The Mary Christopher Podcast

Inner Peace Guided ArchAngel Meditation ~ Sunday December 1 2024

Inner Peace Guided Meditation with the ArchAngels!
Welcome to the Holidays!  Suggestions for Building Emotional Resilience
November was certainly a challenging month regardless of which side of the fence you were on.  One of the most disturbing parts for me was the increase in negativity and blaming.  We have seen this kind of political behavior in the past and it is usually tragic.  I have friends who are very good people, who have become very cynical and in some cases are now "hating" people that they don't agree with.
We know what "hating" does to us.  When we make a practice of judging or hating or becoming more and more cynical, we damage ourselves with these negative emotions.  When we generate any negative emotion, our body immediately generates Cortisol and other stress hormones that throw us into "flight, or fight, or freeze". 
These chemicals are useful if we are physically or emotionally threatened in any way.  But, if these chemicals are generated due to our personal fears, anger, or frustration, then they are damaging to our whole system.  When we choose these negative feelings day are day, we are primarily hurting ourselves!
So, what can we do?  At the very least, we can practice Respect.  We may not agree with someone, but we can respect their right to their perspective.  If they want to fight about it, we can always walk away!  And, we can choose to be aware of our thoughts and where we are putting our attention.  Being aware of our thoughts and feelings is like catching a train just as it starts down a track going to a dead-end destination.  We can always switch tracks!
What else can we do?  We can carefully choose where we focus our attention.  And, we can always ask for help from the Universe.  During the Holidays, in my meditation classes, we do a special ArchAngel meditation.  One of the reasons I like doing these meditations is that the belief in ArchAngels is shared by the Christian and Jewish traditions as well as Islam!  So, it is a unifying spiritual practice!
This particular meditation turns up in the Celtic tradition and is also found in mystical Judaism.  I read both in the podcast.  These are wonderful evening or bedtime meditations, asking for Divine Protection.
Have a Wonderful Week and Thank You for everything you are doing to make this world a better place for Everyone!
And Remember to Breathe ...
Mary Christopher
 

Caring for Creation and Counting Our Blessings ~ Thanksgiving 2024

We are so deeply blessed and cared for by Creation every day in so many ways.  And we are often so busy or so preoccupied that we don't notice.  For instance, if we step outside as the Sun is rising and soak up a few minutes of golden Sunlight, our brain will produce serotonin which helps us wake up!  Serotonin is a neurotransmitter signaling our bodies that it is daytime.
This early morning Sunlight triggers specialized cells in our retina which causes serotonin production.  Sufficient serotonin levels help us to wake up, and stay awake during the day.  Serotonin is also linked to improved mood as well as having a sense of well-being.
Then, at night when the Sun goes down, our brain can use serotonin to produce melatonin.  Melatonin is the neurotransmitter that signals the brain, saying it is time for us to go to sleep.  We now live with so much “artificial light”, not only from light fixtures, but also from all our high-tech screens, that our brain gets confused and doesn’t trigger the process of changing serotonin to melatonin.  This is why many people take a melatonin supplement to go to sleep at night!
These patterns of waking up with the Sun and going to sleep sometime after Sunset developed over thousands and thousands of years.  We have had candles and oil lamps for centuries, but these could not produce the very bright lights that we live with now.  If you want to be more awake during the day and begin to feel drowsy at night, try welcoming the Sun as it comes up in the morning.  In the evening, lower the level of indoor lighting and turn off those screens at a reasonable hour. 
You may find you are sleeping deeper and waking up feeling more rested!  You may also feel more alert during the day!  Remember, changing our waking and sleeping patterns will not happen instantly.  It may take at least a week or more.  But stay with it and you may find you are sleeping better and are more awake during the day!
Chlorophyll is another great blessing that we rarely, if ever, think about.  In photosynthesis, chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that absorbs light energy from the Sun.  This energy triggers the chemical process in leaves that converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose (sugar) and oxygen.  This works in all green plants, including grass.
Chlorophyll is the primary molecule responsible for capturing the sunlight that triggers this chemical reaction we call photosynthesis!  Chlorophyll and human blood are similar in their chemistry.  Chlorophyll has magnesium(Mg) at its center, while hemoglobin in human blood has an iron (Fe) molecule!  In plants, the chlorophyll absorbs Sunlight.  In humans, the Iron in red blood cells carries oxygen (O2) from our Heart to cells throughout our body!  All this happens in our bodies and in leaves without any effort or even a single thought on our part!  Amazing !!!
So, the next time you see the Sun rise, or walk on the green grass past trees with thousands of leaves, remember how blessed we are.  Creation is working all the time to sustain our lovely little gem of a planet for Humans and all Creatures, Great and Small!
Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving, remembering all our Blessings in Creation …
Mary Christopher teaches mindfulness, 
breathing practices, and building personal resilience.  
Gardening and Being in Nature are among her favorite activities.

