Blog | Michelle Cromer

Just Say “OM” to Stress

Michelle Cromer September 5, 2024 Leave a Comment

Stress levels everywhere are soaring.

Stress has been part of human life since our earliest days on the planet. Although we no longer experience the stress of living in cold, dark caves and fighting off saber tooth cats, we do experience emotional turmoil in our relationships, challenges balancing our daily lives, and a multitude of physical health concerns. When we encounter situations that we interpret as stressful, our body has the same reactions our ancestors had tens of thousands of years ago. Our blood pressure rises, we begin to perspire, our breath becomes shallow, and our blood platelets become sticky. Our body activates its fight-or-flight response, and it takes at least twenty-four hours for the body to recover its equilibrium. Many people live in a state of chronic stress and imbalance, which contributes to emotional and physical disease.

Through the practice of meditation, we can activate a different response, one of restful awareness, intuitiveness, and creativity. Meditation takes our body and our mind from a place of hyperactivity, fear, unrest, and uneasiness to a state of inner calm, peace, and silence.

In meditation, as we cultivate the ability to witness the activity of the mind, we spontaneously make more conscious choices. We’re able to access the response that best supports our own health and well-being. Stress then becomes something that we can observe and release.

Through meditation, we can reverse the effects of accumulated stress and toxicity. Meditation, in fact, has several different effects on the body; both on the physical body and on the psychological well-being of the mind.

First, some of the physical benefits of meditation include:

Oxygen consumption lessens
Respiratory rates decrease
A marked increase in blood flow occurs, which in turn slows the heart rate
Meditation increases the level of exercise tolerance in heart patients
High blood pressure is lowered to normal levels
A decrease in muscle tension and headaches
Increases in the production of serotonin levels (which influences mood and behavior). Note that low levels of serotonin have been associated with depression, obesity, insomnia, and headaches.
Meditation has also been shown to help in chronic diseases, such as allergies and arthritis.
In women, meditation can reduce pre-menstrual syndrome.

Perhaps most important among meditation facts is that this practice can enhance the immune system.

Recent research demonstrates that meditation can increase the activity of “natural-killer” cells. This is important because these natural killer cells help to kill bacteria and cancer cells.
Amazingly enough, there are even more documented health benefits. Individuals who practice meditation also have a decreased metabolic rate, and because of this, the heart works less strenuously to pump blood throughout the body.

Along with this drop in cholesterol levels, there’s also a reduction of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that cause tissue damage within the body. Decreasing the levels of free radicals, are important because they are thought to play an integral role in the aging process. It’s thought that if we could slow or eliminate the proliferation of free radicals, we may be able to slow the aging process!

Meditation can also have positive effects on the psychological well-being of its practitioners, who report:

Greater levels of creativity
A decrease in anxiety
Decreased depression
A decrease in feelings of irritability and moodiness
Improved learning abilities and increase in memory retention
Increase feelings of vitality and rejuvenation

Most people report feeling a general sense of happiness and emotional stability:

Find a place where you can be quiet either outdoors, in your home, in your office, or perhaps while on a plane.
Think of a word or set of words for your mantra. Some possibilities include peace, love, joy, bills, shalom, or amen.
Close your eyes and take three very deep breaths originating in your lower abdomen. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Notice the temperature of the air you inhale.
Expand your chest and belly. Exhale. Breathe in, and say your mantra silently. Breathe out and silently say your mantra. Allow each inhalation to be deeper, every exhalation deliberate. When you have a thought, acknowledge it and release it. Don’t fight your thoughts. Then go back to your breath.

Try meditation, and hopefully, this will prevent you from running and screaming down a Southwest airplane aisle or running naked up Mesa.

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The Big G with Breasts Glastonbury

Michelle Cromer September 2, 2024 Leave a Comment

Glastonbury has a long tradition of being The Isle of Avalon where King Author went after his last battle. The monks of Glastonbury Abby claimed to have found his grave in 1191. Jesus is said to have come to Glastonbury as a boy.

But I wanted to go to Glastonbury because of its link with the Divine Feminine due to its rich tapestry of myth, legend, and spiritual significance.

Several factors contribute to this.

