This is a very good question, mindset is very important...
1) Your first person subjective experience of reality is the gold standard for reality within meditation.
In intellectual analysis he time we are used to taking the 1st person view for granted or looking at it like some fuzzy emotional stuff. While focusing on abstract 3rd person points of view.
However the reality of the situation is that our 3rd person obejctive perspective still depends on the 1st person perspective. So in meditaiton, spiritual Truth etc, it is best to focus on 1st person direct sensory experience of what is happening right now.
2) Realization is experiential, but it helps to get some intellectual understanding. Then actually look into at what part of your 1st person subjective exerperience doesn't match up and why.
3) Different practices will appeal to you and be effective at different stages in the process. Don't be too afraid to experiment in the medium - long term.
4) Don't hold to tightly to your view of reality. Your job is to deconstruct them. Not for the sake of deconstruction, but to reduce clinging and attachment (deconstruction is just a tool).
5) This forum is not just for advanced practitioners. Don't be afraid to move fast, and post things that may be stupid. Someone will correct you and you will learn. Or if you are right you can get some more confidence from the feedback.
These would be my principles. But you need to figure out what works best for you. All the best.