Balanced Mind With Julie Potiker

The glow of a golden light of compassion surrounds you in this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "How It Might Continue", by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer.How It Might ContinueWherever we go, the chance for joy,whole orchards of amazement -one more reason to always travelwith our pockets full of exclamation marks,so we might scatter them for otherslike apple seeds.Some will dry out, some will blow away,but some will take rootand grow exuberant grovesfilled with long thin fruitsthat resemble one hand clapping -so much enthusiasm as they flutter back and forththat although nothing's heardand though nothing's really changed,people everywhere for years to comewill swear that the worldis ripe with applause, will filltheir own pickets with new seeds to scatter.-"How It Might Continue", by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, from "How to Love the World, Poems of Gratitude and Hope", edited by James Crews.Find out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books

Using your breath to calm yourself is the focus of this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Self-Care", by James Crews.Self-Care, by James CrewsSome days it feels like a foreign languageI'm asked to practice, with new worldsfor happiness, work, and love. I'm still learninghow to say: a cup of tea for no reason,what to call the extra honey I drizzle in,how to label the relentless urge to do moreand more as useless. And how to translatethe heart's pounding message when it comes:enough, enough. This morning, I search for wordsto capture the glimmering sun as it liftsabove the mountains, clouds already closing inas fat droplets of rain darken the deck.I'm learning to call the stillness self-care too,Just standing here, as goldfinches scatter upfrom around the feeder like broken piecesof bright yellow stained-glass, reassemblingin the sheltering arms of a maple.-Self-Care, by James Crews.Find out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "

Take a few moments as you sit in meditation to express appreciation for your body. Your hands, feet, and knees, all keep you going all day. Julie Potiker completes the meditation with the poem, "Improvement", by Danusha Lameris.Improvement, by Danusha LamerisThe optometrist says my eyesare getting better each year.Soon he’ll have to lower my prescription.What’s next? The light step I had at six?All the gray hairs back to brown?Skin taut as a drum?My improved eyes and Iwalked around town and celebrated.We took in the lettersof the marquee, the individual leavesfilling out the branches of the sycamore,an early moon.So much goes downhill: our jointswearing out with every mile,the delicate folds of the eardrumexhausted from years of listening.I’m grateful for small victories.The way the heart still beats timein the cathedral of the ribs.And the mind, watching its parade of thoughtsenter and leave, begins to see themfor what they are: jugglers, fire swallowers, acrobatstossing their batons in the air.-Improvement,

In this meditation you will focus on a golden healing light filling your body with joy and awareness. Julie Potiker completes this guided meditation with her poem, "Morning Light" .Morning Time, by Julie Potiker I am busy From the outside I might not appear as such Yet I dedicate this time to me.This precious timeWhen the house hums it’s mechanical hum, that sounds sometimes like a musical track is embedded in the low staticBirdsong fills my ears The Wrens soprano 1 and soprano 2 are joined by the Spotted Towhee, whose croaking tune my ear recognizes instantly now, like turning a doorknob in my mind.The Song Sparrow is aptly named, and I’m instantly cheered that it too, is here.There can be more and more, all included, none denied I’m thinking as a Mourning Dove layers it’s low cooing into the loop. They have all the time in the world.This cherished timeWhich is anything but quietIs noisy in all the best ways.My mug feels warm in my cupped handsI feel my heart beating it’s low slow rhythm in my chestMy back

In this guided meditation you will breathe in goodness for yourself and breathe out goodness to the world. Julie Potker completes the meditation with the poem, "Down to Earth", by James Crews.Down to Earth, by James Crews.The heart of a farmeris made of muscleand clay that achesfor return to earth.And when the skyreleases a steady rain,massaging each rowof sprouted beans,my husband leans outof the car windowand opens his handto hold that waterfor a single instant,his heart now beatingin sync with rainseeping through layersto kiss the rootsof every plant aliveon this living, breathingplanet on whose backwe were grantedpermission to livefor a limited time-"Down to Earth", by James Crews. from his book, "How to Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope".Find out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From Calm to Chaos", and "Life Falls Apart, But You Don't have To: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos". Both are available on Amazon.com.Follow Julie on You

