Anyone can daydream, but daydreaming holds us in the world of sensation.
How do we know when we have actually been meditating, and not just entertaining our self with series of daydreams?
The only sensible answer to this question is to look at the results.
The effectiveness of meditation should always be evaluated in terms of the enrichment of our self-expression and growth inn our understanding-not in terms of how many lights we see, how “deep” we go, or what sort of visions appear.
Amid all the clamor about breathing, chanting, postures, and obeisance to a guru, one fact stands clear: the true activity of mediations accrues in consciousness, not sensation. The best measure of mediation, therefore, is our success in managing our thoughts, feelings, and intentions, so they become more enlightened. Our capacity to breathe deeply, visualize clear symbols of images, adore a guru, or sound certain words is no guarantee whatsoever of achievement in meditation. Even the most casual follower of fads can lean to imitate these phenomena.
It is always more appealing to focus our attention on lovely images and superficial changes instead of disciplining our self to make substantial contact with the higher self. It is more “fun” to pretend that a magical force such as kundalini is flowing up the spine than it is to struggle with the work of forgiveness.
It is easier to sound a mantra than it is to make our habits sound.
It is simpler to concentrate on a straight posture than it is to create straight thoughts about our self-deceptions.
It is more comforting to hold in mind a pleasant day dream than it is to generate benevolent thoughts regarding a tragedy we have experienced.
It is more restful just to relax and let go of tension than it is to remove the psychological reactions which caused the tension to build in the first place.
But none of these is a path to the higher self-just to superficial pacification. It is important to respect the tremendous richness which can be tapped in effective meditation, and not be fooled by insignificant phenomena. We have the responsibility to place our priorities for meditation in proper order. Only then will it be possible to evaluate accurately the progress we are making.
This is just common sense. If our goals and motivations do not amount to much, neither will our efforts. The person who meditates only to find tranquil respite from the harried activities of life will never tap the higher self or the riches of heaven. Instead of meditating, he ought to take a nap-or soak himself in a hot bath. But the person who wants to remove the elements of his own hostility, resentment, and intolerance which nip at him throughout the day will not only find a new measure of tranquility once they are removed, but will also discover great resources of compassion, forgiveness, and peace within himself. Surely that would be an indication of the work of meditation in proceeding well.
There are dangers in pursuing the practice of meditation without an intelligent definition of our goals and expectations, or means for examining how well we are proceeding. One danger is that the whole effort will sink to a level of artificial catatonia; in the quest of peacefulness at all-just the avoidance of responsibility.
Another danger is the risk of being held hostage by the wish life of the personality. The subconscious of each of us is well-stocked with feelings, images, memories, and associations. It can be very exciting to pursue these-especially since the pursuit will quickly take us out of our subconscious (allowing us to conveniently forget our problems) into the subconscious of mass consciousness. The risk is that we may soon become trapped on the level of these images, and actually begin to believe that these images represent the higher self. In point of fact, however, they are several strata below.
This danger of being tapped by the wish life is far more common and enticing than might be suspected. The study of the images of the mind has always been popular, and for good reason- it is a science in itself, when properly approached. But when the study of images is promoted as a fad, or taught by people who have little knowledge of the limitations or scope of imagery, it can become a seductive diversion from the real work of meditation. In such cases, the images or symbols perceived are made almost wholly of emotional or astral energy- which is, of course, the primary energy of our wish life. The temptation to deal with them exclusively on this level, and not discover their counterparts in the mind and the higher self-- where their true power lies-is enormous. But it is always the highest level of consciousness which should be pursued in meditation-not the far more entertaining and pretty images of the subconscious. The responsible mediator must learn this basic lesson.
The third danger of meditation without a sense of responsibility or true intelligence is the most obvious. It is just a waste of time. This also implies the most effective measure of the success of our efforts. If we are meditating well, it is time well spent.
If not, it is just a waste.

Now that you've read this, get the book to find out what meditation is.
Also, check out another chapter called: Turning Points that explains their perspective more clearly and even with a bit of a "how to begin". Yet the book is filled with so much more information, that it is recommended to get a copy and live with it for a while as you allow your meditation practice
to begin solving real life problems, not just "cope" with them.