So, I've read some of Jon Kabat Zinn's books - I've followed a handful of guided meditation practises on CD - I've found focussing on my breathing useful as stress relief and the body scan useful as pre-sleep relaxation - but I still feel like I'm just dipping my toes into the water. I've been having a very stressful time for the last few months, cos I got a new more stable job but I've been finding it very frustrating and don't think I've got a very good working relationship with my manager, so I feel that I need inner peace, and that I need help to find it. I've signed up for a beginners' meditation course at the Northwest Centre for Buddhist Meditation (handily just down the road from my new house) - first class tomorrow - here goes nothing!
Yes, there is a very deep world in there, and speaking personally I really needed help to start finding it. The thing about having a real live teacher (rather than a book or CD) is that these wonderful people who practice meditation have such a high degree of presence that they are able to pass some of it on to you - at least while you are there with them in the room. It gives you a glimpse of what is possible within yourself. I recently went for a refresher meditation workshop at the Rigpa Centre in Brisbane and found it very inspiring. I hope you do too...
Karen
ps I think everyone needs inner peace whether or not they have a stressful job and difficult relationship with their manager. Perhaps you could think of it as a useful catalyst to help you on your way