No, I don't actually practice mantra japa, although I have in the past. I have a high opinion of the practice. I (try to) practice Atma-Vichara - translated as Self-investigation and also known as Self-enquiry - which is what Sri Ramana Maharshi recommended most often (although he endorsed others too). But since you brought up mantra japa I wanted to point out how these practices should lead to the same state. The various techniques are not meditation on their own, but instead should lead to the state of meditation when they are followed as they are intended. So, in my opinion, there aren't two kinds of meditation. But there are countless methods to help establish one in meditation.
Sorry if I am being vague. My original intention was to point out that the Self is not an object of cognition and can't be known as it truly is by cognition (except indirectly).
i understand your point b. The use of the word 'techniques' is more appropriate. However it is more convenient to say various forms of meditation practice.... since the various forms of practice also have different techniques as u also have mentioned.
