Preparing Your Mind, Emotions, and Spirit

Openness and Curiosity: The first step is cultivating an open mind and a curious spirit. Be ready to explore new ideas, experiences, thoughts, emotions. Do not filter your explorations on any pre-conceived notion. Absorb what comes to you in the same form as it comes. 

Letting Go of Expectations: It is difficult to give up expectations when starting something new. But it is crucial to let go of any expectations what an outcome of a meditation would be. Embrace what comes to you naturally and spontaneously. 

Emotional Awareness: Learn to observe your emotions without judgement or suppression. Be aware of what emotional responses are evoked during the practice. Do not suppress them or cling to them. Let go of them like passing clouds. 

Patience: Cultivate patience and persistence while you are on the journey. It takes time to turn your attention inward. It takes time for self discovery. Trust the journey. 

Compassion: Be self-compassionate and nurture compassion towards others. Do not get overly involved in criticizing or judging others. It would cause more distractions for you. it is also normal to have thoughts or distractions during the process. Instead of judging yourself, gently bring your attention back to the present moment and continue with love and understanding. 

Authenticity and Honesty: Embrace your true nature. Allow your thoughts, emotions, and experiences to arise without filters or masks. Honesty with yourself helps to express out all your emotional burdens that may have clouded your inner self. Once you freely let go of all the elements that creates chattering and disturbances in your mind, only then you would be able to notice the stillness within you.

Preparing yourself with these mental qualities on a regular basis would create an habit for you. Eventually these mental qualities will come spontaneously to you, and you can carry them all the time. These would definitely transform your daily life. As a side effect you would gradually feel less burdened with anxious thoughts and less bounded with self and other's expectations.