What meditation is can be seen in very different ways. 
Meditation is not a technique or method to reach a determined goal. That one becomes more relaxed, emotionally and mentally balanced, can be seen as a side effect, but is not the reason why we meditate. 
'Meditation' is a way to relate and respond in one's life to whatever shows up, outside and inside. - It is more an attitude than something we are doing. 
Of course it might be that someone feels nervous and desperate or is sick and because of this starts to meditate. Indeed this is very important for the 'healing process' and probably the most important basic step. If we come during our path to the moment when struggling through life seems just a turning around ourselves, then after questioning our position and reflecting about it, we might come to a meditative state, where our intention to do something for a specific reasen, mostly because we want to reach a certain goal, has faded away... maybe letting us fall into desperation. Often this happens after something tragical breaks into our until then undisturbed lifestyle, when our cart house of security falls down, leaving us without orientation. Often this happens because of a serious health problem...
Although this situation will be felt as a negative state, it can be a new beginning, an opening to fields of awareness, which will give unknown sense. A new security coming out of insights. The deep longing to connect with one's source will finally guide to the state of 'meditation'. But not necessaryly one has to go through heavy happenings to come to the need to meditate, this urge might come as a sudden from inside... We are here to help you to enter in this state in an easy way. 
You don't need to pay to be initiated into meditation or to join a meditation retreat, although a retreat might help as a start. If you have the urge to meditate then it is possible that you come to a meditative state just by sitting down, closing the eyes and letting go the outside world... But to avoid falling into old pattern of doing, one can seek for some help. We can give you some advices through email, there is no ritual necessary just plain information. If there is an obstacle from your side to ask for help then read this:  "Meditation is not a technique..."