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.
Deep Calls Unto Deep
Did you know that cenotes are natural freshwater sinkholes and underground cave systems formed when limestone collapses? They serve as both sacred sites and freshwater sources for the Maya. I was lucky enough to swim in the Cenotes Choo-Ha and Tankach-Ha.
Strong Plans, Loosely Held
Biblical Feasts: Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)—Renewal
Yom Kippur is not merely about wiping away wrongs; it is about restoring union. The people are reconciled with God, with one another, and with themselves. Alienation is dissolved. Oneness is remembered.
Happy Fall Ya'll
**Trigger Warning 🐍 Snakes**
The snake teaches that transformation is not only about release but also about refinement. To shed an old skin is to grow more into who you already are. To embrace this shedding is to return to your True Self.
The Fall Equinox 🍁 A Sacred Turning
The Fall Equinox is an invitation for us to gather what has been fruitful in our own lives and to release what has run its course. It is a season of both gratitude and surrender.
Biblical Feasts: Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets) - Awakening
On Rosh Hashanah, the trumpet's cry is not for battle, but for the soul. It interrupts forgetfulness. It calls us back to awareness: God is King, life is fragile, and every breath is holy. "Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance." (Psalm 89:15)
Tikkun Olam and Caring for Creation
The way we treat the earth is deeply connected to the way we treat our own bodies and each other. When we restore the land, we participate in God’s healing work.
AWAKEN Retreat 2025: When Heaven Touched Earth
As the fire burned low on our final morning, it was clear: what had been awakened could not be put back to sleep.
Car Camping in Crested Butte
I love living in the woods, whether that's sleeping in a cabin or a tent. In preparation for my car camping road trip through New Mexico and Utah in October, I ventured up to Crested Butte, Colorado, with my cousin and her husband (and their dog Rocksy) over the weekend to test out some of our new camping gear.
Blessed with a Sinkhole
I asked the Lord for a tree stump, and I was blessed with a sinkhole.
My Cup Runneth Over
Forest Church: Stillness is a Mirror for the Soul
"If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you, you are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows Where you are. You must let it find you." —David Wagoner
Julian of Norwich: The Mystic Who Saw Love at the Center of It All
Julian of Norwich—a voice of profound hope, sacred vision, and tender intimacy with God.
Hildegard of Bingen: The Mystic Who Sang the Cosmos Awake
Hildegard of Bingen—the fierce visionary and endlessly creative.
Dreams Do Come True
This impromptu ceremony transcended language barriers (thanks to my translator) and culminated in a collective “surrender” water altar and blessing done in the natural pools—all of it in honor of the Sacred Feminine embodied by Mary Magdalene and experienced through water. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to share and receive a timely reminder that dreams really do come true, sometimes in the most unexpected ways.
Mary Magdalene: Apostle to The Apostles
Janzu: A Rebirth
At its core, Janzu is a somatic journey: the facilitator cradles the receiver in body-temp water, guiding slow, rhythmic movements that coax the brain into deep Theta relaxation—a gateway to releasing stress, trauma, and emotional blockages while reawakening cellular memory and primal consciousness. This practice—often dubbed "rebirth therapy"—invites participants to revisit birth-like thresholds, fostering reconnection with the body and the Self.
Clare of Assisi: The Mystic of Radical Simplicity and Fierce Love
Clare of Assisi—the quiet strength and holy devotion of a woman who renounced the world to fall completely into the arms of God.
Margery Kempe: The Mystic Who Refused to Stay Silent
Margery Kempe’s story echoes through the centuries, especially for modern women who feel the pull to more. More intimacy with God. More honesty in their spiritual walk. More embodiment of their faith—unapologetically emotional, deeply sensory, and uncontainably alive.
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.