Yep, experience is a great teacher .  I use a hydraulic bottle jack and a block under the oil pan at the rear, shimmed to distribute the weight.  Useful at trans reinstall too, helps you get a convenient angle.  Never did trust that motor mounts would take the torque, guess I'm the cautious type.
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OK, I'm not the only one that thought this might be a good idea.

This might be an odd question.  When you remove your tranny, there really is nothing to support the engine from rocking back.  Does this put unwanted stress on rubber motor mounts to the point where it makes sense to support the back of the engine with a jack stand to prevent fracturing the rubber?