Bring beans to the boil. Fast boil, for ten minutes. Turn off the heat and put on the lid. Sit for two hours. Cook. (as said, cant' vouch for the effectiveness, but that's what I remember.)

I think that is too long, they'll stay hard. I do this all of the time, and my technique is to bring to the boil for TWO minutes then take off the heat and let sit for ONE hour. They are ready to cook and are the right consistency.

SRS