There are correct ways and incorrect ways to do almost anything, including meditation. There are certain simple skills and techniques we can learn, that work and over time,  tend to consistently lead to beautiful, inspiring results when practised with patience and precision. On the other hand,  it is also quite possible to spend a lot of time and effort spinning our wheels without getting anywhere.  How to learn the skills that will assure a steady progress in meditation?

If we were to sit down in front of a beautiful grand piano for the very first time,  it is unlikely that we would expect to see our fingers flowing across the keys,  effortlessly producing a stream of melodious music on our very first try.  Even if we spread out the sheet music, with all of the notes  for a Beethoven concerto before us, would it help us?  Most probably, the crowds of notes, jumbling on so many neat horizontal lines like stacks of golf clubs would overwhelm us in its complexity.  To attain the ability to play the concerto, we would need the help of a teacher – someone who already knows how to play, and who can start with simple exercises to build up our strength, dexterity and ability to read music.  As we progress, and gradually become proficient in the basic techniques, slowly we learn to go beyond dry technique and truly achieve artistic mastery and self expression.  Then again, receiving expert guidance from an advanced pianist who already knows how to delve deep into the music, fully engaging her whole body and spirit will accelerate our own progress and abilities more than if we practice only on our own.