Inner Peace Meditation and Podcast for Sunday, November 24 2024

Welcome to a New Week! This is Thanksgiving week in the United States and the beginning of the holidays.  As usual the "holiday shopping experience" has already begun.  And, it seems to be gearing up earlier and earlier every year !!!
I recorded this podcast in the "Urban Wilderness" on Turkey Mountain, on the west side of Tulsa.  It is known as an Urban Wilderness because it is close to the city and very accessible to hikers, bikers, and people with their dogs (on leases of course).  It is also a very busy place, open 7 days a week for walking, hiking, and biking on 45 miles of trails!
This is the perfect kind of place for "forest bathing", much like similar places in Germany, Japan, Norway, and other locations in the U.S.  It is easy to see the almost universal effect of "forest bathing" for hikers and bikers.  Everyone is Friendly and at least somewhat Relaxed!  At first, I didn't notice, but after passing a few people, including family groups, I realized how courteous and friendly people were.  I felt like I was walking near a village with "neighbors" coming and going.
We have excellent research documenting the effects of "forest bathing" or "forest camping".  For instance, we know that walking in the forest generates Endorphins in the Human body.  Endorphins are peptides, or small proteins, that act as neurotransmitters in the body. They are produced in the brain's pituitary gland and hypothalamus and generate a feeling of well-being.  This means our stress levels are going down!  We are becoming more relaxed and at ease with ourselves.
We all know that life on Earth can be very challenging and stressful.  If we think about it, we also understand that maintaining our health and general sanity is directly related to our ability to manage "stress".  So, what could be better than a walk in the woods with Sunshine coming through the trees, breathing fresh air, and finding that wonderful sense of freedom as we move along the trail ???
Thank You so much for everything you are doing every day to make our World a bit better for Everyone.  Have a great week and,
Remember to Breathe ... in the Woods if possible!
Mary Christopher teaches mindfulness, 
breathing practices, and building personal resilience.  
Gardening and Being in Nature are among her favorite activities.
 

Caring for Creation by Supporting Pollinators !!!

What Is Better Than Caring about Creation ... ?
How about Participating with Creation ... ?
 
We have an opportunity right now to work with Creation to support all kinds of wonderful Pollinators, right here in the Northern Hemisphere.  In past Creation Care articles and podcasts, we have discussed how important it is to provide the plants and habitat that all Pollinators need every year.  It is so important that our Pollinator Partners, have the plants they need to survive and to support the next generation of Pollinators.  
 
Fall is a great time to put in a few plants specifically for Pollinators, or start some seeds.  Planting now gives those plants and seeds time to put down roots, and sprout when the weather warms up.  Plants we start now will be available in the Spring when all the Pollinators show up!  Even late fall is a better time to plant than none at all!
 
When we create Gardens specifically for Pollinators, even small gardens at home, at our business, or in our churchyards, we are providing a "safe space" for them to survive and thrive.  We know several varieties of Bees, Butterflies, Bats, Beetles, Birds, and even Moths are reliable pollinators.  They play a vital role in pollinating crops like apples, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, melon, peaches, potatoes, vanilla, almonds, coffee, and chocolate!
 
To help pollinators, we can incorporate native plants into our lawn or garden. You can also plant fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs, like blueberry, raspberry, elderberry, currants, and apple.  Even if you don't have a yard, you can put a flower box on your balcony and plant herbs like mint, cilantro, dill, and oregano which will attract pollinators.
 
