Balanced Mind With Julie Potiker

Hold yourself in love as you sink into this Loving Kindness meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Natural Silence", by James Crews."Natural Silence", by James Crews.It’s not easy to find the silencebehind traffic noise and the rush of a jetdragging its contrails through the sky.But here it is again in the in-between,when I learn to listen long enoughto the call-and-response of birdsong,to wind pulsing in the canopies of trees,and every wing-flutter of the phoebewho’s built her cup of a nest out of mossand mud beneath the eaves of our house.I know the stillness will last for justa few beats before the roar of a Harleytakes over, and a tractor rumbles throughthe rocky field outside my window.So I sink into it while I can, as I do into waterso clean and clear, for a moment at leastI swear I can see to the bottom of everything.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 T

Breathe compassion in and compassion out -- as you settle into this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "The Fawn", by Nikita Gill. (From the book, "Where Hope Comes From; Poems of Resilience, Healing, and Light)."The Fawn", by Nikita Gill(After Mary Oliver's "Wild Geese")You do not have to win at a crisis.You do not have to push yourselfto learn a new language or write a bookor take up an instrument.Nothing will come of forcing yourselfto compete your way out of trauma.Take this time to look at the stars.Take this time to look at how the skystill holds clouds that are the shape of hope.How the dawn begins at the tips of dewy grass,for this is where the horizon begins.Somewhere the dappled fawn raisesher soft neck to watch the sun riseover her meadow.Somewhere else monarch butterflies begintheir long migration, knowing many of themwill not make it home.Remember that you do not need to earnyour right to the precious minutes you haveon this planet. They are alread

Find a quiet space to sit, relax, and breathe as Julie Potiker transports you through her guided visualization meditation. She completes the meditation with her poem, "Immersed & Transported"."Immersed & Transported", by Julie PotikerSoon, I arrive -a sea of humanity spilling into ornate building.Sunbeams escape my smileas volunteer scans my ticket, the playbill - a treasure map   clutched to my chest.Find my row by letter of alphabet,lay my coat open as burrow, sink into faded velvet chair.House lights down, stage lights up, magic.All senses heightened – flapping for attention.Flesh and blood, bones, and muscleinhabit worlds – words,meticulously crafted.Step into another skin,pour into another soul,to birth this gift.This baby is love.I cradle it, snuggled into my soft nest.If I’m being truthful,sometimes I teleport my soul into one character,or beam into multiple characters.My feet rest on their feet,my heart beats in rhythm with their hearts.Their voice becomes mine.Escape thoughts of war,free from

Tap into compassion, for yourself and others, through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Just for Now", by Danna Faulds."Just for Now", by Danna FauldsJust for Now,Without asking how, let yourself sink into stillness.Just for now, lay down the weightYou so patiently bear upon your shoulders.Feel the earth receive you,And the infinite expanse of the sky grow even wider,as your awareness reaches up to meet it.Just for now,Allow a wave of breath to enliven your experience.Breathe out whatever blocks you from the truth.Just for now,Be boundless, free,with awakened energy tingling in your hands and feet.Drink in the possibilityOf being who and what you really are —So fully alive that the world looks different,Newly born and vibrant, just for now.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

Breathe in gratitude and compassion during this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with her poem, "Birthday Presence".Birthday Presence, by Julie Potiker The air feels like springtucked into my sit spotthin cotton pajamasNo jacket wanted or neededOn this late February dayThree days left in my 62nd revolution around the sun.My eyes alight on the shrub -Bee’s Bliss Sage.Magenta and bright yellow blooms haphazardly strewn among grey green branches.Unscrew the valve to my ears,Allow noise to rush in.California Quail sounds troubledSong Sparrow, Mourning Dove and Bewick’s Wren respond - all is well.Hummingbirds helicopter trees and shrubsSucking nectarclick and buzz as bees.Unwrap this gift of noticingBreath it in, deepAllow it to fill jagged cracksHold it closeGently, dear, gentlyHoly…holy…holyThis Sabbath prayer.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 f

