All the sadhanas including those through nine steps of devotion are only to quieten the mind and not for the realization of self. The only sadhana needed for this is to eradicate the Anatma . In fact Anatma is also a reflection of the Atma . When you switch off light, darkness sets in. It is not the coming and going of light.
Darkness is absence of light.
So also, absence of awareness is anatma . It is an illusion or Brama . People do meditation, bhajan etc. It is only for mental satisfaction. Actually, the one who meditates, the act of meditation and the object are all one.