Back in 1968, after a friend gave me a few basic instructions on how to begin meditating, it wasn't long before I realized that I was seriously in need of more information on the subject; thus began for me a lifelong informal investigation into the planet's numerous meditation traditions. Because I'm a practical person (and one for whom "because I said so" has never been enough of an answer), I soon discovered that it was important for me to examine the "why" behind those traditions - the physiology, psychology and purpose of sitting in meditation; its relationship between physical and mental experience; therelationship of each meditation technique to the spiritual tradition which taught it; the relationship of meditation to "real life."