Hi, Paul. Good question. You'll probably get a slough of different answers, all of which will probably be right. Sylvia Boorstein, a meditation teacher in California, wrote a book called, "It's Easier Than You Think", and it is. As far as "what to do", probably the simplest "technique" is to sit comfortably in a quiet place with as few distractions as possible, close your eyes, and simply pay attention to your breath as it moves in and out. Each time a thought comes into your mind ("What am I doing?" "Is this right?" "This chair isn't as comfortable as I thought it would be." "Oh, no, I forgot to call Joan!"), be aware of it, and then turn your attention back to your breath. The point of meditation (to my mind, at least) is mindfulness. In the words of Sylvia Boorstein, "Mindfulnes is the aware, balanced acceptance of present experience. It isn't more complicated than that. It is opening to or receiving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, without either clinging to it or rejecting it." In other words, to use the title of another of her books: "Don't Do Something, Sit There"!

This may be more confusing than clarifying because it's so brief, but I hope it helps. Thanks for posting this...I'm sure it will begin an interesting discussion, and one that George no doubt would (will?) appreciate.

Aloha,
Mark