I want to learn to meditate.  I do not desire a course of religious
instruction. I want to learn the practice of meditation.
Recommendations for learning the parctice are solicited.  Thank you.

Hello grampus-ga,

As a long time meditator, I heartily endorse your desire to learn how
to meditate. I suggest that you start with reviewing the Web sites
that come up when you search for "how to meditate." Many of these
links are excellent starting points for telling you about meditation
and basic meditation techniques.

://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=learn+to+meditate
Search for <learn to meditate>

I suggest that you review the sites from these search results that
appeal to you for any/whatever reason. Read the explanations abour
mediation and try the meditation techniques offered. Meditation has to
be experienced to be understood.

://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&q=how+to+meditate
Search for <how to meditate>

Next, I suggest that you review the appealing links in these search
results. They will give you specific techniques you can try.

://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&q=%22why+meditate%22
Search for <"why meditate">

The links in these results will explain to you the benefits of
meditation. Again, I suggest that you explore the Web sites that
appeal to you.

After you've completed researching the results of the above three
searches you will have a good idea of what meditation is about, why
people value it and have several excellent starting points for
learning how to meditate.

Namaste.

~ czh ~

Perhaps the following links will be helpful to you:

http://www.ananda.org/meditation/support/simplemedtechnique.html

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http://brain.web-us.com/meditation/alternateguidemeditate.html#How%20to%20Meditate

scroll to: Step-By-Step Instructions for the Meditation Technique

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http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:2s7dpPkG9GIJ:www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesTitle/productCd-0764551167.html+learn+the+practice+of+meditation&hl=en

Self hypnosis is an interesting form of meditation. It's really the
same thing as meditation but one that was spun by "gurus" as something
that can help you lose weight and stop smoking (it probably can, but I
won't preach that to you). It's really a way to relax, just like
meditation, and I've been able to relax profoundly by practicing it
every now and then. Here are a few links.

* http://www.bcx.net/hypnosis/induct.htm
* http://www.maxpages.com/autohypnosis
* http://hypnotherapy.net/selfhyp.shtml
* http://www.amazon.com/gp/phrase/hypnosis%20skills/ref=sip_bod_6/102-4477749-8720126
(books at amazon)

I checked Hypnosis for Beginners
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/156718359X/102-4477749-8720126?v=glance)
out from the library on a lark one day, ended up reading it and really
enjoying the self hypnosis section. I've yet to regress into a past
life or hypnotize anyone into believing they are chickens, but the
book really relax a great deal, and I would recommend it to someone
looking into meditation.