that I don’t think it is easy for anyone. As you say, just sitting and being aware of the breath (or other ways that it can be done, but all with the same underlying intention) is a foreign concept to most. A new muscle in some ways that needs to be trained.
My experience was to learn it over a period of maybe a year, in a group setting (I found meditating in a group easier – I had someplace to be to do it every day at the same time, and the energy of others doing it too was also helpful for me.) I also had some classes where there was some group discussion about what was going on that helped me. Then a silent meditation retreat I did was what really sealed the deal for me.
Also, I hope you don’t mind, there are two books on beginning meditation that I’ll mention that might be useful now or later to you or to someone else interested in this goal. Both are by buddhist authors and have some buddhist references but clearly (I hope) one does not need to be buddhist or plan to become such to read the books or to find them helpful.
The first I have not read but keep hearing it is great: “Mindfulness in Plain English” by Henepola Gunaratana. It addresses vipassana (or “insight”) meditation for beginners.
The second I have read and find it helpful. It is written in simple language: “Turning the MInd into an Ally” by Sakyong Mipham. It addresses shamatha meditation for beginners. I think this is what Jon Kabat-Zinn teaches, although I am not certain… and in fact shamatha meditation ultimately leads to vipassana… at least that’s what I have been taught and it has been my experience.
Good luck with the Forester! Cheers, ILY, YID
