Balanced Mind With Julie Potiker

Breathe in goodness, strength, love, hope - whatever it is you need right now - and then send it out into the world. Julie Potiker completes her meditation with some words about Chanukah.This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.As we come out of meditationand return to the movement of the day,we remember that this is the week of Chanukah —the week when light is kindled, night by night.Before any flame is struck,we pause with what the light represents:a people who have known loss and fear,and who continue to choose presence and endurance.We carry the memory of thosewho were killed simply for being who they were,and we hold that memory with care.When evening comes,and the candles are kindled,may they remind us that light does not rush —it is tended, protected, and renewed.May we move through this dayas quiet bearers of that light,choosing dignity over despair,and awareness over numbness.May the light we will kindle tonightbegin its work in us now.-Julie Potiker Find out more about using

Breathe in goodness, strength, love, hope - whatever it is you need right now - and then send it out into the world. Julie Potiker completes her meditation with some words about Chanukah.As we come out of meditationand return to the movement of the day,we remember that this is the week of Chanukah —the week when light is kindled, night by night.Before any flame is struck,we pause with what the light represents:a people who have known loss and fear,and who continue to choose presence and endurance.We carry the memory of thosewho were killed simply for being who they were,and we hold that memory with care.When evening comes,and the candles are kindled,may they remind us that light does not rush —it is tended, protected, and renewed.May we move through this dayas quiet bearers of that light,choosing dignity over despair,and awareness over numbness.May the light we will kindle tonightbegin its work in us now.-Julie Potiker Find out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From C

Settle in to peace and quiet through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She competes the meditation with the poem, "Why read poetry if it won't make you rich?", by Joy SullivanThis version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.Why read poetry if it won't make you rich?For starters, your soul will get bigger.Your love, more terrible and luminous. Soon, you'll say tender things at parties after too much champagne. A sidewalk quince, wet with midnight, will stop you in your tracks. In time, you'll find the perfect metaphor for your child's face. All at once, you'll see the world and want it again: clothes flapping on the line, lilacs strewn and seeding, the luck of worms. An artichoke with its heart torn hot and steaming from the throbbingcrown will suddenly turn you on.—Joy SullivanFind 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".

Settle in to peace and quiet through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She competes the meditation with the poem, "Why read poetry if it won't make you rich?", by Joy SullivanWhy read poetry if it won't make you rich?For starters, your soul will get bigger.Your love, more terrible and luminous. Soon, you'll say tender things at parties after too much champagne. A sidewalk quince, wet with midnight, will stop you in your tracks. In time, you'll find the perfect metaphor for your child's face. All at once, you'll see the world and want it again: clothes flapping on the line, lilacs strewn and seeding, the luck of worms. An artichoke with its heart torn hot and steaming from the throbbingcrown will suddenly turn you on.—Joy SullivanFind 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 Face

Bring compassion into your breath through this meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "The Most Important Thing", by Marie Marchand from her book, Mostly Sweet, Lovely, Human Things.This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.The Most Important ThingI asked the stars:What is the most important thing?The panorama of bright sentinels remainedsilent and just keep shining.So I repeated my question, this time imploringly:What is the most important thing?It was urgent. My time here is limited.I deserve clarity. I deserve truth.Summer's nightwind caressed my face.I accepted this show of earthly tenderness,of warm reassurance, but divinedno answer from the twinkling firmamentabove. The stars just kept shiningwith an irksome persistence.Maybe I didn't deserve an answer.Or maybe I wasn't approaching thiswith enough reverence. So, insteadof looking up, I bowed my headand looked within.What is the most important thing?I whispered so only I could hear. Then behin

Bring compassion into your breath through this meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "The Most Important Thing", by Marie Marchand from her book, Mostly Sweet, Lovely, Human Things.The Most Important ThingI asked the stars:What is the most important thing?The panorama of bright sentinels remainedsilent and just keep shining.So I repeated my question, this time imploringly:What is the most important thing?It was urgent. My time here is limited.I deserve clarity. I deserve truth.Summer's nightwind caressed my face.I accepted this show of earthly tenderness,of warm reassurance, but divinedno answer from the twinkling firmamentabove. The stars just kept shiningwith an irksome persistence.Maybe I didn't deserve an answer.Or maybe I wasn't approaching thiswith enough reverence. So, insteadof looking up, I bowed my headand looked within.What is the most important thing?I whispered so only I could hear. Then behindmy eyes, a blend of space and light emerged.The whole universe op

Sit back and sink into this healing meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with a reading of the poem, "Limitation", by Marie Marchand, from her book, "Mostly Sweet, Lovely, Human Things".This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.Limitation, by Marie Marchand"I closed my mouth and spoke to youin a hundred silent ways." - RUMIWords, although powerful and sometimes sacredare not the answer.This is hard for a poet to say.Words are sign posts, doorwaysto connection and the type of connectionthat reminds youof who you really are is usually found in silence.Language may accompany you to thatthreshold of inevitabilitybut then you must walk bravelypast the familiarity of forminto the negative space that awaits.Poets can bring you only so farbefore your imagination must take the wheelbefore your own soulmust drive to the shoreline alone wherethe only sounds are wavesand birds and the solaceof surrender.-Marie MarchandFind out more about using mindfulness in everyday life

