If the meditator thinks he is the doer of the meditation and takes the authorship of meditation then it is not meditation.

The one which wakes up dreams and sleeps is not the soul, the innermost self. The one which is aware of the waking, dream and deep sleep is the soul the innermost self. The soul is present in the form of consciousness. Thus the waking or dream and deep sleep is mere mirage on the standpoint of the soul or consciousness, the innermost self.  The soul or consciousness  is ever aware and  it is aware of the three states (illusion)which comes and goes in succession.

 The waking or dreams are unreal on the base the soul or consciousness, the innermost self . The reality will  not the reveal until one becomes mentally aware  of the  existence of the formless witness  of the three states.  The formless  witness,which is   soul or consciousness is also the substance of the three states.   The three states are an object to the formless witness.  the formless witness and substance are one in essence.

Therefore, the practices and theories based on the waking entity  or ego are not the means to self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana . If the meditator thinks he is the doer of the meditation and takes the authorship of meditation then it is not real meditation. Meditation is the nature of the soul , the  innermost self.  Realizing the self is neither the waking entity nor the self is dream entity but the self is the formless soul, which witnesses  the coming and going of the three states leads to non-dual Self-Awareness. 

 The self is not the doer. The self is witness  of the doer ,doing and the world.  the doer is the waking entity,which is false self within the false experience.   Without the soul the the three states are  non-existent. The soul, the innermost  self can exist with or without the waking or dream , the illustration is deep sleep.(In deep sleep the soul witnesses its formless non-dual true nature).

  Thus consciously being aware  soul , the innermost self in the midst of  waking experience leads to non-dual self- awareness .   Thus all meditation practiced on the  base of waking entity or ego  ,which is false self  is preparatory practices to reach the ultimate state, which is frees one from experiencing the duality (birth, life death and the world ) as reality. 

When one realizes his present practice of meditation is inadequate and useless after years and years of meditation practice than it is time for him to take path of wisdom. 

 Even Sage Ramana Maharishi :-

 

Q: Which meditation will help me?

Maharishi: Meditation on an object is not helpful. For this reason, you must learn to realize that the subject and object are one. In meditating on an object, you are destroying that sense of oneness and creating duality. Meditate only on the Self. Try to realize that the body is not you, the emotions are not you, the intellect is not you. When all these are still

ed, you will find something else is there; hold onto that and it will reveal itself.

Q: But when I have stilled everything, I almost fall asleep!

Maharshi:- That does not matter. Put yourself into the condition as deep as sleep, and then watch: be asleep consciously; then there is only the one Consciousness.

Sri Ramana Maharishi :-  The self is fullness of consciousness. Therefore, there is nothing apart from it. Ramana would humorously say that if god were to be separate he would be self-less. As for Sadguru his individuality is dead. It is merged in the self like waves in the sea. so, he is the Self. The guru and god are not different for their essential nature as unlimited consciousness is the same. (Page-8 – Practical Guide To Know Yourself).