The Mary Christopher Podcast

As I am writing this article and doing my podcast, the temperature is dropping rapidly, caused by cold air coming down from the North.  At the same time, moisture from the Gulf of Mexico is moving up.  That means we are going to have Snow early this morning!  And, not just a little, but potentially a lot of Snow.  All local schools are closed for tomorrow, and maybe Wednesday as well.  We are having Weather !!!

Shelters and warming centers were opened this afternoon for people without adequate shelter.  I cut up some mandarins and put them on the back porch for the Birds as well as any Squirrels.  Then I cut all the red berries off the Nandina bushes.  Nandina berries are toxic to birds and other animals, including humans. They contain cyanide, which can cause sudden death and organ hemorrhaging.  Birds usually don’t eat many of them at one time.  But, when it is extremely cold and there isn’t any other food,  Birds will eat enough of these berries to die!  I put all the berries in a plastic bag and dropped it in the Trash !!!

If you want to help Birds and any other small Creatures, consider putting out high-energy foods like suet, peanuts, and black oil sunflower seeds. Water is also essential, even with snow, so adding a heated bird bath can help keep birds hydrated.  Just remember to keep the water clean!  If you have a birdbath, you may need to use a warmer to keep the water from freezing! 

You can provide shelter for many species by installing roosting boxes or leaving dead trees that would be suitable for birds that depend on tree cavities. Planting fruit-bearing trees and shrubs can help attract species like cedar waxwings.  Always plant native species because they will do better, and usually last longer.  If you aren’t interested in fruit-bearing trees, consider planting a few evergreens on your property!

Birds can stay warm by shivering, fluffing their feathers, or crowding together.  Squirrels and other small furry creatures do their best to eat enough nuts and seeds to have a layer of fat for insulation.  Or, their fur may be thicker.  Some small creatures nest together and go into a semi-hibernation state in really cold weather.  They will survive, but they will need food before Spring arrives !!!  And, they will need water!

We can do many things to help Birds and all small Creatures survive these weather extremes such as heat, or cold, or drought.  All it takes is a little thought and some research.  I learned about the Nandina berries from a delightful and very knowledgeable botanist who volunteers with the Oklahoma Native Plant Society !!!  There is good information everywhere and many people available to help.  

The National Wildlife Federation has an excellent website.  I have found the state Native Plant Society people to also be a great resource.  Here is the link for the National Wildlife Federation …

National Wildlife Federation

Wherever you live, may you be safe and comfortable.  And, whatever the weather, remember our Feathered Friends as well as All Creatures Great and Small.

During this past week, I’ve been thinking about what could be the most effective means for responding to all the anger, fear, and divisiveness in our World.  We know the “craziness” is not limited to the United States, but the chaos here seems to be escalating.

I decided that I would do more “short” meditations during the day, maybe 3 or 4 that were 10 to 15 minutes.  I also decided to use “heart-focused” meditations which are simple and easy to do.  With “heart-focused” meditations all I need to do is to focus my breath on my heart, breathing in and out slowly and gently.   My intention is to allow my heart to open naturally with my breath, allowing more Love to flow into my life and spread out into the world.  This is a practice that we often use in meditation class to establish grounding and flow.

I knew this particular practice would be helpful because so many “scientific studies” have been done on its effectiveness.  And, I know specific groups who are using similar practices for their meditations on the internet.  Then, later in the week, I saw a post on FB that I had posted 9 years ago!  It was a letter Albert Einstein had written to his daughter Leiserl in the mid-1900s.  

Here is that letter …

In the late 1980s, Lieserl, the daughter of the famous genius, donated 1,400 letters, written by Einstein, to the Hebrew University, with orders not to publish their contents until two decades after his death. This is one of them, for Lieserl Einstein.

…”When I proposed the theory of relativity, very few understood me, and what I will reveal now to transmit to mankind will also collide with the misunderstanding and prejudice in the world.

I ask you to guard the letters as long as necessary, years, or decades, until society is advanced enough to accept what I will explain below.

