Vipassana meditation is a delicate psychological activity. The mental set of the practitioner is crucial to its success. The technique works best in an atmosphere of calm, benevolent confidence. Keep this in mind.
Calm requires concentration. For example, we chant before evening classes begin. On one hand, it will guide you into a good mental state, to generate Bodhicitta, to purify, and to pacify your mind. On the other hand, it will lead you into an atmosphere of benevolent confidence, where your learning will be effective. Meditation is a solitary activity. Meditation is a tough job. Since it’s tough, it needs practice. Meditation takes energy. You need courage to confront some pretty difficult mental phenomena (you need to confront them), and the determination to sit through various unpleasant mental states. Laziness just will not serve. Those who are lazy or timid won’t succeed. During meditation, there are two things to do: first, practice concentration; second, on the basis of concentration, practice mindfulness.