Yogi: When I notice a lot of thinking and the mind is not so clear, I can check the attitude and see if some defilement is feeding the restlessness, or I can focus on the thinking process which gives me the concentration not to fall into the thoughts. Are these two valid options?

Sayadaw: Because your mind understands what the object is – it knows how what is being seen as an object – that’s why you can use thoughts and develop samadhi.

In that case, you can use any object – for you, the thought is the same as the breath as an object.

Both options are fine.