My mom took me to a Transcendental Meditation(TM) school when I was young. That was the first time I experienced the sensation of being conscious while my body seemed to be asleep. TM is the repetition of a mantra they give you, kinda like the yogis you see saying "ohmmmm" in the lotus position. Some people listen to the slow ringing of a bell or stare at a lit candle.

The trick for me is trying to be observant as possible of all my senses, just watching, not contemplating. I watch my thoughts as they arise out of nowhere and let them go. I watch how my breathing continues on it's own. Thoughts are the biggest distraction, and for me, PD creates a lot of thoughts. In my mind observe how tight my muscles are, how my hand shakes. As long as I can let the thoughts and emotions of the day go I eventually arrive at a pleasant state of mind where my thoughts and body are quiet but my consciousness is still aware. It's wonderful. Sometimes I can get there in a few minutes other times it takes longer. Other times it stays out of reach.

The bell method is cool because it distracts your mind from thought as you ease in to quietness. The bell rings and you listen to it and follow the sound as far as you can until you can't hear it and so on. Amazon.com probably has CDs for this.

A book I read in the 90s called the Power of Now was quite helpful. It doesn't really talk about meditation, it explains being present, being in the Now.

The Power of Now
http://www.amazon.com/Power-Now-Eckh...5948822&sr=8-1

Practicing the Power of Now: Essential Teachings, Meditations, and Exercises from The Power of Now
http://www.amazon.com/Practicing-Pow...5948822&sr=8-3