Melvin McLeod writes in his introduction to The Best Buddhist Writing 2007:

According to Buddhism, our fundamental problem is not sin or some moral failing. We suffer because of our ignorance; because we do not understand the actual nature of reality…

The medicine that heals this illness of ignorance is insight or wisdom, which we can develop through the practice of meditation. Meditation means working with our mind, the source of all we experience and do. Through the practice of meditation we become familiar with all that goes on in our mind, both its confusion and inherent wakefulness. We tame the unpheavals, conflicting emotions, and mistaken views that cause so much suffering for ourselves and others, and come to know the mind’s true nature, which is enlightenment. While many religions practice some form of meditation or contemplation, what’s unique about Buddhist meditation is that it doesn’t involve doing, changing, or creating anything. It’s about stopping and resting – about relaxing at least for a moment our endless struggles and cogitations. The basic Buddhist view is that we are fine – perfect even – just the way we are. The practice is simply letting go – of all the ways we feel we have to improve or solidify ourselves. It’s so simple, yet so profound and so difficult.