I will have to get back to you on book titles, since that is what you prefer. But as for meditation, I have been doing so for over 30 years. It can be done in many different forms, so do not limit your scope to just "sitting" and thinking.

It is fortunate for me that ppl in my life had different ways to calm themselves. I use several. Since I have a connection to native american ways, a ritual of lighting a candle, and asking for energy, guidance etc while listening to native american dance music or drumming helps me find another reality than this one. I usually end up lying down, comfortably, in a north-south position...

A drumming tape, or tapping alone can help the mind free itself of regular thoughts. Even music you find calming... whether it be Mozart or Kenny G... I also use a cd given to me that takes me into delta brain waveform....

Praying is a form of meditation....

Perhaps the key element in each method, IMHO, is stopping intruding thoughts. As a beginner, this takes actually learning to recognize as soon as you begin to stray into the worries of this life, to tell yourself STOP, I'm not thinking about that right now... and go back to concentrating upon the music or light of the candle or the blank chalkboard imagery.. whatever you try to use to clear your mind.

This is much I have posted, there is much more... and will post again if you like.

Welcome again.

<font color=blue> meditation is a true way to connect to the Source </font color=blue>