Eclipse hangs on loading workbench

Try the following:

1. Delete your .eclipse directory in your home directory. Launch eclipse. If that doesn't work,
2. Open eclipse under another user account. If it loads, you know the problem is with your account, not your eclipse installation.
3. If #2 didn't work your workspace might be screwed up. Delete the .metadata folder in your localworkspace (this is what worked for me). It seems that it contains a .LOCK file that if not properly closed, prevents eclipse from starting properly.