Bring in kindness to yourself and others through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Holding the Light", by Stuart Kestenbaum.Holding the Light, by Stuart Kestenbaum-for Kait RhoadsGather up whatever isglittering in the gutter,whatever has tumbledin the waves or fallenin flames out of the sky,for it's not only ourhearts that are broken,but the heartof the world as well.Stitch it back together.Make a place where the day speaks to the nightand the earth speaks to the sky.Whether we created Godor God created usit all comes down to this:In our imperfect worldwe are meant to repairand stitch togetherwhat beauty there is, stitch itwith compassion and wire.See how everythingwe have made gathersthe light inside itselfand overflows? A blessing.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 availab

Join Julie Potiker as she guides you in this compassionate breath meditation. She completes the meditation with her poem, "Holding Court".Holding Court, by Julie PotikerScattered about, Western Sycamore leaves forever remind me of book pages - undone, unglued, unloved, discarded.Feeling this dip in mood, I make my way to the caged veggie garden below in search of something yummy.Bright green cauliflower lifts my spirits. I wrestle it out of the rich soil with the help of Cutco kitchen scissors. I really must get some garden shears. Been a year that I’ve been saying that in my head, and sometimes out my mouth.It’s 5pm now, so the buzz saws, trucks, and workmen’s chatter are silenced.Two heads cauliflower filling my hands, I’m stopped in my tracks by the sounds and sights of happy hour in full swing in the Scrub Pine.Standing stock still, I search for movement along the branches. Birds the size of pine cones, and dark smooth pine cones that look like birds tucked in tight among the spikey needles in the fading

Julie Potiker guides you through this breathing meditation focusing on compassion. She completes the meditation with the poem,"Guru in Disguise", by Julia Fehrenbacher."Guru in Disguise", by Julia FehrenbacherThere is something about the waymorning light resets an old, mossy oakthat quiets the loud in me, invitesme to set everything down.As I step closer, I seethat she has wrinkled and grayed with age,as weathered seasons, storms-indifference.Still, she stands.She is a resting place for gentle,winged ones, a playground for frolicking graysquirrel. A sharer of secrets to anyone who takes time tolisten. She is shelter for those who are worn.Someday, she will be gonewill have turned into something else.For now, though, she is heresharing secrets, catching sunshine, inviting usto turn toward the lightand listen.-"Guru in Disguise", by Julia Fehrenbacher, from "Staying in Love".Find out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books, "SNAP: From Calm to Chaos", and "Life Falls Apart, But You D

Feel your body rooted to the earth as you meditate to this compassion meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes this guided meditation with the poem, "The Forest", by Nikita Gill.The Forest, by Nikita GillOne day when you wake up, you will find that you have become a forest.You have grown roots and found strength in them that no one thought you had.You have become stronger and more beautiful,full of life giving qualities.You have learned to take all the negativity around youand turn it into oxygen for easy breathing.A host of wild creatures live inside youand you call them stories.A variety of beautiful birds rest inside your mindand you call them memories.You have become an incredibleself sustaining thing of epic proportions.And you should be so proud of yourself,of how far you have come from the seeds of who you used to be.-"The Forest", by Nikita Gill.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:

Ease your body into this early morning loving kindness meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes this guided meditation with her poem, "Soft Morning".Soft Morning, by Julie PotikerThe birds sound mutedA beetleNo bigger than a black nickelMakes its way on faded ceramic tilesto cream and red brick paversHe is headed somewhere fastSwift for his kindNo wingsJust short legsImpossibly thin pencil marksscurrying him alongThe longer I am stillmy ears collect bird songsI tuck each jingle into my heart with a smileand note of thanksIt seems Morning Dove and Spotted Towheecan always be counted onAlso, Bewick’s WrenThat should be enough, I thinkThen joy arises as Lesser Goldfinch, not less to me,and Northern Mockingbird gift their tunes to the scoreSurveying the scene from high in the skyRed-tailed HawkReleases his plaintive cryAs I witness ever earth boundTucked in my chairUnder the eavesSnug as a bugSoftly breathing.-"Soft Morning", by Julie PotikerFind out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Jul

