me personally i attempt to center myself prior even a few days or more , and essentially just simplify everything my thoughts my words my actions. And, really just center all my energy i know that sounds kinda cheezy and "new agey" but its really not meant to. another thing to mull over in your mind prior is a readiness to "let go " be prepared to just let go of everything , not so much about pain but more or less just bad vibes , your body has a checmical reaction to take care of the pain , but what makes the difference between a bad experience and a good one is your own ability to let go of anything negative fear , paranoia , anxiety stress ect ect ect , if you hold on to all that you become very aware that there are hooks in your flesh and it becomes not about freedom but about pain and trauma , which is never good . if however you let it all go and just accept .. might not make much sense but just accepting the hooks as a part of yourself .. for me anyway allows me to sort of separate the "self" from the flesh creating a very free out of body experience in which the hooks aren't really even there ....... i hope that makes sense , im multi tasking at the moment so i apologize if its wrecked with ADD . best wishes