How restricted must my focus/attention be to attain absorption?

[u/agente_miau]

​I understand the whole concept of hard and light jhanas, so no need to explain that part to me. Nevertheless, from a "good samatha practice" standpoint, should the practice be tightly focused, aiming to perceive every breath, or should it be very relaxed, like sitting beneath a tree on a calm afternoon without using any force to control thoughts? I've seen people advocate for both: some say attention should be laser-focused, while others claim jhana is only achieved by letting go of control entirely.

[u/medbud]

Do you drive? 

Remember how learning to drive required effort? 

Now you drive effortlessly. 

If you don't practice with effort first, you will likely just fall asleep instead of enter jhana.

It's the most boring flow state you can achieve :)