Mar 3, 2008 -- 11:20AM, mysticbutterfly wrote:

I've had trouble clearing my mind for meditation, which I gather is all too common, but I intend to work on it til I'm able to do it. Thanks!

There are many different names of different types of meditation, but something I learned is what was referred to as "detachment meditation," where I don't fight the thoughts that come to mind, I just tell myself "I'll think about that later," then I go back to meditating. 

For me, it takes the pressure off of trying to keep my mind clear.  I embrace the random thoughts, and let them go like a butterfly.  Eventually, somehow, I'm able to be able to hold off unwanted thoughts with no problem later on in the session.