There could be any number of motivations for one to begin meditation. I have written earlier of the dilemma faced by physicians keen to 'prescribe religion' for its utilitarian and instrumental value to physical and mental health. In part, this can be understood as advocating for an uptake of a practice of meditation, or contemplation - both common to many religions. Thus meditation can be, and indeed is, commonly practised in secular society outside of a religious framework. Of course, widespread practice means that the individual approach and experience will vary a great deal.
I find the approach to meditation found in Zen Buddhism most interesting. The idea of reality as a construct that takes place between ones thoughts and ones senses means implicitly that there must be something prior to this interaction taking place. This distinction can be understood as dualism and non-dualism. In practice, meditation then can be seen as a means of accessing the non-dualist world, or the 'true' reality through transcending the dualist, 'constructed' reality or way of knowing (Suzuki 1938: 48, 53). While controlled access to this state through meditation may require considerable training and experience, having and maintaining an awareness of these two states can augment ones experience of life, and allow for moments or glimpses of a true reality.
Reference
Suzuki, Daisetz Teitaro. 1936. 'Zen Buddhism'. Monumenta Nipponica, 1(1): 47-58
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