Meditation is casting off the material world, and focusing on the spiritual. Or you can say it as casting off the physical and focusing on the psychological. It is an exercise of the mind and body, and in my belief - the soul.
There are many, many forms of meditation for many different purposes or aims. Some are religious, yearning to feel connections to God or whatever Powers that Be that you believe in; some are philosophical, seeking answers to questions such as the meaning of life; and some are for healing, to strengthen the body through the mind.
I have done all three. As a young boy, I was raised by a strict Catholic family. Religion is very important in France, and my parents were very religious. I was home-schooled by three nuns and one deacon. I have since forgotten a lot of the Scriptures, and I don't really care to go back to them. I found God when I was alone on that island.
For those of you who do not know my story, please read my ID card. *points to User Info* I hate repeating myself.
How to Meditate: a general guide
With meditation, you aim for one or more of the following:
* a state of relaxed concentration on the reality of the present moment
* a state that is experienced when the mind dissolves and is free of all thoughts
* "concentration in which the attention has been liberated from restlessness and is focused on God."
* focusing the mind on a single object (such as a religious statue, or one's breath, or a mantra)
* a mental "opening up" to the divine, invoking the guidance of a higher power
* reasoned analysis of religious teachings (such as impermanence, for Buddhists).
Step 1: Eliminating distractions
You want to eliminate distractions such as material things - like worrying about how you look - and man-made noises - like telephones, cell phones, beepers, TVs, radios, et cetera. I find it best to change into some comfortable, functional, practical clothing for the job. Find a place away from all the noises that distract you, and settle down.
Step 2: Preparing the body
Eating right and exercising are good for maintaining body health. I am a body builder, so these two things are important for me. It does not mean you have to be buff to meditate, however, but the healthier you are is better. You do need to practice being in a relaxed position (preferably not laying down, as you might fall asleep) and breathing. Breathing is the key. You must steady your breathing so that it is deep, slow, and rhythmic. Try not to pass out.
Step 3: Preparing the mind
Now, this is where most different styles of meditation diverge. Some say clear your mind of all thoughts, others say focus it on a particular object, thought, person, etc. It depends on what you're aiming for. My solution is to do both. Clear your mind first of all thoughts, be one as body and mind, and then open your mind to the one thing you are seeking.
Step 4: Being One of mind and body
This is the important part, and unfortunately I don't know how to express it in words as it is an individual experience, and it is unique unto itself each time as well. You just need to maintain the state of oneness for as long as possible. You don't need to be Buddha, and meditate all day, but your inner clock should be ticking to allow a specified time frame. For most beginners who are not in tune to their inner clocks, this doesn't work.
Just work with it. Practice makes perfect, and you will get better at it in time.
Alternatives:
Some meditations involve not being in a still state, but moving state. These forms of meditation, such as the twirling dance performed by the Sikhs with a relax the mind produce a trance. Orgies do the same thing, but those are often drug-induced and not recommended. You can find all the different styles of
meditation here, if you are interested. I found it to be useful in explaining a few concepts I didn't know how to express previously.