Sit back as you relax into this compassion meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Church", by James Crews.Church, by James CrewsWhen I ask how you are,imagine a field of untouched snowstretching blank between us,waiting for the answer of your steps –perhaps hesitant at first, thenmore certain as you begin to sharethe sorrows and joys that sitlike unwrapped offeringson the altar of your heart.Here, there is time for you to sayall the words that have weighedyou down, hidden in the bodyfor years like unasked prayers.No matter how far apart we stand,I promise to listen for as longas you need, in this open-air churchwe enter together wheneverwe agree to speak of deeper things.-"Church", by James Crews.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

In this end-of-the-year guided meditation led by Julie Potker you will use your breath to breathe in healing, awareness, and gratitude. She completes the mediation with the poem, "For the End of the Year", by Donna Ashworth.'For the End of the Year", by Donna Ashworth.Why do we start a new year, with promises to improve?Who began this tradition of never-ending pressure?I say, the end of a year, should be filled with congratulation,for all we survived.And I say a new year should start with promisesto be kinder to ourselves, to understand better just how much we bear,as humans on this exhausting treadmill of life.And if we are to promise more, let’s pledgeto rest, before our bodies force us.Let’s pledge to stop, and drink in life as it happens.Let’s pledge to strip away a layer of perfectionto reveal the flawed and wondrous humanitywe truly are inside.Why start another year, gifted to us on this earth,with demands on our already over-strained humanity.When we could be learning to accept,that we were always supp

Focus on what makes you happy, and who makes you happy - as Julie Potiker leads you through this guided meditation of peace and love. She begins the meditation with the reading of the poem, "Hold Out Your Hand", by Julia Fehrenbacher. She completes the meditation with her poem, "So Much Love," by Julie Potiker .Hold Out Your Hand, by Julia FehrehbacherLet's forget the world for a whilefall back and backinto the hush and holyof noware you listening? This breathinvites youto write the first wordof your new storyyour new story begins with this:You matter.You are needed--emptyand nakedwilling to say yesand yes and yes.Do you seethe sun shines, day after daywhether you have faithor not, sparrows continueto sing their songeven when you forget to singyours.Stop asking: Am i good enough?Ask only: Am I showing up with love?Life is not a straight lineit's a downpour of gifts, please--hold out your hand.So Much Love, by Julie PotikerI sit tucked under the eavescozy in my flannel pajamas, soft from so many washingsThe la

Embrace love and peace through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with her poem, "December 1, 2023, Coffee Poem"."December 1 , 2023, Coffee Poem", by Julie Potiker.My flannel pajama bottoms got wet when I folded myself into my morning sit spotThat’s okIt didn’t prompt me to moveJust to feel the dampness on the back of my thighs.I wonder whether my morning coffee meditation rituals are getting repetitiveAfter all, it’s the same locationSame coffeeSame meSame sameBut yet, what I really want to say is it’s always newAlways differentNow the Allen’s HummingbirdNow the California Scrub JayThe Western BluebirdConstruction equipment humming and beeping a yard awayMy big dogs barking their heads offThe faded terracotta tiles and bricks have dark patches where water still seeps into claycurled carob leavesSome yellowish greenSome brownarranged haphazardly hither and yonA perfect design wrought from a powerful rain.~"December 1 , 2023, Coffee Poem", by Julie Potiker.Find out more a

In this guided meditation, led by Julie Potiker, you will imagine breathing in a healing golden light -creating peace within your body. She completes this guided meditation with the poem, "Still Breathing".Still Breathing, by AnonymousI will stand with you,though I am shaken to my core.I will pray with you,though I question who might hear. I will cry with you,though the pain I feel cannot compare with your suffering.I will sing with you,because my hope will not be shattered.I will take your hand,because my heart is infinite.I will hold my breath with you for another day,though anguish, fear, love, and resolve,because we are still here, blessed with breathing. -Still Breathing, by Anonymous.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

