Buddhism and Meditation...why the link?
Mechanics know engines...doctors know bodies...do you know your mind?...all observations, reactions, acts in your life till now...begin and end in your mind...
So wouldn't a reasonable person beginning their quest to know what makes them tick start here? before the next step of improving their lives by engaging the minds effectively in their lives...which fundamental of Buddhist life path...
So first step...just plain observation...ya? of what you do, when you do, and results off...or called "Awareness"...
That is 'meditation'...anything else that does not advance this Awareness is not meditation...its something else...so ignore anything and anyone or everyone who does not assist you in your quest of Awareness...then next step automatically forms...
Remember its a 'Self_quest"...and this awareness is continuing 24/7...so you are meditating right now...now its brought to conscious state...thats it...so dont even call it Buddhism...jut do and be to better...
sam
Ps~you'll quickly realize there are two components to your mind...the brain physical and effective energy that drives its actions...so your next step immediately becomes energy awareness(open third eye)...to progress further...then amaxing things and abilities happen...

there are two components to your mind.
Sam said,
One side thinks the other side doesn't, at least that's what i gauge from my observations in the people around me.

Individual wrote "One side thinks the other side doesn't"...
hahah...a good awareness, that...
I think this might explain it...just go with me...
mathematics...
please calculate 2+2dollars, multiply that by 4, divide by 8...multiply that by 100= whats the answer, while you aware of yourself generally...

Now same calculation...but imagine its your bank working out how much fees they will remove from your account...

see the difference...first is logical so left side of brain...you feel cool and settled...
Next is emotional...feel unsettled and mind racing with objections...thats all right sided brain activity...which people tend to suppress a lot...but still its going on...

hope this makes sense...
sam