Breathe in peace and kindness for yourself and others through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "The Principle of Enoughness," by Toko-Pa.The Principle of Enoughness by Toko-PaIn a time that would have us believe there is always more to strive for, more to accumulate, more enlightenment to reach - the most radical stance we can take is enoughness.What if we quit trying to be spiritual and aspired to be human instead?What if there is nothing to fix because we are already whole?What if there was no time to prove ourselves, because we're consumed with marveling at life?What if there is no reason to hold back our gifts, because they are meant to be given?What if every morsel, every glance, every moment and every breath is a miracle of enough?-The Principle of Enoughness, by Toko Pa.Find out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From Calm to Chaos", and "Life Falls Apart, But You Don't have To: Mindful Methods for Staying

Sit back and relax, breathe in compassion and love for yourself and others. Julie Potiker completes this guided meditation with the poem, "Love's Exquisite Freedom," by Maya Angelou.Love's Exquisite FreedomMaya AngelouWe, unaccustomed to courageexiles from delightlive coiled in shells of lonelinessuntil love leaves its high holy templeand comes into our sightto liberate us into life.Love arrivesand in its train come ecstasiesold memories of pleasureancient histories of pain.Yet if we are bold,love strikes away the chains of fearfrom our souls.We are weaned from our timidityIn the flush of love's lightwe dare be braveAnd suddenly we seethat love costs all we areand will ever be.Yet it is only lovewhich sets us free.-Love's Exquisite FreedomMaya AngelouFind out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From Calm to Chaos", and "Life Falls Apart, But You Don't have To: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos". Both are available on Amazon.com.Follow Julie on YouTu

Breathe in loving kindness for yourself, those you love, and for people all around the planet - through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with her poem, " What's It Like Being You?".What’s It Like Being You? By Julie PotikerWhat’s it like being You?Cradling the smooth stones, chunks of jasper, garnet and opalStacks of pale grey branches, hiding places for otters, snakes and troutWhat’s it’s like being you?Sometimes a mere trickleSometimes a rushing torrentAt the mercy of the snow pack aboveEach year uniqueA place of refugePeace to my heartWhat’s it like to be you?Glittering in the sunshineBlanketed in ice and snowAlways movingNever StoppingWhat’s it like to be you, river, what’s it like to be you?For the elk who water there,What’s it like to be you?To be beheld with such wonder by meTo be searching for food constantlyTo be so majesticTo be hunted for sportTo be hunted for food What’s it like to be you?To grow a huge rack of antlers every year, Just to have them drop to

Bask in the golden healing light of this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Passover 2023", by Joan Tiger Bass. Happy Passover to all who celebrate and may everyone find freedomPassover 2023Barbara Joan Tiger Bassbuds begin to opensoft apple blossom scent waftsover years of cyclic repetitionplague riddled stories askquestions of bondageand narrow escapeacross seemingly endless sandthrough parted seas the orderedpromise of hopean open door welcomeseach and every seekerlibations of liberation.-"Passover 2023", by Barbara Joan Tiger Bass.Find out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From Calm to Chaos", and "Life Falls Apart, But You Don't have To: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos". Both are available on Amazon.com.Follow Julie on YouTube and Facebook at Mindful Methods for Life.comThis podcast is available on iTunes, iHeart, Blubrry and everywhere you listen to podcasts.

This meditation takes you on a journey of healing and renewal of body and spirit. Julie Potiker uses 'Mi Sheberach', a prayer for healing, in this guided meditation. She completes the meditation with the poem, "The Power of One", by Victor Fuhrman.The Power of One, by Victor FuhrmanThe energy flows from the love of the sun and charges a soul,The power of one.That energy shared with a spirit that’s new, a heart opens up,The power of two.Ebbing and flowing between women and men, hearts on the wavelength,The power of ten.And when all of the millions with compassion run, the birth of the new mind,The power of one.-The Power of One, by Victor FuhrmanFind out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From Calm to Chaos", and "Life Falls Apart, But You Don't have To: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos". Both are available on Amazon.com.Follow Julie on YouTube and Facebook at Mindful Methods for Life.comThis podcast is available on iTunes, iHeart, Blubrry and ever

