Getting good ideas from irredeemable assholes, or should I try meditation?

[specious_reasons]

The thread is titled such because I was introduced to the concept of meditation from Sam Harris. I think he often has compelling ideas, and also has some irredeemably bad ideas he favors, like torture and Uri Gellar.

Because he introduced the idea to me, I've been reluctant to try. Lately, though, I recognize that I probably need to do something more than what I'm currently doing to improve my own mental/physical health. Supposedly, meditation can benefit restfulness, and I crash on the couch more often than I want to, often wrecking my evening plans. I certainly could always use more focus.

I'd like to get more information from redeemable assholes, so I'm asking here.

Does anybody meditate? Is it useful? Are there good (reputable) sources of information?