I heard the Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, a famous Korean Buddhist monk, give this teaching during a meditation retreat.

"Don't try to meditate well." What does that mean? I'm no expert, just someone who's been "trying to meditate" for twenty years, and believes it's a powerful practice to cultivate well-being in all dimensions of life. So here are a few thoughts.

• Just follow the instructions. If you try to meditate well, you might end up judging your experience and yourself, instead of, ah, meditating.
  

• Like all aspects of the Buddhist Eightfold Path, meditation is about finding the Middle Way. It's a balance of relaxation and alertness. Some people will find that balance by not trying so hard.
  

• The process of meditation transforms you gradually, and it's not a linear process. So a meditation that seems to be "going poorly" might be going just as it needs to.
  

• Instructions such as these can help you give yourself an immediate taste of the peace and freedom that deepens as you practice more.

The practice of meditation is subtle, and the "right" instruction or technique changes as you progress. If you can, it's best to work with a teacher who can give you personal feedback, rather than just learning from books or videos.

Find a teacher you trust and respect! And enjoy the ride.