According to the advice of the past gurus, it is important to start out by listening to teachings and contemplating them.
In fact, these two practices were taught as the method for making progress in one's practice of meditation.
To support your practice of meditation, you should take to heart the pith instructions of the gurus and authentic lineage masters, and receive empowerment, transmission, and instructions. In particular, it is said that maintaining devotion, faith, and pure vision with respect to the gurus and three jewels is like the head of meditation practice. Next, by means of mindfulness, awareness, and conscientiousness, you should neither hold onto the past nor anticipate the future, and maintain the present awareness authentically and naturally. You should keep your mind in balanced concentration, neither too tight nor too loose, like a brahmin's thread, and remain without the thoughts of rejecting or accomplishing. Finally, as stated by Bengar Jampal Zangpo, freedom from attachment to the eight worldly dharmas is like the feet of meditation.
If you practice to the best of your abilities according to these instructions, you will definitely make this and future lives immensely meaningful.