Balanced Mind with Julie Potiker
Individual guided meditations to help ease you through the stresses of everyday life and improve your health. Set to calming music these guided visualizations, mantra meditations, mindfulness meditations, and meditations that focus on breathing will help you find balance in a stressful world. Producer/Editor: Patty Lane Patty Lane
Mostly Quiet Guided Meditation
Breathe in peace and tranquility through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "All the Ways to Name a Dragonfly", by Ellen Rowland.All the Ways to Name a DragonflyWhat if your first thought upon wakingwas not of all you have to do, or how sadand frightening the world is, but this:I am alive. In a body. On a day I have never met.Hello, you beauty.What if, instead of reaching for a dark screen,you stood on the back porch of this weeping,sought the bay window of the sky...
One for Me, One for You - Can You Imagine?
Breathe in what you need right now, and then breathe out what you want to send to others through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Can You Imagine", by Mary Oliver.
Can You Imagine?Mary OliverFor example, what the trees donot only in lightning stormsor the watery dark of a summer's nightor under the white nets of winterbut now, and now, and now - wheneverwe're not looking. Surely you can't imaginethey don't dance, from the root up, wishingto travel a little, not cramped so much as wantinga better view, or...One for Me, One for You - Can You Imagine? (Sleep Version)
Breathe in what you need right now, and then breathe out what you want to send to others through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Can You Imagine", by Mary Oliver.
Can You Imagine?Mary OliverFor example, what the trees donot only in lightning stormsor the watery dark of a summer's nightor under the white nets of winterbut now, and now, and now - wheneverwe're not looking. Surely you can't imaginethey don't dance, from the root up, wishingto travel a little, not cramped so much as wantinga better view, or...Compassion In and Out Meditation - Sleep Version
Enjoy this open awareness meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "I Pray to the Birds", by Terry Tempest Williams.
This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.
I Pray to the Birds, by Terry Tempest WilliamsI pray to the birds.I pray to the birds because I believe they will carry the messages of my heart upward.I pray to them because I believe in their existence, the way their songs begin and end each day—the invocations and benedictions of Earth.I pr...Compassion In and Out Meditation
Enjoy this open awareness meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "I Pray to the Birds", by Terry Tempest Williams.
I Pray to the Birds, by Terry Tempest Williams
I pray to the birds.I pray to the birds because I believe they will carry the messages of my heart upward.I pray to them because I believe in their existence, the way their songs begin and end each day—the invocations and benedictions of Earth.I pray to the birds because they remind me of what I love rather than wh...One for Me, One for You, Guided Meditation - Sleep Version
Join Julie Potiker as she leads this gentle meditation practice focusing on what you need right now. Is it love, energy, calm, peace? She completes the meditation with two poems, "Spring", by Ellen Rowland, and "Bring Me The Sun", by Julie Potiker.
This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.
Spring, by Ellen Rowland -after James PearsonHow can I love this springwhen winter still holds hate quivering in its jaws,holds hope frozen in fear,hunts the human heartlike a soft trembling rabbit?I only want to be a bee among...One for Me, One for You, Guided Meditation
Join Julie Potiker as she leads this gentle meditation practice focusing on what you need right now. Is it love, energy, calm, peace? She completes the meditation with two poems, "Spring", by Ellen Rowland, and "Bring Me The Sun", by Julie Potiker.
Spring, by Ellen Rowland -after James PearsonHow can I love this springwhen winter still holds hate quivering in its jaws,holds hope frozen in fear,hunts the human heartlike a soft trembling rabbit?I only want to be a bee among beestumbled from sleep by the warmscent of lilacs on an unsuspectingbreeze, belonging itself into thisbeautiful, troub...Just What Is Needed - Guided Meditation - Sleep Version
Julie Potiker leads this guided meditation focusing on what is needed in your life right now. She completes the meditation with the poem, " Hawk and Crow Surf the Wind", by Moudi Sbeity.
This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.Hawk and Crow Surf the Wind, by Moudi SbeityWhether it was for play or rivalry, I could not tell. Crow cawed. Hawk was silent. They glided in massive signatures,nearing then drifting, in the clear cold wind. At times hawk flew higher, then crow climbed above.They titled and wedged their open wings through the bare branches. ...Just What Is Needed - Guided Meditation
Julie Potiker leads this guided meditation focusing on what is needed in your life right now. She completes the meditation with the poem, " Hawk and Crow Surf the Wind", by Moudi Sbeity.
