I've read different books, tried different techniques and now I am asking the experts out there what is the easiest method for learning to meditate.  I have an active mind that never seems to stop.  I've tried holding crystals and counting. Thank you for your input!

Believer

Breath is the key ( for me anyway).
Apologies for those who already know this, when a baby is born they breathe naturally - through the diaphragm, watch a newborn laying on it's back and it's tummy goes up and down.
When kids go to school they have to grab in the the first few days and control them - otherwise they would chaos.
The way they do this is by making them breathe un-naturally.
"Now them children form a crocodile, stand up straight, tummies in chest out." They've got them - same with the military "Stand to attention you 'orrible little man."
as soon as you stop using your diaphragm they have you.

So 1st exercise. Put both hands on your stomach, just above your belly button. Breath out, then breath in and push your stomach against your hands, when you breathe out push your hands into your stomach (try to push hard in and up).
Help yourself this way until you can get into the rhythm and then just concentrate on this breathing.
It could well make you light headed. I'm not going into the physiology of diaphragms and lungs but do this first.
When you can do this come back and ask again.

This is something I really need to work on.  For some reason, when I'm not "trying" I'm able to  let my mind go blank, and all sorts of oddness occurs.    But if I TRY to meditate in any form, all that happens is that all my worries come flooding into my brain.  To me, it takes great control, and I have not mastered that yet.  I will try your breathing exercises.  I have tried many things  but they never seem to succeed.  I think it is a problem that cannot be helped on the outside, but something I need to hone from within me.

part of your problem is the breathing, get this soted and the mind starts to calm down, leave this bit out and your mind might as well try to herd cats.

Prof. Akers,

I will try the breathing exercise and your descriptions make me smile    - a Good Thing!  Is there a number or amount of time required to be effective?