A simple timer is all you need, and that's of course optional as well. It is good to provide a bit of structure to your practice, and the duration of the sit i

A simple timer is all you need, and that's of course optional as well. It is good to provide a bit of structure to your practice, and the duration of the sit is important. To get started, I think it's much better to offload that worry (have I sat long enough? etc.) to a simple timer. Then you just sit until it sounds. Directed meditation is fine, too. Try it out if you like; it's usually best to try a few approaches and learn from each.