There is an extremely powerful force that, so far, science has not found a formal explanation to. It is a force that includes and governs all others, and is even behind any phenomenon operating in the universe and has not yet been identified by us.

This universal force is LOVE.

When scientists looked for a unified theory of the universe they forgot the most powerful unseen force.

Love is Light, that enlightens those who give and receive it.

Love is gravity, because it makes some people feel attracted to others.

Love is power, because it multiplies the best we have, and allows humanity not to be extinguished in their blind selfishness. Love unfolds and reveals.

For love we live and die.

Love is God and God is Love.

This force explains everything and gives meaning to life. This is the variable that we have ignored for too long, maybe because we are afraid of love because it is the only energy in the universe that man has not learned to drive at will.

To give visibility to love, I made a simple substitution in my most famous equation.

If instead of E = mc2, we accept that the energy to heal the world can be obtained through love multiplied by the speed of light squared, we arrive at the conclusion that love is the most powerful force there is, because it has no limits.

After the failure of humanity in the use and control of the other forces of the universe that have turned against us, it is urgent that we nourish ourselves with another kind of energy…

If we want our species to survive, if we are to find meaning in life, if we want to save the world and every sentient being that inhabits it, love is the one and only answer.

Perhaps we are not yet ready to make a bomb of love, a device powerful enough to entirely destroy the hate, selfishness, and greed that devastate the planet.

However, each individual carries within them a small but powerful generator of love whose energy is waiting to be released.

When we learn to give and receive this universal energy, dear Lieserl, we will have affirmed that love conquers all, is able to transcend everything and anything, because love is the quintessence of life.

I deeply regret not having been able to express what is in my heart, which has quietly beaten for you all my life. Maybe it’s too late to apologize, but as time is relative, I need to tell you that I love you and thanks to you I have reached the ultimate answer! “.

Your father Albert Einstein

To me, this seems to be an excellent explanation for the “power of Love”, as well as a reminder that we can allow more Love to move through our Hearts at any moment!  We can be a Blessing, anytime, anywhere, even if we are not in the best mood or the best frame of mind.  We can be a Blessing!  We can walk anywhere in the world with an open Heart.

In the Gospels, Jesus says, “the Kingdom of Heaven is within.”  When he was asked “what is the greatest commandment … “, his answer was very clear.  "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind".  And the second is this … “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  That simplifies everything!

However, Jesus only had 3 short years for his public teaching.  Both Jesus and Buddha were spiritual teachers.  After reaching enlightenment at the age of 35, the Buddha spent the rest of his life, until his death at 80, spreading his teachings throughout India.  Big difference there … !  Buddha was able to teach people “how to develop spiritually”.  He was able to help people learn “how to go within … “.  He was able to help many people with their struggles and their meditation practice.  All this practical knowledge about spiritual development became part of the Buddhist tradition.  What we do know is that “Love” is at the core of both Buddhist and Christian teachings.  And, we can build on that.

During this week, whenever you find yourself feeling frustrated, or upset, or worried, take a few minutes to go within.  Relax as much as you can and take a few minutes using the Heart Breath.  Let your whole system rest just a bit, and allow your Heart to relax so more Love can move into your life.

For the quiet part of our meditation, I have used “rain sounds” recorded from YouTube.  Nature sounds often help us relax and feel more coherent and at ease with ourselves.  Let me know if the “rain” is helpful.  Have a blessed week and take good care of yourself … for sure.

Several weeks ago I went to a local Native Plant Society “Seed Swap”.  I had a wonderful time.  I left with a blue paper bag full of carefully labeled pollinator plant seeds, a 2025 Soil Conservation Calendar as well as color-coded pages that showed the best time to plant each pollinator.  I also collected several excellent handouts about planting for Monarch Butterflies.  And, I won a brand new garden trowel !!!  

