjoy all the Sports and Remember to Breathe ~ Mary Christopher

Sunday Meditation Podcast ~ February 6 2020 Remembering Family and Friends who have passed on ...

On Saturday I drove to North Georgia for a memorial for an old friend of many years who had passed on in December.  It was a small gathering, mostly family who had come together in a lovely valley with a creek running through it.
We took time to remember funny and wonderful things about Linda and how we remembered her.  Sometimes it is difficult or we are hesitant to remember special people who have gone on because we miss them.  And, I have found that the Love and Affection we shared is always present in my heart even though I do miss them.
So, allow yourself to remember people, to remember the fun or happy or even sad times you shared, and also remember the Love.  Allow your Heart to be comforted by that shared Love and Affection.
Have a Wonderful Week and Remember to Breathe ~  Much Love, Mary Christopher

Sunday Meditation Podcast ~ January 30 2022 Acknowledging all the Wonderful People doing their best everyday !!!

During this past week, many of us have been aware of the passing of Thich Nhat Hanh and also aware of the contributions he made through his teaching, his books, and his efforts for world peace.  "Thay" was a very public figure so we know something about his gifts and contributions to the World.
There are also 100s and 1000s of amazing people all around the world, doing their best to make this World a better place for Everyone every day.  Because of Thay's deep compassion, I am sure he was aware of all the people, often with challenging lives, who are doing their best to be a blessing in the World.
So, let's find ways to support each other in our Spiritual Practices and our work so we can continue our daily efforts to be a Blessing in the World !!!
Have a Wonderful Week and Remember to Breathe ~ Mary Christopher

Sunday Meditation Podcast for January 23 2022 ~ Celebrating the Long and Generous Life of Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh, one of the most important spiritual leaders of our time, died January 22, 2022 at Từ Hiếu Pagoda in Vietnam. He was 95 years young !!!
I have been aware of Thay and have studied his teachings since the 1960s when he was calling for an end to the war in Vietnam.  Thay was Vietnamese.  His family, friends, and early Buddhist training were all in Vietnam.
At the same time we are feeling loss with his passing, we can also experience the wonderful Blessing of his life.
Please remember in your prayers his Buddhist family, sangha, and all those who loved him, in France at Plum Village, in Vietnam, in the United States, and around the World.
Thay, thank you for Being here with us for 95 years !!!
 

Sunday Meditation Podcast ~ January 15 2022 Remembering how to be more Playful and Creative

Why would we want to be more Playful and Creative?  Or, why would we want to be a little less serious and stressed?
Good Questions ...
One very good reason is that when we are more creative and playful, we are usually more relaxed and at ease with ourselves.  This means our digestion is better.  And that we are sleeping better and our Immune System is working more effectively !!!
Another good reason for being more playful and creative is that our problem-solving abilities are enhanced.  That is definitely good news for most of us who are dealing with the technology and rapid changes of our "modern world".  
I have also found that my meditation practice goes much better when I am less serious and more playful !!!
Wherever you are, have a Wonderful Week and take very good care of yourself, in a creative and playful way.
Thank you for listening and Remember to Breathe ~ Mary Christopher