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.
Marguerite Porete: The Mystic Who Loved Beyond the Bounds
Marguerite Porete—Challenges us to trust Love with everything.
Hadewijch of Brabant: The Mystic Who Loved Without Measure
Hadewijch of Brabant—a mystic whose words still echo for the spiritually curious and creatively awakened women of Loto today.
Mechthild of Magdeburg: The Mystic Who Dared to Burn with Love
Mechthild of Magdeburg—a luminous, poetic voice of divine longing and holy boldness.
The Beguines: The Forgotten Women Who Lived a Life Set Apart
An invitation into the sacred lives of the Beguines, medieval and early Christian mystics—women who encountered the Living God through visions, ecstasies, suffering, and writing. Honoring their courage as women—often lay, often silenced—who listened to God and lived mysticism as a radical act of faith.
Finding My True Self
From a depth psychology standpoint, these perspective shifts have helped me to die to my false self, my egocentric way of living, sleepwalking through my life on auto-pilot. My experiences with these medicines have helped me spiritually awaken to my True Self and engage with the indwelling Holy Spirit in new life-giving ways.
Inner Sanctuary
From a modern mystical and psychological perspective, to be born again means to die to our flesh (our egocentric selves) and to be reborn of the Spirit of Truth (our True Self). As Paul says, our flesh becomes a sacred temple of the Spirit of Holiness, who lives inside our inner sanctuary.
Christ Consciousness: A Psychological Perspective on the Death and Resurrection of Jesus
So, let us ask ourselves not only “What do I believe about the cross?” but “What must die in me so Christ might rise?” The journey of faith is not merely about affirming a creed—it is about embodying a consciousness. Christ’s consciousness.
And that changes everything.
Poetry of Love: Rediscovering The Song of Songs
God has a heart of Love for all of us and longs for our hearts in return, and this can be found all across the Scriptures. While the Psalms are probably more familiar to you, have you ever read the Song of Songs (also known as the Song of Solomon)? There are multiple ways to interpret this book in the Old Testament, and because of its erotic and sensual language, you won’t often hear it being preached from the pulpit—So much so that new priests are sometimes banned from even reading the book.
Walking in the Way: The Desert Mothers and Fathers
The Desert Fathers and Mothers were early Christian mystics and ascetics in the 4th and 5th centuries AD, who lived in the deserts of Egypt, Palestine, Syria, and Arabia, renouncing the world to follow God's call. “Desert Mother” is a feminist theological neologism that compares these women to the Desert Fathers.
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.