how many HOURS a day do you meditate?

[Diana]

You know... I am STILL trying to figure out meditation. I know how important it is to my path, but nothing seems to "stick". I will go and sit on my bed and try to meditate for 15 mins - hour when I renew my efforts, but nothing of substance seems to come. It just feels like I chose to sit on my bed and do nothing for a half an hour. I have been able to think of "nothing" for minutes on end until a car drives down my street or I hear the dog stirring downstairs. I have also tried focusing on specific things, but this is more difficult than thinking of nothing for me since I start automatically extrapolating likely future scenarios around whatever I tried to focus on.

This matter is of the utmost importance to me, yet I can't seem to figure it out. This is the same problem I have with starting ANYTHING new: I just don't know where to start.

Duncan, I understand about "starting things." This is because I have worked for myself for a long time, and every time I start a job it the hardest part, It is INERTIA. The only way to counteract is to just do it. Go through the steps even if they are mechanical.

Don't expect anything is my advice. I think this is a major road block, as we all are children of instant gratification. Start with 5 minutes each day and just sit there no matter what. I find it helpful to use a timer, as then I have no thoughts of, How much time has passed?, Has it been 3 minutes yet?, etc. If your mind wanders, as everyone's does, just bring it back to focus, no biggie. If you get nothing from the meditation regarding "information" or "experience," I can assure you that the least of what you will get is a centering in calmness for the day.

Also, stories of others' experiences resulting from meditation are likely not frequent at all. They probably clock huge amounts of time in-between these events. Just as positive language and thoughts will reprogram your brain (subconscious), meditation will reprogram your focus to intelligent infinity, but it takes effort and time.