"Only love is big enough to hold all the pain in this world", (Sharon Salzberg). Julie Potiker leads you in this guided meditation of peace and love. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Only Love," by James Crews.Only Love, by James Crews.And so I image the entire earthas one beating heart held in the spaceof this universe, inside a larger bodywe can't fathom, filling with enoughlove to lead each of us out of the caveof our personal pain and into the light-enough love to lead all humans as oneout of collective fear, rage, and hateinto a place of peace that is found onlywithin our own hearts, beating in syncwith the pulse of this planet we wereborn to inhabit, despite the daily stormswhich overtake us and make us forgetwe are the lifeblood pumped into theseveins, every particle of love we generaterunning into rivers, lakes, and creeks,evaporating into the air we breathe,give back, and breathe again.-Only Love, by James CrewsFind out more about using mindfulness in everyday life through Julie's books,

Julie Potiker guides you through this meditation for peace for Israel. She completes the meditation with "Kiddish Poem, by Marge Piercy." Kiddish Poem," by Marge PiercyLook around us, search above us, below, behind.We stand in a great web of being joined together.Let us praise, let us love the life we are lentpassing through us in the body of Israeland our own bodies, let’s say amen.Time flows through us like water.The past and the dead speak through us.We breathe our children’s children, blessing.Blessed is the earth from which we grow,blessed the life we are lent,blessed the ones who teach us,blessed the ones we teach,blessed is the word that cannot say the glorythat shines through us and remains to shineflowing past distant suns on the way to forever.Let’s say amen.Blessed is the light, blessed is the darknessbut blessed above all else is peacewhich bears the fruits of knowledgeon strong branches, let’s say amen.Peace that bears joy into the world,peace that enables love, peace over Israeleverywhere, bless

Join together for this meditation of faith, hope and peace for Israel. Julie Potiker completes the meditation with a prayer by Rabbi David Wolpi, "El Maleh Rahamim - Compassionate God".El Maleh Raḥamim — Compassionate GodWe pray not to wipe out hatersbut to banish hatred.Not to destroy sinnersbut to lessen sin.Our prayers are not for a perfect worldbut a better onewhere parents are not bereavedby the savagery of sudden attacksor children orphaned by bladesglinting in a noonday sun.Help us dear God,to have the courage to remain strong,to stand fast.Spread Your light on the dark heartsof the slayersAnd Your comfort to the bereaved heartsof families of the slain.Let calm return Your city Jerusalem,and to Israel, Your blessed land.We grieve with those wounded in body and spirit,pray for the fortitude of our sisters and brothers,and ask You to awaken the world to our struggleand help us bring peace.-El Maleh Raḥamim — Compassionate God, by Rabbi David WolpiFind out more about using mindfulness in everyday life thr

Use this guided meditation to breath in love for yourself and others. Julie Potiker completes the meditation with the poem, "Monarch", by James Crews.Monarch by James Crews The butterfly does not break free triumphant.Once it claws through the chrysalis,it stands there shivering, new wings achingas they slowly fill with blood. It must keepits tiny eyes shut tight at first againstthe brightness and shimmer of a worldit has never seen before––not like this.It must listen until a deeper voice whispers:The flowers are waiting. Leave the skinof the old life far behind. Open your eyesand give in to the blue air that will carry youeverywhere you need to go.-Monarch by James Crews 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 iTu

In this guided meditation, led by Julie Potiker, you'll concentrate on using your breath's healing power - with the backdrop of the 2023 Perseid meteor shower.Perseid Star Party, Julian, California 2023, by Julie PotikerAm I in your way?I can’t see her face in the inky darknessNo, it’s straight up in the skyA zillion pin pricks of lightMy spirit is huge, I say with a smile in my voiceNo worries, the jacketed jellybean person replied, folded into her black canvas camping chair -I can see right through itHow did she know my spirit is translucent?Tower of BabelI hear chips of Chinese, Spanish, EnglishHumans seeking the divine throughout space and timeIncredible telescopes - all different black chunks hooked up to gizmosRed light doohickeys retrofitted for their cool kid villageCode understood by manyA community that does this - monthly or more…Us, first timers fearlessly wading into the night skyI think they’ll be asleep when the show gets frantic - if it doesI’ll be awakeMy down jacket zipped up to my neckHead