great post! gunna read the whole thing later..
personally ive been taking a yoga+meditation class for about 3 years now.. and it is amazing. it has really changed my life in a very positive way.
Autobiography of a yogi by Paramhansa Yogananda is a LIFE CHANGING book and a must read if your into yoga and/or meditating. im almost done reading it and as soon as im finished im going to read it again and again its that good. and REAL.
first and formost its all about b.a.r.b
balance
alignment
realse tension
breath
once you have done the first 3 you can focus on the breath
anyways.. the advice i can give to you a meditational technique i use that is very simple, easy and effective.
breath in count 1,2,3,4,5
hold for 1,2,3,4,5
exhale 1,2,3,4,5
repeat 5Xtimes
then do it all over with 1,2,3,4,5,6, 6X times etc....
its all about controling the breath. let the thoughts come raging in then just go back to your breath.. you can do it
once you felt the divine moment in meditation where you feel complete.. you will strive to reach it everytime.
Relaxation Response is a great read too if you need the medical/scientific point of veiw.
peace