Effort

upekka

we need to have effort to meditate

see the following would work with you

First effort = we need to get rid of unskilful thoughts that are not already arisen (kama vitakka, vyapada vitakka, vihimsa vitakka)
when we breath in and there is mindfulness we are in First Effort

Second effort = we need to get rid of unskilful thoughts that are already arisen (loba, dvesa, moha)
when we breath out and there is mindfulness we are in Second Effort

Third effort = we need to develop skilful thoughts (saddha for Buddha, dhamma, sangha- still a worldling should try to develop to sovan stage, a sovan should try to devlop to sakurdagami stage etc.)
the next breath in and there is mindfulness we are in Third Effort

Fourth effort = we need to maintain the skillful thoughts we have already developed (dyana,marga citta etc.)
the next breath out and there is mindfulness we are in Fourth Effort

anybody can try this and see the difference

Cloud

The factors of Right Effort are what you seem to be talking about. I've never seen these applied to meditation itself before...

upekka

this works for me
that is why i want to share it with others

Lotus21

Zen master Thich Nhat Han emphasize this Mindful Breathing technique quite a bit.

upekka

First effort develops loving kindness
second effort develops compassion
third effort develops sympathetic joy
fourth effort develops equanimity

would like to share what i got from the morning meditation