Goddess worship: Goddess worship has a rich history dating back to ancient times. This area is believed to have been a center for the worship of various goddesses, reflecting the sacred feminine energy.
Avalon Legends: Glastonbury is often identified with the mythical isle of Avalon from Arthurian legend. Avalon is depicted as a place of powerful priestesses who embody the Divine Feminine.
Sacred Geography: The landscape of Glastonbury, including the Tor, Chalice Well, and the Glastonbury Abbey ruins is imbued with symbolism tied to the feminine. The Tor is seen as a representation of the womb of the Earth Mother.
Chalice Well: The Chalice Well is a natural spring in Glastonbury that has long been associated with the healing of the sacred feminine. The well’s waters are linked to the blood of the Earth Mother and to the Grail legends, which themselves have a strong feminine association.

But my favorite thing in Glastonbury was when I met a leprechaun at the Abbey. He was a small man with a white beard, exuding magic and joy. His mischievous nature was balanced by his wisdom, and his eyes twinkled with a knowing sparkle. He handed me a gift, a branch from a plant. When I expressed disbelief, he replied with a grin and said, “The impossible requires a dash of insanity.” He softly whispered that it was an enchanted branch, and I could travel magically. He said, “Simply hold it, close your eyes, and picture your desired destination. The branch will transport you there instantly, crossing vast distances in the blink of an eye.” However, the leprechaun warned, “Such travel requires an open mind and a willingness to embrace the fantastical.” Indeed.

Walking Meditation For Anxiety

Michelle Cromer August 26, 2024 Leave a Comment

Walking meditation offers a beautiful synergy of movement, nature, and mindfulness to create a holistic experience for both the body and the mind.

The act of walking itself is a gentle form of exercise and a meaningful way to move your chi by stretching muscles, increasing circulation, and invigorating the body. Outdoors in nature, you soak up all the sounds of natural goodness around you, fresh air, and sunshine, it’s like a nature retreat.

Walking meditation also offers an opportunity to deepen your connection with your body.

The benefits are many – enhances physical health; improves focus; deepens your connection to your environment and certainly lowers anxiety.

Here is my guide to walking meditation:

Choose your path – a quiet path, park, beach, or corridor in your home.
Connect with your breath – take three deep breaths through your nose and release through your mouth.
Pay attention to your senses and sensations – what are you seeing, smelling, touching, hearing, and tasting?
Keep a mindful posture – Keep your back straight, your shoulders relaxed, and your gaze softly focused on the path ahead.
Find your rhythm – synchronize your breathing with your steps. When I was walking El Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain, I walked around 18 to 20 miles per day, day after day after day and each day became a form of walking meditation. I had my walking sticks and used the rhythm of my breathing and the clicking of my sticks to keep my focus on the present moment.

With each step, you become more attuned to the sensations and movements of your physical being. You become aware of how your feet touch the ground and how the breeze feels on your skin. This heightened awareness fosters a sense of presence and mindfulness.

What’s truly wonderful about walking meditation is its accessibility. You can seamlessly integrate it into your everyday life, whether you are commuting to work, enjoying a leisurely stroll in the park, or simply unwinding after a workout. It’s a practice that meets you where you are, inviting you to infuse mindfulness into the ordinary moments of your day.

Stonehenge with the Druids on the Summer Solstice

Michelle Cromer August 19, 2024 Leave a Comment

While traveling in Portugal last year to study the Knights Templers, my friends Laurel and Tim, and I met a fellow pilgrim, James Tod, an Englishman who produced the musical Six.

One afternoon, before I entered an ancient stone circle, as I customarily do, I was asking the guardians of the site if they would grant me permission to enter. As I thanked the ancient ones, I looked up to see that James was watching me and, he asked what I was doing. After I explained my sacred site ritual, James explained that he was one of the head Druids in England and invited my friends and me into Stonehenge with the Druids on the next Summer Solstice!

The Druids were philosophers, scholars, judges, mystics, and educators. They revered natural elements such as trees, particular oaks, rivers, and stones. They played a significant role in the spiritual life of their communities from around the 4th century BCE until the Roman conquest of these regions. Modern Druidism saw a revival of interest in the 18th and 19th centuries, and with that came the resurgence of honoring the summer solstice at Stonehenge. The Druids consider Stonehenge to be a significant cultural and spiritual symbol and for centuries they have gathered there annually to honor the solstices.

Stonehenge, located in Wiltshire, England is one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in the world. Archaeological evidence indicates it was constructed between 3000 and 2000 BCE. The exact purpose remains a subject of debate, but some scholars believe it could have an astronomical observatory because of the alignments of the stones with the equinoxes and solstices. It might have served as a site for religious ceremonies possibly related to death and burial. It might have been a healing center. We know in the medieval period it was mentioned by several historical figures who linked it to the legendary wizard Merlin.

