But let's face it. Finding time to meditate is not easy. There is always something in the physical realm that needs your attention--children, pets, bills, significant others, and other pesky intruders of that ilk. I myself have struggled for years to set aside just a small chunk of time each day for meditation. But I have since discovered a better way.

Setting aside time each day to meditate, while ultimately a goal to aspire to, simply sets us up for a fall. If for some reason you don't manage to meditate one day, you might feel disappointed in yourself, and then reluctant to keep your meditation appointment the next day. Instead, I propose a little experiment.

The next time you have your 15-minute work break, or are sitting in the waiting room at the DMV, or are under the hair dryer at the beauty salon, close your eyes and practice a simple meditation exercise. Don't worry--you will still be aware enough to hear if your number or name is called. Just close your eyes and do the exercise, breathing deep and quieting your mind.

Here is a meditation warm-up I use that helps ground and center me. I often turn to this simple practice in situations like waiting-room sojourns as a quick meditation pick-me-up.

Close your eyes and center yourself in your body. Imagine the energy centers of your body are all aligned, from the crown of your head to your root chakra. As you breathe in, gather your energy inside you, and as you breathe out, gently push that energy downward into the Earth. Imagine it as a flexible yet indestructible cord that melds with the Earth as it stretches down toward the Earth's molten core. With each inhale, gather more of your energy about you, and with each exhale, lengthen and broaden your cord-connection with the Earth. Once you feel you've reached the core of the Earth, use your exhales to strengthen the attachment, widening your cord into a column.

On your next exhale, feel yourself growing roots, as deep and binding as the roots of an ancient tree. Expand your roots with each exhale--remembering to maintain your column--until your energy is bound inextricably with the Earth. Now, begin again--only this time, push your energy upward into the heavens. I imagine that I am sending my energy up through the atmosphere to connect with the power of the stars. Repeat the lengthening and broadening process until you are as connected with the stars as you are the core of the Earth. Then, repeat the root-growing process by spreading roots into the air around you--make it as wide and as expansive a network of roots as you did your tree roots.

As you breathe in, draw to yourself the energy that exists in the world around you. As you breathe out, give thanks and humble reverence for the Goddess and her gifts. Imagine you are the center of all the energy flowing in and out. Feel that you are at the center of your world. Continue to breathe in and out.

Now, empty your mind of thought and listen.

To end your meditation session, just pass a hand gently over your head and down the front of your body, focusing on the intent to close your energy centers.

One caveat to this practice is that, of course, do not practice meditation in a setting in which you feel in any way uncomfortable. You wouldn't be able to focus your intention anyway if you feel unsafe or self-conscious. Use your judgment when determining where and when to practice meditation.

Ultimately, you'll discover many places and times to meditate throughout the day without even trying, which will, in turn, connect you more profoundly with the Goddess. Good luck and happy meditating!

--Cat Wolfe-Sweeney