[ Buchtipp von K. Heinz Duthel ] Meditation is the conscious cultivation of mindfulness, positive emotion, and clear perception of the ways things are.
The term meditation encompasses many different techniques that facilitate the the cultivation of, amongst other things, calmness, relaxation, one-pointed concentration, lovingkindness, compassion, a sense of wellbeing, and insight into the nature of reality.
Shamatha (Pali: Samatha) practice calms the mind and helps develops one-pointed concentration and positive emotions. Vipashyana (Pali: Vipassana) practice builds on the calmness, focus, and positive emotion generated in Shamatha , and helps to develop an awareness of the impermanence, interconnectedness, and the contingent nature of our experience.

[ Info ] Duthel, H. : Chinapanchon Pali Meditation. www.lulu.com, 2007 .