Best Of

Meditation, esthetic or non, religious or philosophical or just reflection, takes on a myriad of forms and methods. Some require elaborate preparation - those are often of the religious types. Each step is to enable better focus or "clearing of the mind". Some are instant, set back, down or whatever and laser focus on the point, issue, item of attention. Then there is the quiet meditation, (lying, sitting, standing, walking), singing, chanting, dancing and such.
Most forms of serious meditation, religious or otherwise, at least initially,needs a Master, Teacher, Mentor, Instructor, Guide to move one into the true meditative state. Ego aside, one is encouraged to have only one such Teacher at a time as multiple master, teachers, guides could lead to conflicting means and methods, confusing the traveler. This could then result in the failure of the meditative process, leaving the would be student/acolyte in an unstable, potentially agitated or negative mindset.
all that said, remember that, in philosophy or religion, it is always the student who chooses the Teacher.
[and , of course, it helps to have friends]
Good Hunting.

Peace to all