Hawk and Crow Surf the Wind, by Moudi SbeityWhether it was for play or rivalry, I could not tell. Crow cawed. Hawk was silent. They glided in massive signatures,nearing then drifting, in the clear cold wind. At times hawk flew higher, then crow climbed above.They titled and wedged their open wings through the bare branches. They circled the neighborhood,then the next one over, then came back and perched on opposite trees.All the while I watched...Calm Lake Meditation - Sleep Version
Visualize a calm lake, a reflective, peaceful body of water, to help you relax into this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with an untitled poem from Mark Nepo's book of poems (in progress), "Tales of the Ferryman".
From Mark Nepo's, Tales of the Ferryman.A German proverb saysthat windows are the eyesof the house.And an old Jewish beliefsays that the heart is thewindow between the souland the world.And when the mind is asclear as a still patch of lake,it is the window to the deep.And the mouth, so sorry...Calm Lake Meditation
Visualize a calm lake, a reflective, peaceful body of water, to help you relax into this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with an untitled poem from Mark Nepo's book of poems (in progress), "Tales of the Ferryman".
This is from Mark Nepo's book of poems in progress, Tales of the Ferryman.A German proverb saysthat windows are the eyesof the house.And an old Jewish beliefsays that the heart is thewindow between the souland the world.And when the mind is asclear as a still patch of lake,it is the window to...Breathing In For Yourself - Out For Others - Sleep Version
Using your breath, breathe in what you need for yourself - and then breathe out what you want to send to others. Julie Potiker completes her meditation with the poem, "Drifting Ochre", by Sam Aureli.
This meditation ends with music to allow you to drift off into sleep.Drifting Ochre, by Sam AureliA single leaf of yellow ochrefloats along the water's gentle current.It spins and twirls, as if rememberingall it had known - the warmth of spring,the quiet labor of becoming,a life steeped in sun and rain.The stream nudges it forward,over...Breathing In For Yourself - Out For Others
Using your breath, breathe in what you need for yourself - and then breathe out what you want to send to others. Julie Potiker completes her meditation with the poem, "Drifting Ochre", by Sam Aureli.Drifting Ochre, by Sam AureliA single leaf of yellow ochrefloats along the water's gentle current.It spins and twirls, as if rememberingall it had known - the warmth of spring,the quiet labor of becoming,a life steeped in sun and rain.The stream nudges it forward,over rocks and eddies, past rootsand shadows, urging it onalong a path unasked, untraced.The leaf didn't need...
Sitting In Stillness
Find yourself in stillness as you listen to this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Invitation", by Mary Oliver.
Invitation, by Mary OliverOh do you have timeto lingerfor just a little whileout of your busyand very important dayfor the goldfinchesthat have gatheredin a field of thistlesfor a musical battle,to see who can singthe highest note,or the lowest,or the most expressive of mirth,or the most tender?Their strong, blunt beaksdrink the airas they strivemelodiouslynot for your sakeand not for mineand not for the sake of winningbut for sheer...Sitting In Stillness -Sleep Version
Find yourself in stillness as you listen to this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Invitation", by Mary Oliver.This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.Invitation, by Mary OliverOh do you have timeto lingerfor just a little whileout of your busyand very important dayfor the goldfinchesthat have gatheredin a field of thistlesfor a musical battle,to see who can singthe highest note,or the lowest,or the most expressive of mirth,or the most tender?Their strong, blunt beaksdrink the airas they strivemelodiouslynot for your sakeand not...
Breathing Goodness In, Goodness Out - Sleep Version
This meditation focuses on using your breath to breathe in loving kindness for yourself and out for others. Julie Potiker completes the meditation with the poem, "Reciprocity - When redpolls arrive in Minnesota," by Holly Lamond.
This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.Reciprocity- when redpolls arrive in Minnesota, by Holly Lamond - Poetry Tracks in the SnowA gallup of redpollsappeared this morningat our feeders, the firstto arrive this winter.Thankful for seed, theydescended in drovesas if they knew that here,there would be enough.I did not begrudge theirhunger.I...Breathing Goodness In, Goodness Out
This meditation focuses on using your breath to breathe in loving kindness for yourself and out for others. Julie Potiker completes the meditation with the poem, "Reciprocity - When redpolls arrive in Minnesota," by Holly Lamond.
