You should prepare for meditation just as you would for other activities, by thinking and planning beforehand.

The Six Points Preparation consist of:

• motivation,
• goals,
• expectations,
• diligence,
• distractions,
• posture.

[adapted from the original text]

1. remind yourself why you’ve chosen to meditate; having a clear sense of purpose will help

2. choose a goal for this sit that’s reasonable given your recent progress

3. resolve to hold the goals you’ve set very lightly, to find enjoyment in every meditation no matter what happens, and to savor any achievement Make your effort diligent, yet joyful; always remember, there is no such thing as a “bad” meditation.

4. you will be tempted to think about things that are more interesting or “important” than the meditation object—problems to be solved, projects to plan, and fantasies to entertain. So commit not to indulge in these tempting distractions. Remind yourself that, whenever resistance arises, the best way to overcome it is by simply continuing to practice.

5. before beginning to metidate, perform a quick inventory of the things in your life that could come up as distractions. Check to see if your mind is occupied by any worries about the future, regrets about the past, doubts, or other annoyances. Acknowledge these thoughts and emotions, and resolve to set them aside if they arise; just setting the intention will make them easier to handle.

6. Before you begin, review your posture and get comfortable. Here’s a checklist:

• Adjust any supports you use to help you sit comfortably.
• Your head, neck, and back should be aligned, leaning neither forward nor backward, nor to the side.
• Your shoulders should be even and your hands level with each other so your muscles are balanced.
• Your lips should be closed, your teeth slightly apart, and your tongue against the roof of your mouth, with the tip against the back of your upper teeth.
• Start with your eyes closed and angled slightly downward, as though you were reading a book. This creates the least tension in your forehead and face. If you prefer, leave your eyes slightly open, with your gaze directed at the floor in front of you. Your eyes will move during meditation, but when you notice they’ve shifted, return them to where they were.