[markshome23]

hello everyone,

i'm fairly new to these forums and the topics dw and the members here relate and discuss. everything i have read on the web about meditiation, including testimonials, seems extremely positive so the practice has recently interested me greatly

however, the basics are very confusing because there seems to be so many different "flavors" (for lack of a better term) and so many mystic and spiritual views intertwined within the teachings of the techniques themselves. as a beginner, my interest is to learn to meditate and progress to the higher consciousness states as efficiently as possible for me. i will then further develop my own spirituality both within and external to this practice.

so, it seems to me that given all the more experienced and/or advanced meditation practitioners out there, there would be some fundamental checklist of one way (not necessarily the only way) to progress to deeper stages of meditation but mainly what i have found so far on the web is people trying to sell me stuff before i even have practical personal proof that this is good for me. i would think there would be some simple "list" or formula available that works along these lines:

1st stage) perform specific exercise a or b or c (depending on which one you like better or is more focusing) until you feel like x or y or z (which would be a somewhat clear indicator you are ready to progress to more advanced areas.

2nd through nth stages) repeat the formula above, substituting the variables appropriate for that stage

now, i hope you get a good smile at my "algebraically" simple way of wanting to approach this but it seems reasonable to me as it seems to be a common way to progress in all forms of training and life.

so, to quit wasting your bandwidth here, my question is are there some good pointers to places on the web or a book that aligns with my approach/way of wanting to learn? feel free to email me if it isn't appropriate to post in this forum.

also, please feel free to comment in general on what i have said and any misconceptions you think i may have and i will certainly take it under friendly advisement

thanks,

mac