Bean advice please...can't cook them

I can't cook beans, legumes, whatever-Help!

I love a good chili, white bean or lentil salad, but I end up buying canned beans.

I so much want to tackle my cooking failures with these wonderful and underutilized foods.

What is the secret to making beans from the dried forms? I have tried soaking (shorter/longer), cooking at low heat/high heat, cooking slowly/fast. I usually still end up with either hard beans or mush.

Suggestions?

Rule of thumb for most beans is soak them overnight, then cook on a gentle simmer in water or stock. Cooking time then varies on the bean.

In fact, this link will tell you everything

@ Don Riina : excellent page. Thanks