Climate change is causing pollinators to shift their ranges and lag behind these changing climatic conditions.  All these wonderful and amazing creatures depend on us (human beings) to help them survive unpredictable shifting weather patterns.  It is difficult enough for humans to deal with some of these more extreme changes, and we even have the Weather Channel!
 
We can make a difference!  And, we can get it done without too much time or effort.  If you are interested, search online for your state Native Plant Society, or look up the Nature Conservancy.  Last weekend I found a local Native Plant Society "seed swap" on Facebook.  They were set up in a nearby community center.  All I had to do was walk in the door and start asking people behind the tables how to get started.  An hour or so later, I left with lots of seeds, phone numbers, pamphlets, a large 2025 planting calendar, and a brand-new Fiskars steel trowel !!!  The trowel was a door prize, just for showing up !!!  I was a Happy Camper !!!
 
All these folks were knowledgeable and happy to answer my questions.  If you plant in your yard now, or in a pot on your porch, you will be so pleased when you step outside and see your first Monarch or Bee pollinating an early blossom.  If you are prepared with your camera, you can get a photo and post it online!
 
Remember, our Amazing Pollinators are counting on you !!!
 
Mary Christopher teaches mindfulness, 
breathing practices, and building personal resilience.  
Gardening and Being in Nature are among her favorite activities. 
 

Stepping Back into Creation ~ Inner Peace Guided Meditation for Sunday, November 17, 2024

Stepping Back into Creation ...
 
What can we do when "civilization" is just too much, or way too crazy?
 
We can always step back into "Creation"!  That means finding a comfortable place in a forest, in a park with a friendly Tree, or by a lake or a stream.  Forests, especially Old Growth Forests, and large parks are much more coherent and calm than many city neighborhoods.  Although, numerous studies have shown that neighborhoods with more Trees are usually more peaceful and have less crime!
 
As we know, humans are acclimated to Nature, even though it may take us a few visits to remember and "feel" at home in the woods.  As we settle down, we may notice that our shoulders relax and drop away from our ears.  We may also notice that our breathing is deeper and steadier.  We may take a very deep breath and end with a long sigh.  This is known as a "psychological sigh" and usually indicates we are now in a deeper state of relaxation.
Click here to go directly to Mary's podcast ...
 
The rustling of leaves as the breeze moves through the trees is calming for most people.  Sunlight filtering through trees is restful for our eyes.  Even though everything in Creation is in motion, it is usually coherent and calming.  Sitting in the Woods, by a stream or a lake can often bring on a nap or at the very least, a big yawn.
 
Another way to think about this is to remember that Atoms are made up of 99.99999999% space.  It follows that Molecules are 99.99999999% space.  So, Humans must be 99.9999999% !!!  That means we Humans, and all of the natural world around us are not as "dense" as we think we are!  How about that ... ?
 
As I remind myself that my body is 99.999999% space, I often feel "lighter" or at the very least, less dense.  At that point, I usually relax a little bit more and feel calmer.  At this point, someone in one of my classes will ask, "If everything in the physical realm is 99.9999% space, why can't I put my hand through that wall?"
 
You may have figured this out already.  We are not able to put our hand through the wall because our hand and the wall have the same density!  Most of us know people who have tried to put their hand or fist through a wall and it has not turned out well for them.
 
So what is the point of remembering that we are 99.9999% space?  Because we are reminded that we are not as "dense" as we may feel.  And, if we allow ourselves to relax into all this lovely space, it may be easier for us to discover our "place of Inner Peace".  Our Inner Peace is always within us, and always available, especially as we settle into Creation.
 
The longer we stay in our place of Inner Peace, the better all our systems function.  The more relaxed we are, the more centered and coherent we are.  Our digestion works better.  Our Immune System is much more effective and we begin to "recharge".  And, that is a Blessing!
 
Have a Wonderful Week and,
 
Remember to Breathe ...
 
Mary Christopher teaches mindfulness, 
breathing practices, and building personal resilience.  
Gardening and Being in Nature are among her favorite activities. 