Join Julie Potiker as she guides you through this healing meditation. She completes the meditation with her poem, "Clear a Path, Version 2".Clear a Path, Version 2, by Julie PotikerSettleAllow your thoughts to drift downGently sweep them aside with a soft broom, hand made from natural grassesLittle piles of noteson the perimeter of awarenessthings to return to laterkeep them safeOther notesbest releasedworries that woke you at 4amToss that sticky stack into the small round fire bowl the smoke swirling as that which does not serve you - evaporatesSettle your mind to clear a path to your heart - where joy and suffering slosh Your heart – which when broken miraculously goes on beatingYour heart - captain of your mind/body/spiritAllow the hands in your mindto close the hatches of your heart when too much suffering threatens to drop youto the inky bottom of the seaOpen the porthole a peepFeel into whether it’s ok right now tolet waves of tears move through youToo much?Crank it downSteer your mind to translucent wa

Tap into your heart and feel compassion through guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "The Peace of Wild Things", by Wendell Berry.The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell BerryWhen despair for the world grows in meand I wake in the night at the least soundin fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,I go and lie down where the wood drakerests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.I come into the peace of wild thingswho do not tax their lives with forethoughtof grief. I come into the presence of still water.And I feel above me the day-blind starswaiting with their light. For a timeI rest in the grace of the world, and am free.Wendell Berry, from The Peace of Wild Things And Other Poems (Penguin, 2018)Copyright (c) 2012 by Wendell Berry, reproduced by permission of CounterpointFind out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From Calm to Chaos", and "Life Falls Apart, But You Don't have To: Mindful Methods fo

What or who are you grateful for? Join Julie Potiker in this guided meditation focusing on gratitude, for you, your loved ones and those around the world. She completes the meditation with her poem, "Shades of Gratitude".Shades of Gratitude, by Julie PotikerGratitude may feel bouncyLike a big rubber ballGratitude may feel floatyLike the leaves in the fallGratitude may feel sweetLike a babies little feetGratitude may feel neatLike a perfectly wrapped treatGratitude may feel sadLike the end of the storyGratitude may feel lowLike you can’t feel the gloryGratitude may be a yearningFor a time that’s now lostGratitude may leave you burningFor the bridge you did not crossGratitude can shine a lightOn the choice you did makeFor those days that are lemonsAs you make lemonadeSo good for youAs you walk this roadSteering your attitudeTowards gratitudeTo lighten your loadFind out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From Calm to Chaos", and "Life Falls Apart, But You Don't have To: M

The cold winter snap has many of us staying inside trying to stay warm. Join Julie Potiker as she leads you in this guided meditation to help get you through these blustery days.White-Eyes by Mary OliverIn winter all the singing is in the tops of the trees where the wind-bird with its white eyes shoves and pushes among the branches. Like any of us he wants to go to sleep, but he's restless— he has an idea, and slowly it unfolds from under his beating wings as long as he stays awake. But his big, round music, after all, is too breathy to last. So, it's over. In the pine-crown he makes his nest, he's done all he can. I don't know the name of this bird, I only imagine his glittering beak tucked in a white wing while the clouds— which he has summoned from the north— which he has taught to be mild, and silent— thicken, and begin to fall into the world below like stars, or the feathers of some unimaginable bird that loves us, that is asleep now, and silent— that has turned itself into snow.White-Eyes, by Mary Olive

What is it you need right now? In this guided meditation Julie Potiker takes you on a journey to a Wishing Well. She completes the meditation with her poem, "Aspen Trees, Version 3".Aspen Trees Version 3 by Julie PotikerThe pale grey trunks welcome metheir black eyes and thick painterly designs beckon thousands of delicate arms sway in the wind.A blink in time later, the branches are bedeckedin shimmering green vestmentsmillions of sequins dancing in the sun.Above the soft roar of the river,birds flaunting spangled dressesin flashes of lemon, ruby and emeraldcommunicate in precious bird language.I wish I could discern what type of bird belongs to each trillbut even if I could(and I might)their stories will remain hidden.A majestic secretThat fills my heart with wonderand what feels likehope.-Aspen Trees, by Julie PotikerFind out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From Calm to Chaos", and "Life Falls Apart, But You Don't have To: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm in the

Focus on yourself and the world around you - especially those in Turkey and Syria in the aftermath of devastating earthquakes in the region. Julie Potiker leads this compassion meditation where you'll breathe in light and breathe out light to others.Find out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From Calm to Chaos", and "Life Falls Apart, But You Don't have To: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos". Both are available on Amazon.com.Follow Julie on YouTube and Facebook at Mindful Methods for Life.comThis podcast is available on iTunes, iHeart, Blubrry and everywhere you listen to podcasts.

