SN 1.64 vitakka and vicara of first jhana is doing this

Though not explicitly stating 'jhana' in this particular passage (other verses from sutta passages do),
the fact that one is removing fetters, reflecting on the cause of dukkha and fetters, makes it clear this is the province of first jhana, as the result is nirvana.

It's laughable that anyone could think first jhana vitakka and vicara has a 'secret' meaning of 'placing and keeping it connected' [to a secret visual samadhi nimitta that the EBT suttas don't mention].

SN 1.64

64. Saṃyojanasutta	64. Fetter
“Kiṃsu saṃyojano loko,	“What fetters the world?
kiṃsu tassa vicāraṇaṃ;	What explores it?
Kissassu vippahānena,	With the giving up of what
nibbānaṃ iti vuccatī”ti.	is nirvana spoken of?”
“Nandīsaṃyojano loko,	“Delight fetters the world.
vitakkassa vicāraṇaṃ;	Thought explores it.
Taṇhāya vippahānena,	With the giving up of craving
nibbānaṃ iti vuccatī”ti.	nirvana is spoken of.”