Loto Journal
An evolving exploration of consciousness, spirituality, relationship, and what it means to flourish together.
Through personal storytelling and curious inquiry, we explore consciousness and the Self, contemplative spirituality and mysticism, psychology and somatic healing, creativity and relationship, and our connection with nature and the living world. Along the way, our Founder, Jennifer, shares letters from her travels as a digital nomad, exploring the people, places, traditions, and sacred landscapes that continue to shape her journey.
Reader’s Note: In an attempt to bring a conscious sense of responsibility to our language (where inclusivity and equality matter), in our Loto Wellness Collective blog content, except for direct quotes, the pronouns often used for God are They/Them in reference to Great Spirit, the I AM, the Universe. Also, we have taken the liberty of capitalizing the term “True Self” or “Self” so you will know that we are not referring to the “false self” (psychological egoic self), but the foundational Self that we are in God, Imago Dei.
Meditation & Contemplative Prayer: Learning to Be Present
At Loto, we approach contemplative practice as an invitation into presence rather than an attempt to achieve a particular spiritual state. Meditation does not require eliminating our thoughts, escaping the body, or becoming perfectly calm.
Instead, we practice noticing.
We notice the breath.
The body.
Our thoughts and emotions.
The world around us.
The Sacred moving within and through it all.
Contemplative practice can create space between stimulus and response, deepen our capacity for awareness, and help us become more present to our lived experience. For those who understand meditation as spiritual practice, it can also become a way of listening—of becoming increasingly receptive to Wisdom, Love, God, Life, or however we name the Mystery beyond ourselves.
The invitation is not to escape the present moment—It is to become more fully available to it.
Contributors & Collaborators
Loto Living and Loto Journal, would not be possible without the ongoing support and generous contributions from an incredible team of contributors, collaborators, and our Desert Mothers.