Julie Potiker guides you through this loving kindness meditation with familiar phrases of comfort. May you be safe, may you be happy and may you live your life with ease. She completes the meditation with her poem, "Par Avon".Par Avion, by Julie PotikerI remember feather light lettersMessages I don’t want to forgetPale blue onionskin paperRed and blue dashesTriangle wings folded inAnd sealed with spitHer elegant cursive handwritingwith my name in tight loops on the frontA complete synopsis of the tv show Dynasty insidein her small and splendid scriptMy housemates in Earls Court Squareamassedfor the weekly letter from my mom,all us lucky juniors from American collegesexperiencing London, Englandon our parents’ dime.Those weekly letters were memorable,and made me feel special, too.I’m not surethat Iever saidan appropriateThank You.I wish I had saved one of those letters,I’d like to feel it’s airiness it in my hand,trace the writing with my finger, andsmell the old paper, by now assmooth as sand.Where - everyou

This visualization is connected to the Green Comet making its closest approach to earth in 50,000 years. Julie Potiker completes the meditation with her poem, "Cats of the Solar System, 2/1/20223".Cats of the Solar System, 2/1/2023 by Julie PotikerIt makes me feel dreamy.Considering that 50 thousand years agoHumans gazing at the heavensGlimpsed the Green Comet aglow.The same comet visiting usTonight and tomorrow nightFebruary 1st and 2nd.Yes, that’s right!I hope it is bright.I never knewThat those in the knowCall comets, Space Cats!How divine.A feline traveling through spaceAnd time.Their long tressesHeated by the sun.Transformed to gasses.Star dust seen by everyone.But only if you are looking.I like to imagineChildren throughout timeFaces raised to the starsBrimming with aweAt the magic of the comet.It’s cat tail informing their path here on earthLike Halley and Kepler.So tonight and tomorrow nightAs we lift our gazeWe can visualizeIn our minds eyeWe… UsAll the Inhabitants of planet earthWelcoming the Cat fr

Ground yourself to the earth and breathe in love for yourself and those around you. Julie Potiker completes this guided meditation with her poem, "Hardware Store Love".Hardware Store Love by Julie Potiker I love the smell of hardware stores.Dixieline, Ace, and Home DepotThey remind me of the J & B Discount Store in Elyria, Ohio.My dad opened this magnificent place when I was just a girl.He drove a great distance every day to keep us in better schools.When I read about huge pileups on the Ohio Turnpike in the snowI think of all he sacrificed so we could learn and grow.Grow in a place that had people like us, where antisemitism would be less major.Because Hanukkah candles would be lit in the homes of many of our neighbors.On special occasions I would travel to his big, wonderful store where employees were like family.My father, they adored.I’d wander the isles of plumbing, tools, shampoos, clothes, and toys and think about how lucky I was to have all this and more.Whenever I feel a longing to connect with m

Settle in, quiet your mind, and listen as Julie Potiker leads you through this guided meditation. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Volcano of Tender Power", by Susan Frybort.Volcano of Tender PowerPrimordial sputtering,graveyard of stuttering sounds,hot lava flowing.I know this place.Holy stillin this placeI acknowledge this innermost ground,this volcano of my being,for its primal call.Sputtering, squeaking, groaning.Akin to a birthing.I have not fully understood thisvolcanic core.I have seen it as too muchthrough the lens of the overculture.I have seen it as woundedthrough the lens of therapy.I have seen it as weaknessthrough the lens of my critic.Now this lava of tendernesscannot be contained.It bubbles forth as a voice,it flows through as clarity,it erupts as empowerment.This volcano of tendernessin its full powermirrors the divine feminine,Sacred Mother Earth,my great mother,no longer unseenand misunderstood.-Volcano of Tender Power, by Susan Frybort, from from, "Weaving Myself Awake; Voicing