Join Julie Potiker as she leads this open awareness meditation. She completes the meditation with her poem, "Before Dawn".

Before Dawn, by Julie Potiker.Even with fences, even with locks, I’m not always safe from the thoughts in my head. The second sleep—that strange, lucid hour before dawn—can be a dangerous place. My mind unspools anxieties, wild and uninvited.I climb out from under the dogs and tangled covers, pour a strong brew, and step into the courtyard. The air is cool, the sky still a deep indigo. Somewhere a robin begins, then a towhee joins in, and soon the whole chorus is at work as the light rises. Slowly, I begin to breathe in rhythm with them. The chatter inside softens. The morning expands. I remember that peace is not the absence of thought, but the practice of returning—again and again.

Continue your mindfulness journey with Julie - through her writings. Her latest book is, "Gentle Currents: Poems of Pause & Peace", a collection of poems focusing on themes of nature, self-compassion, and tranquility.Her other books include,"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". All 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.