beginner questions

[music321]

i'm a beginner.

when meditating, i don't prevent ideas/images from coming into my mind. I let them flow in, and flow out. I try not to pay any attention to them. I'm trying to go deeper.

Should I be paying attention to anything? If I were to go considerably deeper, and I still didn't pay attention, would I ever gain anything?

Am I letting my mind be too passive? should I be actively trying to pursue things?

Is the growth of meditation a result of conscious effort, or of the rest of the brain/mind/soul working behind the scenes as we quiet ourselves?

I've read a few books on meditation, but don't feel that I "get it".

thanks.