7.1. Bhavana means "culture" or "development." It aims at cleansing the mind of impurities and disturbances and realizing the Ultimate Truth, Nirvana.

http://www.buddhist-book.com/

7.2. The essence of Meditation: Mindfulness, e.g. "The Mindfulness or Awareness of in-and-out breathing."

7.3. Two forms of meditation:

7.3.1. Form I—yogic practice: The development of mental concentration (Samatha), of one-pointedness of mind (Cittaikagrata).

7.3.1.1. This form of meditation leads up one to the highest mystic states, such as the "Sphere of Nothingness" etc. But these mystic states have nothing to do with Reality. It is not purely Buddhist.

7.3.2. Form II—vipassana: "Insight" into the nature of things, leading to the complete liberation of mind and realizing Nirvana.

   

7.4.The difference between the two forms:

7.4.1. Yogic practice is called as the Transcendental Meditation.

            Conscious breathing

7.4.1. 1. Technique: Simple, natural, effortless procedure practiced. Practicing 15-20 minutes in the morning and evening, while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. During this technique, the individual's awareness settles down and experiences a unique state of restful alertness. As the body becomes deeply relaxed, the mind transcends all mental activity to experience the simplest form of awareness, Transcendental Consciousness, where consciousness is open to itself. This is the self-referral state of consciousness.

7.4.1.2. Results: Increased brain wave coherence:

http://www.tm.org/main_pages/maharishi.htm

                    http://www.maharishi-india.org/programmes/p2sidhi.html

7.4.2. Vipassana means "to see things as they really are.”

7.4.2.1. The technique: a simple, practical way to achieve real peace of mind.

7.4.2.2.the history: During the Buddha’s time, large numbers of people in northern India were freed from the bonds of suffering by practicing Vipassana, allowing them to attain high levels of achievement in all spheres of life. Over time, the technique spread to the neighbouring countries of Burma, Sri Lanka, Thailand and others.

Five centuries after the Buddha, the noble heritage of Vipassana had disappeared from India. In the country of Burma, however, it was preserved by a chain of devoted teachers. From generation to generation, over two thousand years, this dedicated lineage transmitted the technique in its pristine purity.

7.4.2.3. Result: leading a happy, useful life.

    100 years of U Ba Khin's Vipassana (Part 1)

    Vipassana meditation - why meditate?

7.5. Practicing the Mindfulness of in-and-out breathing:       

7.5.1.Setting in a right and comfortable posture.

7.5.2. Letting your mind concentrate on your breathing-in and breathing-out.

7.5.3. Being aware and mindful of whatever you do.