Meditation is considered a tool to build internal energy, develop compassion, love, patience, generosity, and forgiveness. Meditation often involves an internal effort to self-regulate the mind in some way. In Rajyoga meditation the key component is knowing self and working on improving self. Without knowing who one is in real- the meditation is in vain. Once, this clarity is achieved that this meditation is done by my thoughts and not by my mouth or hands the practice gets easier. 
Meditation is a technique to dive in deep and find inner peace and emotionally get awareness of self. The foremost step is the knowledge of God. Meditation or Connecting to God.