Before we met James in England, he provided us with a list of things we would be required to wear – everything would have to be white. White has always been important to Druids because it is deeply rooted in its symbolism of purity, spirituality, and connection to the natural and divine worlds. White is associated with light and illumination and the mythology of white animals.

Before we met James in England, he provided us with a list of things we would be required to wear – everything would have to be white.

From a Druid perspective, entering Stonehenge on the summer solstice is a deeply spiritual and ceremonial experience. They conducted three ceremonies to celebrate the longest day and we were invited to participate in the three traditional ceremonies.

Midnight Ceremony -Midnight Vigil
Druids gather at sacred sites, such as Stonehenge or other ancient stone circles, to keep vigil through the night. – They light a sacred fire, which symbolizes the sun’s journey and the life-giving energy it provides. Participants engage in chanting, drumming, and storytelling, often sharing myths and legends related to the solstice. This ceremony honors the transition from darkness to light and sets the tone for the following day’s celebrations.

Our midnight ceremony was on a dark rainy English night, and I had four layers of clothing on and even though it was June 21 I was freezing. After we walked about two miles in a silent single file we arrived in at a mount in the middle of a field. The Druids gathered in a circle and we, their guests filed in behind them creating an outer circle. After the ceremony, we returned the way that we came.

Sunrise Ceremony – Greeting the Dawn
Our second ceremony began around 3 am. As the sun rose, it aligned perfectly with the Heel Stone, which casts rays through the ancient stones. All the Druids gathered in white robes, symbolizing purity and connection to nature. A horn was sounded to herald the dawn, symbolizing the triumph of light over the darkness. We were then divided into four groups to honor the four elements and we all faced the direction of the rising sun. The air was filled with the sounds of drums, chanting, and the scent of burning herbs, creating a sacred atmosphere. The ceremony began with an invocation to the sun, thanking it for its life-giving energy and asking for blessings. When the invocation was over, we formed a circle, holding hands, and engaged in rituals such as lighting the central fire, offering libations, or conducting a meditation to honor the Earth and the ancestors. Standing there I knew that the Druids saw this moment as a time to connect with the cycles of nature, to reflect on personal growth, and to seek guidance for the coming year. This moment was a time of renewal and rebirth, reflecting the new beginnings associated with the solstice. The experience to me was one of unity, reverence, and a profound sense of connection to the ancient traditions and the natural world.

Noon Ceremony
At noon, when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, Druids and their guests gather once more for a final ceremony. This ceremony included offerings of flowers, herbs, and other natural items, symbolizing abundance and fertility. We engaged in meditative practices, focusing on personal growth and the harnessing of the sun’s energy for inner strength. The culmination of the day’s rituals involved a communal meal, celebrating the harvest and the community’s bonds.

All three of these ceremonies collectively honor the sun’s journey and the cycle of nature, emphasizing themes of light, growth, and renewal.

Today over a million people go annually!

The Druids remain a fascinating and mysterious part of history, symbolizing a deep connection to nature and a rich spiritual tradition.

The Mystery of the Loretto Chapel Staircase

Michelle Cromer August 5, 2024 Leave a Comment

There is a staircase in the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, NM, which is famous for its “Miraculous staircase, a spiral staircase with a fascinating history and unique construction.

There is a staircase in in the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, NM, which is famous for its “Miraculous staircase, a spiral staircase with a fascinating history and unique construction.

When the Loretto Chapel was completed in 1878, there was no way to access the choir loft, twenty- two feet above. The sisters of the Loretto Chapel wanted a staircase and spoke to many carpenters and none of them said the staircase was possible due to the small space.

Legend has it that to find a solution the sisters made a novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. On the ninth and final day of prayer, a man appeared at the chapel with a donkey and a toolbox looking for work.

The stranger locked himself inside the chapel and worked. Months later, the elegant circular staircase was completed, and the carpenter disappeared without regard to pay. The sisters ran an ad in the local paper trying to find him, and there was no trace. They concluded that St Joseph himself built that staircase.

Also, there are some unusual attributes of the staircase are: There are no nails or glue, the carpenter only used wooden pegs to secure the steps together, and for hundreds of years this staircase, which goes against the rules of physics. And the wood used for the stairs was sent off for analysis and the results showed it to be spruce, but an unspecified subspecies. What was determined is there is no wood like that in New Mexico or any of the surrounding states. The closest place one can find this is in Alaska, 3728 miles away, and back then there wasn’t a way for wood to be transported such a long distance.

Whatever the case, this staircase has become a treasure to the world and to me, and it continues to inspire awe and curiosity, blending elements of faith, mystery, and architectural magic.

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