Sit back and sink into this healing meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with a reading of the poem, "Limitation", by Marie Marchand, from her book, "Mostly Sweet, Lovely, Human Things".Limitation, by Marie Marchand"I closed my mouth and spoke to youin a hundred silent ways." - RUMIWords, although powerful and sometimes sacredare not the answer.This is hard for a poet to say.Words are sign posts, doorwaysto connection and the type of connectionthat reminds youof who you really are is usually found in silence.Language may accompany you to thatthreshold of inevitabilitybut then you must walk bravelypast the familiarity of forminto the negative space that awaits.Poets can bring you only so farbefore your imagination must take the wheelbefore your own soulmust drive to the shoreline alone wherethe only sounds are wavesand birds and the solaceof surrender.-Marie MarchandFind out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From Calm to Chaos", and "Life Falls

Julie Potiker leads you through this meditation centering on peace. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Staying True", by James Crews.This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.Staying TrueThough they've begun to shrink and shrivel, the echinaceas I saved from the killing frost last night still send out their honeyed scent, filling the whole room. And I think:Let me be that stubborn, that reckless with whatever time I have left, staying so true to myself, I keep trying to make this world a kinder, more beautiful place right up to my final breath.—James CrewsFind 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.Find out more about using m

Julie Potiker leads you through this meditation centering on peace. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Staying True", by James Crews.Staying TrueThough they've begun to shrink and shrivel, the echinaceas I saved from the killing frost last night still send out their honeyed scent, filling the whole room. And I think:Let me be that stubborn, that reckless with whatever time I have left, staying so true to myself, I keep trying to make this world a kinder, more beautiful place right up to my final breath.—James CrewsFind 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.Find out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From Cal

Breath in compassion for yourself, for others, and the world around you through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the mediation with the poem, "How to Stitch Together the World", by Marjorie Moorehead.This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.How To Stitch Together The Worldby Marjorie Moorehead, from her book, "Into the Thrum"When there are so many tears,what is my needle and thread?Maybe each word written downon the page is a stitch to fix a rip,or to salvage the coveringwhose material has worn thin,the cold now seeping in.Maybe words, laid down with care,perform a kind of repair, and, when shared,are joined with others' handiwork,our small mendings become strongerwith the merging.Our words not a cure, but a healing,allowing for possibility of health, wholeness,harmony. Maybe well-stitched words can bea song. Is there anything more beautifulthan the making of harmony?No matter carrying sadness, or joy,it is the carryingthat makes us strong.-Marjorie Moorehead

Breath in compassion for yourself, for others, and the world around you through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the mediation with the poem, "How to Stitch Together the World", by Marjorie Moorehead.How To Stitch Together The Worldby Marjorie Moorehead, from her book, "Into the Thrum"When there are so many tears,what is my needle and thread?Maybe each word written downon the page is a stitch to fix a rip,or to salvage the coveringwhose material has worn thin,the cold now seeping in.Maybe words, laid down with care,perform a kind of repair, and, when shared,are joined with others' handiwork,our small mendings become strongerwith the merging.Our words not a cure, but a healing,allowing for possibility of health, wholeness,harmony. Maybe well-stitched words can bea song. Is there anything more beautifulthan the making of harmony?No matter carrying sadness, or joy,it is the carryingthat makes us strong.-Marjorie MooreheadFind out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Jul

Breathe goodness in - and out - through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Into the Thrum", by Marjorie Moorhead.This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.Into the Thrum, by Marjorie MooreheadFinally, the forsythiais at full throttle froth.Yellow petals spanglingin large group celebration.Nearby, magnolia too,has decided to pop. It's timeto show up, and each tree isa handful of confetti-in-the-air.The crocuses have teased forthdaffodils to join them and tulip greens are hintingat days of color to come, when they'll bloomin pinks and purples and bring the hyacinths alongto prance in parade. Why not? The sun i strong,and after burning through morning fog, is outfor serious business all afternoon.Sunsets will be highlighted in cloud forms, dockinglike ships in the waning light, making them blushand glow, putting on quite a show, yet preludefor the exhibition of moon, and stars.Birds know. The geese have come back, squawking,joining ca

Breathe goodness in - and out - through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Into the Thrum", by Marjorie Moorhead.Into the Thrum, by Marjorie MooreheadFinally, the forsythiais at full throttle froth.Yellow petals spanglingin large group celebration.Nearby, magnolia too,has decided to pop. It's timeto show up, and each tree isa handful of confetti-in-the-air.The crocuses have teased forthdaffodils to join them and tulip greens are hintingat days of color to come, when they'll bloomin pinks and purples and bring the hyacinths alongto prance in parade. Why not? The sun i strong,and after burning through morning fog, is outfor serious business all afternoon.Sunsets will be highlighted in cloud forms, dockinglike ships in the waning light, making them blushand glow, putting on quite a show, yet preludefor the exhibition of moon, and stars.Birds know. The geese have come back, squawking,joining cardinals, robins, and crows.With each venture out, I've capturedspr

