Jokgom · placement meditation
Placement or settling meditation: resting steadily with an object, understanding or cultivated state, often alternating with analytical reflection.
Resting with an understanding
Jokgom (Tibetan ’jog sgom) is often translated as placement, settling or stabilizing meditation. The mind remains with its object or a cultivated understanding instead of continuing to examine it. The object may be a quality such as compassion as well as something used for concentration.
Working with analysis
In the Dalai Lama’s explanation of lamrim practice, analysis develops an understanding and placement allows the mind to remain with it. When that understanding weakens, examination can resume. This complementary pair describes ways of meditating; placement is not simply another name for every use of śamatha.