Most of us in the West have an idea of what we think we’re seeing when we see a person sitting in lotus posture with their eyes closed for long periods of time: meditation.  The tradition of Yoga as outlined by Patanjali actually cites what most of us consider to be meditation to actually be the act of concentration.  In this act of concentration, the practitioner continually focuses on an object, their breath, a mantra, a visualization of energy within themselves, or other devices.  The practitioner is in meditation when, after what is usually a number of years of practice, they no longer have to focus their thoughts but let go of thought completely.  Meditation, and the final step of oneness or Samadhi, will take place after what is usually a number of years of devoted concentration.  Once you are one-pointedly focused on your object of concentration, meditation will naturally come from within.