Sit in stillness, in silence, as Julie Potiker leads you through this guided meditation She completes the meditation with the poem, "Hope Waits Its Turn", by Shawn Avenigo Sanders.This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.Like the number I pulled out from the take-your-turn dispenser at the DMV, Hope sits inside my pocket. It takes a seat in the green plastic chair, understanding there are other emotions ahead of it, each with their own urgency. Anxiety likes to hover near the counter,staring at the red flickering number on the wall, while Logic pretends to be in control, recalculating time as the now serving number grows. But Hope watches asintegers glows, notices how light shifts, ever so slightly, through each changing digit, and how zero radiates out from its inner hole. The way Hope shows up when we open to each other, asking, How can I help you today?-Hope Waits Its Turn, by Shawn Avenigo Sanders from her book of poems, "Pockets".Find out more about using mindfulness in everyday

Sit in stillness, in silence, as Julie Potiker leads you through this guided meditation She completes the meditation with the poem, "Hope Waits Its Turn", by Shawn Avenigo Sanders.Like the number I pulled out from the take-your-turn dispenser at the DMV, Hope sits inside my pocket. It takes a seat in the green plastic chair, understanding there are other emotions ahead of it, each with their own urgency. Anxiety likes to hover near the counter,staring at the red flickering number on the wall, while Logic pretends to be in control, recalculating time as the now serving number grows. But Hope watches asintegers glows, notices how light shifts, ever so slightly, through each changing digit, and how zero radiates out from its inner hole. The way Hope shows up when we open to each other, asking, How can I help you today?-Hope Waits Its Turn, by Shawn Avenigo Sanders from her book of poems, "Pockets".Find out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From Calm to Chaos", and "Life

Quiet the thoughts in your mind through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with her poem, "Perseid Star Party".This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.Perseid Star Party, Julian, California, by Julie PotikerAm I in your way?No, it’s straight up in the sky, she said.But my spirit is huge, I say. No worries, the jacketed person replied,folded into her black canvas camping chair,I can see right through it.How did she know my spirit is translucent?Tower of Babel.I hear chips of Chinese, Spanish, Englishseeking the divine throughout space and time.Incredible telescopes - all different -hooked up to gizmos, red light doohickies. A community that does this - monthly or more…Us, first timers fearlessly wading intothe night sky. My down jacket zipped upto the neck, head tipped back in this camping chairto witness meteors streaking through the dark sky.Seeking Awe-Perseid Star Party, Julian, California, by Julie PotikerFind out more about using mindfulnes

Quiet the thoughts in your mind through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with her poem, "Perseid Star Party".Perseid Star Party, Julian, California, by Julie PotikerAm I in your way?No, it’s straight up in the sky, she said.But my spirit is huge, I say. No worries, the jacketed person replied,folded into her black canvas camping chair,I can see right through it.How did she know my spirit is translucent?Tower of Babel.I hear chips of Chinese, Spanish, Englishseeking the divine throughout space and time.Incredible telescopes - all different -hooked up to gizmos, red light doohickies. A community that does this - monthly or more…Us, first timers fearlessly wading intothe night sky. My down jacket zipped upto the neck, head tipped back in this camping chairto witness meteors streaking through the dark sky.Seeking Awe-Perseid Star Party, Julian, California, by Julie PotikerFind out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From Calm to Chao

Is there a friend you would like to visit...someone who is now gone? Someone you would like to have a conversation with? Julie Potiker guides you through this journey. She completes the meditation with her poem, "July Morning".This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.July morning, by Julie PotikerThere’s a California wild rose bush in bright sun at the edge of the patio in Hailey, Idahowhere I sit in the shade of the house and sip my morning coffeeA silky smooth brown and beige 14 inch garter snake is sunning itself in the moistmulch under the leafy bush. His small beady eye is watching me watch himMorning coffee so different here than Southern CaliforniaThe air is teaming with flying creatures- tiny insects catching the light, and bees asbig as ping pong balls bopping in and out of the grass and shrubs.Only the Western Fly Catcher and Black capped Chickadee are tweeting,that’s another big change -in Cali there’s dozens of species of birds that create the morning symphony.Here, only a

Is there a friend you would like to visit...someone who is now gone? Someone you would like to have a conversation with? Julie Potiker guides you through this journey. She completes the meditation with her poem, "July Morning".July morning, by Julie PotikerThere’s a California wild rose bush in bright sun at the edge of the patio in Hailey, Idahowhere I sit in the shade of the house and sip my morning coffeeA silky smooth brown and beige 14 inch garter snake is sunning itself in the moistmulch under the leafy bush. His small beady eye is watching me watch himMorning coffee so different here than Southern CaliforniaThe air is teaming with flying creatures- tiny insects catching the light, and bees asbig as ping pong balls bopping in and out of the grass and shrubs.Only the Western Fly Catcher and Black capped Chickadee are tweeting,that’s another big change -in Cali there’s dozens of species of birds that create the morning symphony.Here, only a few layer their voices to the sound of the river flowing and the