Aras:

I have lots of experience with meditation, and I've found that finding a technique that causes thought to come to come to an end isn't the way to go. Each and every one of is already the divine soul we want to be. The awareness part of our existence cannot become an object of perception. The key is to find the concepts/emotional issues/and psychological issues that limit us, and do what we can to get rid of them.

This is a hard thing to do at times, because of misunderstandings we have. These misunderstandings cause us to believe that we need to hold onto thought patterns that aren't based on what is true.

As opposed to trying to bring your thought processes to a halt, find something to meditate on that interests you, and your attention will automatically be directed that way. We have a hard time paying attention when we aren't interested on what we're trying to focus on. There are different things you can focus on. Perhaps you can try to get a better feel for the spirit being you are. Perhaps you can notice how your body is an object of perception, not that which you are. Perhaps you can try to experience love, happiness or peace more than you have before. Perhaps you can examine a psychological issue that troubles you, from the perspective of love, peace, natural fullness, or a deeper sense of who you are.

A thoughtless state acheived during meditation won't cause the limiting ideas that prevent you from experiencing love, happiness, and peace during your daily life to go away. A thoughtless state of mind usually isn't the same thing as experiencing your true self.

A person can spend years practicing a technique such as transcedental meditation, without ever getting around to finding out what prevents he or she from effortlessly abiding as his or her true self.

How much good does it do a person to go on a two week vacation, if he or she has to spend the other 50 weeks of the year working a job he or she can't stand?

Aras,

I don't believe there is a right or wrong way to meditate. Try what draws you to it. Try something else at a different time. Don't limit yourself to one practice in life.

That's my advice.

There are lots of ways to learn to see clearly.  One meditation is to simply periodically remind yourself of the "background" of the universal support and your higher self which is always there with you.

Meditation can be purposeful with specific intentions.  Or used to change thought patterns.  Or used to quiet thoughts. Or used to experience beauty and serenity.

I know I have not answered your question.  I have used a mantra before, a spoken mantra, and it did serve a useful purpose for me. Any practice which is done regularly will serve to create a regular, reassuring pattern in your life, and is healthful.

I simply caution you not to become fixated on a particular practice or its associated belief system.

love, blink