Several weeks before that I found 3 “free” books in my neighborhood library.  These were All about Alternative Pollinators, The Complete Book of North American Butterflies, and The Beginners Guide to Bats !!!  I scooped up those books and took them home.  All very exciting for learning more about how to care for Creation!  I started reading All about Alternative Pollinators because we know the Honey Bee population has been diminishing for many years.  We also know we need Prodigious Pollinators to have sufficient food production.

Honey Bees are certainly prodigious and they are struggling to survive!  The increased use of insecticides and herbicides is one of the main reasons for the decline of Honey Bee populations.  No matter how diligent and watchful Beekeepers are, their bees can be easily exposed to toxins.  This is because Honey Bees often fly 1 to 3 miles per day to reach flowers with the most pollen and nectar.  In their travels, they may cross fields that have been recently sprayed with toxins!  Or the spray from neighboring fields or even crops 2 to 3 miles away may reach the hives.

A large, healthy Honey Bee colony can have as many as 50,000 adult bees!  The Queen Bee can potentially lay as many as 1,000 eggs per day!  And, all these baby bee larvae need protein-rich royal jelly for the first 5 days in for them to thrive!  Royal jelly is a creamy, yellowish-white substance produced by honey bees.

Nurse bees feed royal jelly to larvae for the first three days after hatching.  Royal jelly is also fed to the developing queen bee throughout her life. This diet can allow the queen bee to live up to five years, while worker bees typically live for about 45 days.  The hive is kept busy gathering nectar and pollen to feed the queen and the growing larva!  If the worker bees are exposed to any toxins, the entire colony can be wiped out in a matter of hours!  Beekeepers, anyone who uses bees for pollination, and those of us who love honey are seriously committed to caring for the European Honey Bee. 

There are alternative pollinators.  They do not live in hives and they do not produce honey!  But they do pollinate!  And, they are not well-known.  These pollinators include Bumble Bees, Mason Bees, the Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee, Sweat Bees, and the Shaggyfuzzy Foot Bee!  These bees are usually solitary and may live underground.  They are difficult to detect, but they can be encouraged to live in your garden or your yard by studying their habits and by growing their favorite plants.

This is a great time of year to put in a Pollinator Garden that will flourish and produce blossoms in the Spring.  There are great resources for gardening.  Look up your state’s Native Plant Society.  Do a search for city community gardens, your state Department of Natural Resources, or check with the Nature Conservancy or Sierra Club.  They are often a great resource for referrals.  Once you start looking, you will probably find all kinds of great resources!

We are looking forward to seeing your Personal Pollinator Garden this Spring !!!

Welcome to another Sunday evening meditation as we continue through a very dramatic period in our lives.  As I was working on this podcast, I remembered the 70s.  I thought about the drama and intensity of protest marches, the homeless people in the big cities, and, of course, the Veterans from VietNam.

Did you know that the Netherlands is the 2nd largest exporter of produce in the World !!!  China is number one in the world for produce, including grains.  India is near the top of the list as well.  The United States is usually at third.  The Netherlands does not have the land mass to grow as much grain, but they grow potatoes, onions, lots of vegetables, and some grains.  

Their main exports are vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and aubergines.  They are also the largest exporters of tulips and tulip bulbs!  Most of their vegetables are grown in hothouses, many using geothermal energy.  Growers in the Netherlands have upgraded and modernized all their production to become the 2nd largest exporter of produce in the World !!!

Following World War II and the devastation in Europe caused by that war, farmers in the United States were growing the grains that fed the world for several years.  Farmers that I knew when growing up, were quietly proud of the wheat and oats, and other grain crops they grew to feed the world.  The years immediately following WWII were bummer crop years on the Prairie.  In addition, many people had gardens that produced tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and watermelons at the very least.  Everyone, including Family Farmers, was eating well!

Now, much of our produce, including fruit, is shipped for miles to get to the stores.  Every year there are fewer and fewer Family Farms or orchards owned by a family.  We are relying more and more on Corporate Agriculture!  We know that most corporate businesses are run to generate as much profit as possible.  We also know these corporations usually have higher expenses than a family farm.  The corporations are paying for large and expensive planting and harvesting equipment as well as shipping or trucking costs.  Often the food costs more than it might if it were grown “locally”.

