In meditation, you are fully alert, but the mind is not focused on the external world or events. In the process of meditation, we ask the mind to let go of it's tendencies to think, analyze, remember, solve problems, focus on events of the past or on the expectations of the future. Thus, meditation is not thinking about problems or analyzing a situation. It is not fantasizing or daydreaming or merely letting the mind wander aimlessly. Meditation is not having an internal conversation or argument with yourself or intensifying the thinking process.
Meditation is simply a quiet, effortless, one-pointed focus of attention and awareness.
In meditation, we try to let go of all the many mental distractions, preoccupations, and the fleeting thoughts and associations of our normal waking experience. We do this, not by trying to make the mind empty, which is impossible, but instead, by allowing the mind to focus on one subtle element or object. By giving the mind one internal focus of attention, we help the mind to cease it's other stressful mental processes, such as worry, planning, thinking and reasoning. The skills we gain in meditation, to witness our thoughts and emotions, can then be employed in all our relationships through out the day. Instead of always reacting impulsively to our fears, anger and desires, meditation teaches us how to observe them and then to transform their energy into thoughts, words and deeds which raise us to a higher level of happiness and contentment.