Loto Journal
Through personal storytelling and letter writing, follow our Founder, Jennifer Axcell, as she travels the 🌎 globe as a digital nomad and Desert Mother, exploring cultural expressions of rest and self-care.
Including thoughtfully created blog content about somatic healing practices, nervous system self-regulation techniques, and faith-based spiritual practices, Loto Wellness Collective’s blog focuses on the art and science of rest and renewal, drawing inspiration from the life of Jesus, monastic wisdom, and modern science.
Reader’s Note: In the Loto Wellness Collective blog content, except for direct quotes, the pronouns often used for the One True God are They/Them in reference to the triune personhood of YHWH. When referencing Jesus specifically, the pronouns He/Him are used. In keeping with the canonical New Testament, God is also referred to as Father.
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.
To Travel is To Live - Day 5
Mexico City - On Friday afternoon, my local friend, Alac, took me to visit the Museo Nacional de Antropología and the Museo de Arte Moderno. I loved learning more about the Teotihuacan pyramids and the history of Mexico through their art.
To Travel is To Live - Day 4
CDMX Day 4 - If you’ve been following me on my adventures through the wilderness, you already know how much I love aguas termales (hot springs). Hands down, Grutas Tolantongo has been my favorite, even more than the Blue Lagoon in Iceland (which was also incredible)!
To Travel is To Live - Day 2
CDMX Day 2 - After a 3 a.m. wakeup, I ventured north to watch the sunrise over the pyramids of Teotihuacan from a hot air balloon. This ancient Mesoamerican city, Teotihuacan, is home to many of the most architecturally significant pyramids in the pre-Columbian Americas, the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon. This city predates the Aztec empire by centuries!
To Travel is To Live - Day 1
CDMX Day 1 - Over dinner, we were discussing my guide’s newly authored and translated book. We connected over our shared understanding that perception is our reality. In learning about modern neuroscience, I’ve come to understand that there is no single reality—our brains create a unique reality for each of us. Meaning, our individual experiences, perspectives, and beliefs shape how we perceive and interpret the world around us, rather than viewing things objectively.
Teresa of Ávila: The Mystic Who Made Prayer a Palace
Teresa of Ávila—Carmelite reformer, contemplative firebrand, and one of Christianity’s most beloved mystics.
Radical Community
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.
Test Me and See
This got me thinking about Joshua leading the Israelites into the promised land—conquering the walls of Jericho, not through weapons and might, but through trust and obedience. God had promised them a victory. They were to “fight” not for victory but from a place of victory. I was reminded that, as children of the One True King, we don’t have a battle to win; we have a victory to claim through faith.
Fisher of (Wo)men
‘Am I content catching fish, or do I want to change lives?’
Surrender, Generosity & Mission
While soaking in the tub looking out over the view of the valley, I heard the Spirit say to me, “See, I told you I would give you even more than you could ever ask or imagine. Enjoy this bath in My garden of creation.” I had been longing for my old garden soaking tub, as great as it was, but God was showing me that this longing for Egypt wouldn’t compare to what Jesus had in store for me.
A Voice In The Wilderness
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.
An Orphan Mindset
The Lord is doing a new thing in the world today, and we are being asked to follow Him out of old paradigms and to confront orphan mindsets.
Contributors & Collaborators
Loto Living and Loto Journal, would not be possible without the ongoing support and generous contributions from an incredible team of writers, artists, healers, editors, creatives, and pastors.