Because our food production has become more centralized, there can be major shortages of fruits and vegetables due to extreme weather or the massive fires that burned in California.  So, what can we do …

The Answer is Simple !!!  We can grow some of our own fruits and vegetables!  So many people in the U.S. have yards that are currently known as “lawns”.  There is often good soil under that lawn and adequate Sunlight most of the year.  More and more people are using some part of their yards for raised beds or even greenhouses.  Many communities have developed excellent community gardens where families can rent 2 or 3 or more raised beds for vegetables if they don’t have room where they are living!

In many areas of the country, people can sign up for a specific quantity of fruit from local orchards before harvest.  Everyone comes out ahead.  The orchards are supported and families know where their fruit is coming from and how it is raised.  Another advantage is that people get to know each other!  Community Gardens build Stronger Communities.  And, children learn first-hand where their food is coming from.  They also can learn how to grow food!  Parents have learned that children will eat what they grow, even Brussel Sprouts !!!

We can feed ourselves, at least with basic vegetables.  Often, when people discover the Joy of Gardening, they add strawberries, blackberries, even apple and peach trees to their gardens!  People who garden and raise at least some of their own food, usually feel more secure.  Research has shown that “gardeners are usually healthier, happier, and much less stressed” than people who do not garden !!!  Amazing !!!  And, nothing tastes better than a ripe tomato, sprinkled with salt, right from your own garden !!!

This is the perfect time of year to plan and develop your garden.  There are many resources in every community for gardening.  Most state agricultural departments and ag colleges have plenty of information, as well as knowledgeable people who are ready to help.

We can be more independent, resilient, and healthier, all from having our very own gardens !!!  We will have stronger and healthier communities as well !!!

Mary Christopher teaches mindfulness, 

breathing practices, and building personal resilience.  

Gardening and Being in Nature are among her favorite activities. 

What if we considered our thoughts as carefully as Gardeners choose for their seeds?  All of the Gardeners I know, are so thoughtful and choosy about the seeds they sow.  They research seeds, using the internet as well as seed catalogues.  Most Gardeners share information about seeds and plants with each other.  And, they do this every year with patience and diligence!

Seeds need to be chosen for a number of qualities, including soil type, weather patterns, requirements for Sunshine, length of germination, need for moisture and the list goes on.  In other words, Gardeners are very picky and very thorough about the seeds they choose to sow in their gardens!

What if all of us, that would be all Human Beings, began choosing our “thoughts” with the same care and thoughtfulness?  What would happen?  How would we feel?  We know that seeds produce plants that produce vegetables, or fruit, or herbs, or flowers that attract Pollinators.  Do we pay attention to the “fruit” or the product of our thoughts?  What if we did?  

If we paid just a little more attention to the thoughts that we dropped into the “soil of our subconscious mind”, would we find the “fruits and vegetables more palatable?  Most of us know something about how our subconscious works.  To some degree we may be aware of the way our neurons respond to all our thoughts and feelings.  But, are we aware that our thoughts actually have tangible results … ???

Most of us understand that negative or angry thoughts can shift our mood, putting us into “survival mode” and generating chemicals that set us up for “fight or flight or in some cases, a freeze response”.  None of these survival responses are unhealthy in response to an actual threat.  But, given what great imaginations we have, human beings have the capacity to misread situations or misinterpret other people’s words or actions.  As a result, we often begin to generate some prime negative thoughts and feelings in a neutral situation.

Just like planting seeds in a garden, even our random thoughts and feelings may “take root” over time and produce an “unhealthy fruit or vegetable”.  We all have this experience, but we don’t usually connect our more negative thoughts or feelings with the result.

