When we consider setting aside specific time for prayer and meditation, we find a variety of reasons for not doing so. We are busy people. We have duties and responsibilities which (we believe) we have not necessarily chosen, and we must take care of them. Everything we do is important, and there is simply no time for prayer and meditation.

If we are honest, some of us have another reason. And that is that we are afraid. We are afraid of what may happen if we begin to devote serious time to prayer and meditation. This fear can be stronger if we know someone who has begun this practice and has started to change as a result. We see that person begin to question other aspects of her life. We see subtle changes in his personality and in his priorities. We sense, perhaps, a distance between ourselves and her -- not meaning that she has withdrawn in any way, but that we don't seem to recognize her as quite the person she was.

If there are good reasons not to pray and meditate, this may be the best. For our fears are well founded. Those of us that have started an active prayer and meditation life have indeed discovered that it changes us. It makes us call still other areas of our lives into question. It's the start of a completely new journey.