Reciprocity- when redpolls arrive in Minnesota, by Holly Lamond - Poetry Tracks in the SnowA gallup of redpollsappeared this morningat our feeders, the firstto arrive this winter.Thankful for seed, theydescended in drovesas if they knew that here,there would be enough.I did not begrudge theirhunger.I needed this reminderas I read the news today,that goodness beginswith giving,that survival...Loving Kindness - Small Kindness - Sleep Version
Julie Potiker leads you through this guided meditation focusing on loving kindness. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Small Kindness", by Denusha Lameris.This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep
Small Kindness, by Denusha LamerisI’ve been thinking about the way, when you walkdown a crowded aisle, people pull in their legsto let you by. Or how strangers still say “bless you”when someone sneezes, a leftoverfrom the Bubonic plague. “Don’t die,” we are saying.And sometimes, when you spill lemonsfrom your grocery bag, someone else will help yo...Loving Kindness - Small Kindness
Julie Potiker leads you through this guided meditation focusing on loving kindness. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Small Kindness", by Denusha Lameris.
Small Kindness, by Denusha LamerisI’ve been thinking about the way, when you walkdown a crowded aisle, people pull in their legsto let you by. Or how strangers still say “bless you”when someone sneezes, a leftoverfrom the Bubonic plague. “Don’t die,” we are saying.And sometimes, when you spill lemonsfrom your grocery bag, someone else will help youpick them up. Mostly, we don’t want to harm each other.We...Ocean Guided Meditation - Sleep Version
Visualize the waves of the ocean to anchor you in this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "It is Born", by Mary Heebner.
This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.It is Born, by Mary HeebnerHere I came to the very edgewhere nothing at all needs saying,everything is absorbed through weather and the sea,and the moon swam back,its rays all silvered,and time and again the darkness would be brokenby the crash of a wave,and every day on the balcony...Ocean Guided Meditation
Visualize the waves of the ocean to anchor you in this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with the poem, "It is Born", by Mary Heebner.It is Born, by Mary HeebnerHere I came to the very edgewhere nothing at all needs saying,everything is absorbed through weather and the sea,and the moon swam back,its rays all silvered,and time and again the darkness would be brokenby the crash of a wave,and every day on the balcony of the sea,wings open, fire is born,and everything is blue again like morning.-It...
New Year Meditation - Sleep Version
Set your intentions for the new year through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with a reading of two poems, "Don't Hesitate", by Mary Oliver and "This New Year", by James Crews.This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.
Don’t Hesitate, by Mary OliverIf you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plentyof lives and whole towns destroyed or aboutto be. We are not wise, and not very oftenkind. And much can never be redeemed.Still, life has some possibility left...New Year Meditation
Set your intentions for the new year through this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker. She completes the meditation with a reading of two poems, "Don't Hesitate", by Mary Oliver and "This New Year", by James Crews.
Don’t Hesitate, by Mary OliverIf you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plentyof lives and whole towns destroyed or aboutto be. We are not wise, and not very oftenkind. And much can never be redeemed.Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps thisis its way of fighting back, that sometimessomething happens better than...Giving Yourself What You Need Meditation - Sleep Version
Relax into this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker as you breathe into what it is you need right now. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Joy", by Donna Asworth.
This version ends with music allowing you to drift off into sleep.Joy, by Donna AsworthJoy does not arrive with a fanfareon a red carpet strewnwith the flowers of a perfect lifejoy sneaks inas you pour a cup of coffeewatching the sunlighthit your favourite tree, just rightand you usher joy awaybecause you are not ready for heryour house is not as it should befor such...Giving Yourself What You Need Meditation
Relax into this guided meditation led by Julie Potiker as you breathe into what it is you need right now. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Joy", by Donna Asworth.Joy, by Donna AsworthJoy does not arrive with a fanfareon a red carpet strewnwith the flowers of a perfect lifejoy sneaks inas you pour a cup of coffeewatching the sunlighthit your favourite tree, just rightand you usher joy awaybecause you are not ready for heryour house is not as it should befor such a distinguished guestbut joy cares nothing for your messy homeor your bank-balance, or your waistline, you...
Chanukah 2025 Meditation - Sleep Version
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 co...Chanukah 2025 Meditation
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 si...
Lots of Quiet Meditation - Sleep Version
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...Lots of Quiet Meditation
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 Sullivan
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...Breathing Compassion Guided Meditation - Sleep Version
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 remained
silent and just keep shining.
So I repeated my question, this time imploringly:
What is the most important thing?<...
Breathing Compassion Guided Meditation
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 remained
silent 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.<...
Calm Healing Meditation - Sleep Version
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...Calm Healing Meditation
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...Peaceful Meditation - Sleep version
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...Peaceful Meditation
Julie Potiker leads you through this meditation centering on peace. She completes the meditation with the poem, "Staying True", by James Crews.Staying True
Though 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 mo...Compassion Meditation - Sleep Version
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...Compassion Meditation
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...Goodness In and Out Meditation -Sleep Version
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...Goodness In and Out Meditation
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...Lots of Silence - Breathing Meditation -Sleep Version
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...