Numerous studies using all kinds of sophisticated technology, have shown that any “negative thought or feeling” can immediately generate “the chemistry of survival”!  The more we repeat those thoughts or feelings, the more deeply they are embedded in our consciousness where they begin to generate more “negative fruits”.

Once we think about thoughts and feelings being similar to seeds, it makes sense.  The good news is that we can do something about this pattern of unconscious thought.  In many spiritual traditions, this practice of carefully choosing our thoughts and feelings is known as “mindfulness”.  Even beginners with this process often feel the benefits sooner than they expect.  The benefits may include better sleep, improved digestion, fewer arguments with family or coworkers, and much less internal tension.

Suggestion:  as a personal scientific experiment, try paying a little more attention to your thoughts and feelings.  Begin by paying attention to those that are more “life-affirming” or choose thoughts less critical of yourself or others.  Then, over a few weeks, check to see how well you are sleeping, or how your digestion is doing.  Everyone’s response to their personal “survival response” is different.  Yours will be unique to you, of course.

Remember, we are not trapped in our thoughts and feelings.  We do have choice about where we put our attention.  So, for a few weeks, try being aware of your thoughts and feelings.  Be very picky about the ones you choose to nurture.  You may be pleasantly surprised with the fruits of your carefully tended garden.

It is cold here in Oklahoma today and supposed to be colder most of the week!  Brrrrr … !!!  Grateful that I am not responsible for keeping cattle and horses fed this week!  Definitely a blessing ... !!!

We are aware of the turmoil, upset, and misinformation in the world.  It is apparent that some of the turmoil and upset is directly due to misinformation.  We are also aware that “misinformation” can be very difficult to refute.

We know that we are living through an era of very rapid cultural change.  We have been through historical periods of change before, but not at this “rate of change” or with such intensity.  Because of social media and technology, we are struggling with split-second images, sound bites, and information that is practically impossible to “fact-check”.

Why am I stating the obvious, once again.  Because we need an antidote to all this chaos.  That antidote is within us, closer than hands and feet.  That antidote is our own spiritual practice!  By spiritual practice I am referring to our ability to “go within”, to calm ourselves, and reside in the “quiet” that lives within us.  It is not hidden.  There are no magical words or phrases we can use to get there.  But, research has shown that using a heart breath or breathing through our heart center is a reliable method for getting centered and feeling coherent.  One reason that using a “heart breath” works, is because it is almost impossible to think ourselves into “inner peace”.

When we are surrounded by chaos, we do have the ability to find our personal path through the world using our inner guidance.  That guidance is always available, always.  We just need to take the time, get quiet enough, and listen.  When we are centered and coherent, we have the capacity to build a better life for ourselves and be a Blessing in the world.

There are many great and well-known examples of people who have done exactly that, based on their Inner Guidance.  And, there are hundreds and thousands of people, past and present, we may never heard of, who have made or are making a difference in the world.  If you are reading this, or listening to my podcasts, you are most likely one of those people!

Every global spiritual teacher that we have studied or know about has taught spiritual practices.  Every indigenous culture that I am aware of has some kind of spiritual practice.  Living in a culture with so many people glued to some kind of screen does not encourage spiritual practice!

However, we all know from our personal experience that spiritual practice works.  We also know that real change happens from within.  Most of us have seen that real social change happens from the ground up.  We all have numerous examples of this.  

We also know that where we put our attention is where our energy goes.  So, I am suggesting that after we are centered in that “quiet place”,  we focus on a few of the places where we have lived.  Many of us have lived or been “stationed’ in numerous places.  Let’s bless those cities or towns, lighting up the neighborhoods where we lived.  Let’s just “light up” the whole country, one neighborhood, one city at a time.

Just as Sunlight is a reliable “antidepressant”, Light breaks up old patterns, also heals, and illuminates spiritual pathways.  We know these practices work.  We have experienced this and seen it work, more than once!

Have a Wonderful Week, and when in doubt, just keep rowing.  I will meet you in the Peace of our Inner Sanctuary.  Many, many Blessings, always, mc