user-1: I know there are many types of meditation, but can someone help clarify the following questions on meditation:
- What types of meditation is essential for the practice & why?
- How do those types of meditation work (like what am I suppose to be doing)?
- Why do we do meditation (why is it such an essential thing)?

If you also have any extra information to add, it would be well appreciated!
(And if possible, please cite sources in the Pali Tipitaka for your answer)
Metta to all! 

user-1: You will want to memorize and think about the Dhamma a lot to develop insight, motivation and conviction. Then one would split thinking into two and constantly try to entertain themes which are good, being sensitive to the mind, adjusting to accommodate the various hindrances and contemplating a lot. 
Id advice you to do your own learning and get mastery of the 4 nikayas first but you should also use commentary where it makes sense and have a general idea of origin & points of controversy.
here are various perception developments; https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kZxstsAvjhj9Svc47RUKRIyKQMuHMD4adIvr_7pp2uI/edit
here on factors of enlightenment;
https://docs.google.com/document/d/18b57EkdwyqsmER1dS5MPqpeWSjj82A7qvqYlXrhkCPQ/edit
here on anapanasati meditation;
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hRy-g6o8yKsDQnR6_sbBbY5ZVpDbQ5-_LURXqwxS7YU/edit?usp=sharing
here on dhamma terminology;
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NHDYCBjXLKwCxEUqbqvk7ui9fPfUx6oKxibjXcEH2CM/edit?usp=sharing
here on hindrances;
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qVz1XtntivxPRsxycsrH0_sgILcMbcghdpxoKuxlLYo/edit?usp=sharing
It is best to find some teachers and experiment a lot. 

user295: 

What types of meditation is essential for the practice & why?


The Buddhist path to liberation is divided into 3 trainings:

Source: Maha Cattarīsaka Sutta
Moreover, there 40 types of meditation (Kammaṭṭhāna) which is aimed at fullfilling the 3 trainings:

Sila - recollection of morality (Śīla)
Samadhi - Samatha
Panna - Vipassanā



How do those types of meditation work (like what am I suppose to be doing)?


Sila - recollection of morality (Śīla)
The recollection of virtue reminds oneself of the moral contents one has to follow. Say one gets the motivation to do something unwholesome. The frequent recollection reminds oneself of what one has to follow.
Samadhi - Samatha
This uses and object and one develops one-pointed concentration on it.
Panna - Vipassanā
One examines the realities of phenomena and develops insight into it.


Why do we do meditation (why is it such an essential thing)?


To realise the 3 training meditation is the tool.

-1: <p>I know there are many types of meditation, but can someone help clarify the following questions on meditation:</p>

<pre><code>- What types of meditation is essential for the practice &amp; why?
- How do those types of meditation work (like what am I suppose to be doing)?
- Why do we do meditation (why is it such an essential thing)?
</code></pre>

<p>If you also have any extra information to add, it would be well appreciated!</p>

<p>(And if possible, please cite sources in the Pali Tipitaka for your answer)</p>

<p>Metta to all! </p>
 -1: <p>You will want to memorize and think about the Dhamma a lot to develop insight, motivation and conviction. Then one would split thinking into two and constantly try to entertain themes which are good, being sensitive to the mind, adjusting to accommodate the various hindrances and contemplating a lot. </p>

<p>Id advice you to do your own learning and get mastery of the 4 nikayas first but you should also use commentary where it makes sense and have a general idea of origin &amp; points of controversy.</p>

<p>here are various perception developments; <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kZxstsAvjhj9Svc47RUKRIyKQMuHMD4adIvr_7pp2uI/edit" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kZxstsAvjhj9Svc47RUKRIyKQMuHMD4adIvr_7pp2uI/edit</a></p>

<p>here on factors of enlightenment;
<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/18b57EkdwyqsmER1dS5MPqpeWSjj82A7qvqYlXrhkCPQ/edit" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://docs.google.com/document/d/18b57EkdwyqsmER1dS5MPqpeWSjj82A7qvqYlXrhkCPQ/edit</a></p>

<p>here on anapanasati meditation;
<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hRy-g6o8yKsDQnR6_sbBbY5ZVpDbQ5-_LURXqwxS7YU/edit?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hRy-g6o8yKsDQnR6_sbBbY5ZVpDbQ5-_LURXqwxS7YU/edit?usp=sharing</a></p>

<p>here on dhamma terminology;
<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NHDYCBjXLKwCxEUqbqvk7ui9fPfUx6oKxibjXcEH2CM/edit?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NHDYCBjXLKwCxEUqbqvk7ui9fPfUx6oKxibjXcEH2CM/edit?usp=sharing</a></p>

<p>here on hindrances;
<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qVz1XtntivxPRsxycsrH0_sgILcMbcghdpxoKuxlLYo/edit?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qVz1XtntivxPRsxycsrH0_sgILcMbcghdpxoKuxlLYo/edit?usp=sharing</a></p>

<p>It is best to find some teachers and experiment a lot. </p>
 295: <blockquote>
  <ul>
  <li>What types of meditation is essential for the practice &amp; why?</li>
  </ul>
</blockquote>

<p>The Buddhist path to liberation is divided into 3 trainings:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/xRNQB.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/xRNQB.png" alt="Noble 8 Fold Path"></a></p>

<p>Source: <a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/6.10-Maha-Cattarisaka-S-m117-piya.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Maha Cattarīsaka Sutta</a></p>

<p>Moreover, there <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamma%E1%B9%AD%E1%B9%ADh%C4%81na" rel="nofollow noreferrer">40 types of meditation (Kammaṭṭhāna)</a> which is aimed at fullfilling the 3 trainings:</p>

<ul>
<li>Sila - recollection of morality (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9A%C4%ABla" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Śīla</a>)</li>
<li>Samadhi - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samatha" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Samatha</a></li>
<li>Panna - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipassan%C4%81" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Vipassanā</a></li>
</ul>

<blockquote>
  <ul>
  <li>How do those types of meditation work (like what am I suppose to be doing)?</li>
  </ul>
</blockquote>

<h1>Sila - recollection of morality (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9A%C4%ABla" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Śīla</a>)</h1>

<p>The recollection of virtue reminds oneself of the moral contents one has to follow. Say one gets the motivation to do something unwholesome. The frequent recollection reminds oneself of what one has to follow.</p>

<h1>Samadhi - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samatha" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Samatha</a></h1>

<p>This uses and object and one develops one-pointed concentration on it.</p>

<h1>Panna - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipassan%C4%81" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Vipassanā</a></h1>

<p>One examines the realities of phenomena and develops insight into it.</p>

<blockquote>
  <ul>
  <li>Why do we do meditation (why is it such an essential thing)?</li>
  </ul>
</blockquote>

<p>To realise the 3 training meditation is the tool.</p>
