If we take meditation objects like caganusati, silanusati, buddhanusati, maranasati etc. we can clearly see that all of them require active and sustained thought, however so does metta bhavana or asubha bhavana. Why then is there a distinction in name?

Given that there are 'intentions' (*cetanā*) which lead (if they're not neutral) to either wholesome fruits or unwholesome fruits -- then is the same also true for 'purpose' (*sankappa*), i.e.: - Are there wholesome, unwholesome, and neutral purposes? - Which purpose could be 'wholesome' (if there is a purpose that fits that description)? - What is the difference between a 'wholesome' and 'unwholesome' purpose? - How could a wholesome purpose look like? Definitions: - 'Purpose': objective, agenda, goal, target (outwardly, 'more or less', 'near and far', 'time and place'). - 'Intention': state of *ceto* in action (inwardly) Samples: - If your purpose is to accumulate (material things, a state of becoming): is it possible to maintain wholesome intentions? For example: you like to have a monastery be built, you like to have a medi-community to grow, to be maintained. - If your intention is wholesome, is it possible to strive after a non beneficial purpose? - If your purpose is to let go (of material things, states of becoming): is it possible to maintain unwholesome intentions? For example, you have buliding material and you are willing to let go of it, you have time and you are willing to let go of it. - If your intention is unwholesome, is it possible to strive after a beneficial purpose?

So now I fully understand Samatha Bhavana meditation and the goal of all meditative practice - thanks to some of you guys' helpful answers. However I fail to grasp how to practice the second type of meditation : *Vipassana* Bhavana. I've looked at most of the answers attempting to answer similar questions to mine here on this website, but didn't find them *that* helpful. I know of course what the position you're supposed to adopt is - most traditionally you'll do it sitting, the back straight preferably against a surface such as a wall, etc. But what is your *mind* focusing on during Vipassana ? Thank you