What Is So Special about Old Growth Forests? Caring for Creation Podcast November 13, 2024

What Is So Special about Old Growth Forests?
An Old Growth or Ancient Forest is a forest that has developed over time with very little disturbance.  They usually have old trees, sometimes more than 200, 300, or even more than 500 years old!  They often have very tall trees such as the redwood forests on the west coast.
These forests also have a complex structure.  They will often have a variety of trees and plant life that support diverse wildlife.  They will have trees in different stages of growth from very old to less than a few years old.
Most of these forests have deep layers of organic material such as leaves, twigs, and tree bark.  As these layers disintegrate, the nutrients from plant material build the soil and nurture all the plant life underneath.
Often these forests are populated by plant and animal species that are native..  This helps protect native species and encourage their growth!  Native plants also help support insects that thrive there.  This, in turn, helps support the native plants.  So, it is a very beneficial and economical system.
Ancient Forests also sequester or “trap” large amounts of Carbon Dioxide (CO2).  This is a great benefit for our planet because of all the “carbon emissions” we have produced since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
All trees and green plants absorb CO2 through their leaves.  Using photosynthesis, the CO2 is broken down into Carbon and Oxygen (O2).  The O2 is released back into the atmosphere while the Carbon is used to make sugars to feed the tree or built into the tree itself.
This process goes on in all green leaves primarily during the day because photosynthesis is triggered by Sunlight!  So, if you want to breathe really “fresh air”, go sit with a Tree for a while.  You will be amazed at how much better you will feel just from breathing Fresh Air!
Many people take the time to hike in the woods or sit by a lake that is part of an ancient forest.  Lakes and forests, just about anywhere in Nature, remind us of Creation.  Most of us who live in “civilization” often feel tired or rundown.  We may get to the end of the week feeling generally frustrated and wondering why.
One reason may be that we are spending most of our time outside of the Natural World.  For centuries we have lived in or near forests, lakes, or oceans, immersed in the cycle of seasons related to farming, gardening, or fishing.  Now we live in towns or cities, rarely putting our feet on the Earth or seeing stars at night.  In some places, it is even difficult to see a beautiful Sunrise or a glorious Sunset!  We may be depressed because we are deprived!
If you are inspired to step back into Nature, then look for a park with trees or an Ancient Forest.  In the United States, we have the Old Growth Forest Network.  There are 39 states with 271 protected forests registered in this network.  These are wonderful areas to hike or spend the day in a quiet spot.  In some countries, spending time in the woods is known as “forest bathing” and is highly recommended for reducing stress!  Scientific studies of Human Beings who spend time in the forest have shown there are specific benefits.
Georgia has 17 Old Growth Forests.  Twelve of these forests are in DeKalb County, one is in Gwinnett and one is the Fernbank Forest.  Another is in the Chattahoochee National Forest.  If you are anywhere in or around the counties that make up the Atlanta metroplex, you have plenty of opportunities for Forest Bathing!  Oklahoma has 2 Old Growth Forests, Keystone and Turkey Mountain.  Keystone is east of Tulsa and the Turkey Mountain Forest is in west Tulsa.
California has 24 Old Growth forests.  Florida has 10 and Texas has 2. 
Have a Wonderful Week and remember, if you want to understand more about the Creator, try spending more time in Creation!  Find out what Creation can do for You.  You may be amazed and delighted … !!!

Stepping Back Into Creation ~ Inner Peace Guided Meditation for Sunday, November 10 2024

Stepping Back into Creation ...
 
Good News ~ This weekend my total count of downloads went from 7987 on Friday evening to 8012 Saturday morning !!!  Thank You for downloading and listening!  I appreciate your comments and your support very much.  I want to know what is useful and helpful to you from our meditations.  By doing our spiritual practices and working together we can create a more peaceful world for Everyone!
 
Here in the United States, we are recovering from a very contentious and divisive national election.  There is a definite shortage of Inner Peace.  So, any contribution of Inner Peace you can make today and during the week will 
be very helpful!
 
Today I stepped away from civilization and into Creation.  I am sitting with a lovely oak tree in the midst of many wonderful trees in the Keystone Ancient Forest!  This is an Old Growth Forest Preserve about 20 minutes outside Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The Sun is shining through the Trees.  There is a soft breeze gently blowing through the tops of the trees.  My mind is calming down and my whole body is relaxing.  Whew ... !!!
 
