Many - probably most - of the methods of meditation I have encountered, are focused on learning the skill of controlling attention.
The basic idea is that normally our attention is drawn to unhelpful things, trivialities and worries, and we need to learn to direct this attention where We want it.
Techniques like the use of a mantra are attempting to prevent attention being 'caught' by the normal, routine, superficialities of everyday life...
However - if meditation is instead an attempt to be intuitive, to re-connect with our real self (which is divine - 'god within us') then any attempt to control attention is met with a block.
The problem is: that which controls attention is not itself the real self.
The problem for 'modern Man' is that the thoughts from the real self are overwhelmed and lost by superficial thought, coming from 'false selves'; outside, from memories, or instincts... and none of these are the real self.
And that-which-controls-attention starts-out from a situation of not knowing where to look-for the intuitions of the real self.
This situation is exacerbated when the aim is to control attention. Yes, we can learn to control attention, it can even become a habit - but we cannot learn to direct attention at the real self, because that is just another attempt to exert mastery over the real self. Which is exactly what we want to avoid.
The proper attitude with respect to attention is more like a sensitive listening, an opening of attention, than any attempt at 'control' of attention.
The intention and hope is that by becoming calm and attuned, our attention might be 'caught' by the thinking of the real self. And then - once that thinking has been identified - but only then - could attention be directed to that particular stream of thinking, from among all the other (louder, more demanding) thoughts.
The same criticism applies to the attempt to stop thinking, let it slide, allow thoughts to pass-through and out-from the mind etc. Such a method will allow the subtle thoughts of the real self to escape notice, while it is tuning-out the bad kind of thoughts.
In the end, everything hinges on being able to know the provenance of our thinking, so that we can know when thoughts are from the real self.
Knowing when we know...
That' should be our aim in the most important kind of 'meditation' - one directed at becoming wider, at knowing reality - although there is no 'technique' for doing it.
