mind machines and meditation, page-7

I am interested in improving my behavior and function. It seems to me my mind gets overloaded and then relationships suffer...trying to relax empty my mind...I find it difficult to stop thinking.

Buddha was a master of meditation

Buddha taught the Eightfold Path, which has eight factors

the 8th factor the Eightfold Path is the empty relaxed focused mind, called 'Right Concentration'

however, the 2nd factor of the path is called 'Right Thinking'

therefore, to reach the point of 'Right Concentration', which you seek, the development of 'Right Thinking' is a pre-requisite

in developing Right Thinking, thoughts, as they arise, are identified as unskilful thinking & skilful thinking

unskilful thinking are the kinds of thoughts that harm ourself, harm others & harm our relationships with others

skilful thinking are the kinds of thoughts that do not harm ourself, do not harm others & do not harm our relationships with others

therefore, to achieve your goal, Buddha would recommend to gently examine your thoughts & train yourself in using wisdom to modify your thoughts (rather than to immediately try to rid your mind of thoughts)

it was by examining his thoughts that Buddha eventually reached the peaceful & happy state of no thoughts

we can read about this here:

http://suttacentral.net/mn19/en

best wishes