We forget how peaceful and calming it is to be in Nature.  To sit in the Sunshine and breathe Fresh Air is healing and renewing for our Heart and our Mind.  Being able to live on this third planet from the Sun is a privilege and a gift.  Being here is a Blessing!
 
We have also forgotten what most of us learned in kindergarten.  If we want to have peace, get things done, and even have fun, we need to get along with each other.  If we want to have neighborhoods, towns, cities, states, and even countries that work for Everyone, we need to learn to listen to each other and work together.  We see people helping each other every time there is a fire, a flood, a hurricane, or any kind of disaster.  "The helpers are there!" as Mr. Rogers told us they would be.  
 
We are the helpers!  We are the ones who can make this world work.  To do that we need the Courage of our Hearts, great personal Resilience, and the deep well of our Inner Peace.  We can create a better world.  This is the reason so many of us are here.  So, let's take a few deep heartful breaths of fresh air, soak up some Sunshine, and walk some Blessings into the world this week.  We are the Ones we have been waiting for ...
 
Take really good care of yourself this week and,
 
Remember to Breathe ...
 
Mary Christopher 

Does Caring for the Earth Matter in a National Election? Creation Care Podcast

Some people would say, "Yes, it definitely does!".  Others would say, "Not really ... "
Does it "matter" at all whether we care for the Earth?
Would humans be able to live here without clean air, clean water, without photosynthesis, or vegetables, or fruit trees, or pollinators, or worms that till the soil underground ... ?
What if a large portion of the Earth is below freezing most of the time?  Or, what if there were larger and larger areas of desert?
We are completely dependent on a very narrow range of temperature, rainfall, sunlight, growing seasons, regular harvests, clean air, clean oceans and lakes for our survival.  And yet, we have very little concern for the needs of the Earth.  We dig, and plow, and drill, and use explosives to destroy significant geologic features without a second thought!
We treasure a bit of gold or silver, even precious gemstones like "blood diamonds" from Africa.  We have to have the latest electronics that use rare earth minerals.  We have been willing to sacrifice people's health, well-being, and even their lives for our luxuries.  We collect all these things, and we are not able to take one tiny item, not even one molecule of matter with us when we pass on.  And, we tend to look down on the people who honor and respect the Earth.  Amazing …
For thousands and thousands of years, we have been living in a narrow range of temperature, weather, oxygen, enough pure water, and enough fertile land to grow our food.  As I am writing this, we are in between 2 large storm fronts with high winds, rain, and possible tornadoes!  We have been watching the weather reports all day, hoping these mega-weather fronts will not organize into tornadoes.  At the same time, another potentially huge storm front is forming the Gulf of Mexico, heading for Florida!
Do you think it might be a good idea for us to be a bit more aware of this Wonderful Earth that sustains us, day after day?  The Earth doesn't need Humans.  We need the Earth!  We need a relatively stable Earth for the continued existence of humans over time.  
The Earth does well without Humans.  The Earth rotates just fine on its own.  But, we will not survive as a species unless we mature beyond our arrogance and begin to pay more attention to this part of Creation.  We know when human beings work together, we do well.  We also know we need to take better care of our precious planet.  
Being here is a wonderful opportunity to learn about Creation.  We could learn so much about "how it all works".  What do you suppose would happen if humans started working together to take care of our Planet?
Thank Goodness there are amazing people around the world doing their creative best to preserve and protect the forests, the lakes and streams, the oceans, and all the creatures living in those places.  If we could shift our priorities just a bit, we really could take much better care of the Earth!  
Maybe when we think about government and leadership, we might include taking better care of our Little Planet a priority.  When we look for candidates to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, we might also look for someone awake and aware enough to protect, defend, and preserve the Earth.  
We might be much healthier and happier.  We might sleep better at night.  We might enjoy the amazing taste of fresh fruits and vegetables we are growing in our gardens.  We might take a few minutes to absorb the incredible beauty of a Sunset or listen to the amazing songs of birds calling to each other.  We might be more grounded and content.  
Just Imagine what that would be like ...