Overview
In the Pali canon, the Buddhist path of practice is simplified into three divisions, namely Morality (Śīla), Concentration (samadhi) and Wisdom (pañña). Each division is dependent on the former. For example, wisdom (constituted by the arising of insight) is dependent on the mind's ability to be still and concentrate. However, for the mind to be unruffled, a firm basis of morality must be present in the person's life. Morality is the foundation of all Buddhist spiritual cultivation and of samatha (calm) in particular. When the mind is calm, concentration not only becomes possible but tends to naturally arise in some form. What is generically referred to as 'Buddhist meditation' by non-Buddhists is the calming and concentration of the mind in seated pose.
Read more about this topic: Samatha Meditation