Meditation

Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed for about 45 minutes. Sit in a comfortable position. You can lie down, but you may fall asleep if you do. Close your eyes and breathe slowly. I call this four-count breathing--it's an old yoga technique. Breathe in to the count of 6 (or 8, or 10, whatever you feel comfortable with), hold it to the count of 6, exhale to the count of 6, hold it to the count of six. Ideally it should be to the count of 10 heartbeats, but very few people actually do that.

Concentrate on breathing. If your thoughts wander off (and they will) just let any distractions slide away and pick up with counting the breathing again. Keep it up until it is smooth and easy.

Eventually (and you may not get there the first time or two) you will realize with a gentle start that you're still doing the rhythmic breathing but no longer counting, and you will find yourself peaceful and centered without extraneous thoughts rushing about in your brain.

Once you are there, enjoy it for a couple of minutes, then you will need to come back to the real world. Tell yourself you will begin to hear the things around you (and you will) and feel the things around you (and you will). When you are ready, tell yourself that on the count of 3 you will return to the present time, aware and refreshed and rested. Then count to 3.

Try to do this regularly, daily or several times a week. It should take about 20-30 minutes, maybe a little longer while you're learning.