Meditation - anyone do it?

I'd like to learn some meditation techniques, but don't know where to start. There are so many different types I downloaded a podcast, but haven't had a chance to listen yet. Did anyone use one of the bazillion "learn to meditate" cd's available? Of is there a book that worked for you?

Nope. I did meditation through biofeedback at our local hospital. I did that for migraines because meds weren't working. It worked awesome, but unfortunately with 2 kids around I haven't found a way to relax enough to actually meditate.

Now I run or go driving with the radio really loud.

DH meditates every morning. No, he didn't learn it from a CD, but his church. It's a personal thing, so it's not like I can really tell you "how" he does it. But from watching, he usually sets his alarm for like 4am, stays in bed, puts in ear plugs sometimes and then....................I don't know what happens from there. Sometimes he falls asleep, others not. He can do it for about an hour. Sometimes he will go downstairs, light a candle in the living room and meditate laying down on the couch. Again, I don't know what happens after he closes his eyes.

I believe, and I'm not positive, that just the state of relaxing, going deep into your own thoughts without distraction, is what it's all about. It's probably different for every person, but DH has told me before that it really doesn't make a difference whether he falls asleep or not, he is still meditating according to his church. It's a form of soul searching (to describe it in the best way I know how). Putting yourself on another plane of some kind. (Please no one bash me for that with anything religious, it's just how he describes it). I know DH often focuses on an issue he may be having and afterward, he always comes out feeling better about the issue. He is always much more positive.

Hope that helps some. I can never relax enough to get into it, but I would really like to learn how.

I don't know if I do it "correctly", I guess it depends on which definition of meditation you use. I don't do it often, with the kids, phone, etc it's hard but I do find myself able from time to time to tune out all the thoughts and just feel "centered"....when I can achieve that I try to stay in that frame of mind for as long as I can and usually come out feeling refreshed and relaxed. For me, my version of meditating is just to clear my head to the point that my mind is truly blank.

What Monica said. There are so many different forms of meditation and each person is so different in where their meditations lead them.

I would just start by closing my eyes and blocking out all noise and distraction. Go to your 'quiet place' and clear your head. A friend of mine recently shared this with me:

Wow, I like Aimee's friend's ritual. To me, meditation is about clearing your mind as completely as possible- pushing all earthly worries and concerns into the far recesses of your mind and just focussing on breathing and bodily sensations. That concentration on breathing is what helps me to push the invasive thoughts aside. Doing yoga is alot like meditating for me, b/c I'm concentrating solely on physical sensations and breathing.
I've done a decent amount of meditating, though I don't do it regularly enough. I taught myself how in an effort to get control of my anxiety issues, and it is quite helpful for that (though not in acute situations). I read a book, tried hypnotherapy a few times, and just sort of wing it. The times it works, it is sublime. Better than drugs in many ways.

I was introduced to meditation at a young age (preteen), and most recently took a Zen meditation class. Some people, in addition to focusing on breathing, say a mantra---a sound or a word or a phrase---repeatedly. It clears the mind. I prefer silent meditation. You'll notice intrusive thoughts coming in constantly. What you're going to make for dinner. What you need to buy for soccer. You still need to call the teacher about that incident. And fill that prescription. As you become aware of these thoughts, you let them glide by without holding onto them or pursuing them. Acknowledge that the thought came in, and let it go by. Back to emptiness. After 30 minutes, you might be surprised how uplifted and relaxed you feel. In rare cases, people experience the emptying out as unsettling or disturbing or lonely. I often feel like my senses are heightened after meditating. Reds are redder, yellows are yellower, tastes and smells are stronger.

I also like Aimee's friend's ritual. I'm going to try that next time!