[USER=10948]@rjb[/USER] I think we are discussing 3 or 4 very different practices.  Meditation, contemplation, mindfulness, active visualization etc.

Even these divisions can be broken down into a myriad of subcategories.  I personally know at least a few dozen different meditation techniques.

My sifu used to say that meditation is not the practice that we call meditating.  Meditation is the goal of this practice.  Thus, the different meditation techniques are rather means to the end of getting you to relax into a period of no-thought.  This can be accomplished by one pointed awareness dropping off into the void of no thought, by increasing awareness to saturation, by tiring the critical mind out, by giving it a toy to play with while you observe it from the outside etc. etc.

Of course, this worthy goal of meditation is not the only kind of spiritual or mystical experience that people seek when they engage in these practices, either.