> I'm new to this list. I have a question. Where in the Pali Canon
> is the actual description of the techniques of meditation, the
> actual practice?

Vik,

For samma-sati meditation (and hence vipassana) the most referred-to
source for meditation practice is the Satipatthana Sutta at MN 10.
There's an English translation at
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/majjhima/mn010.html (you can
also find the Maha version of the same Sutta at DN 22). Also in the
Majjhima Nikaya is a description of mindfulness of breathing at MN
118, the Anapanasati Sutta, English translation at
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/majjhima/mn118.html

For samma-samadhi meditation, the first four jhanas (rupa jhana) are
described multiple times. As just one example, see MN 119
Kayagatasati Sutta, English version at
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/majjhima/mn119.html Curiously,
though, the actual technique for reaching jhana meditation (as
opposed to a description of the resultant state) is not taught in the
suttas, as far as I know. Perhaps the techniques were so well-known
that there was no need for the Buddha to explicitly teach them. In
any case, nowadays the definitive text on samadhi would be the
relevant section of Buddhaghosa's Visuddhi-magga.

Metta,

Derek.