TLDR: I’ve explored different Buddhist traditions over the years, and through that journey, I found a meditation practice that helped me grow a little more kind — toward myself and others.

This is my personal journey through meditation — not as a perfect path, but one filled with exploration, trial, and finding what truly resonates. I hope you’ll discover something here that supports your own journey, too. Feel free to take on what is useful and discard what is not.

When starting out — especially with meditation, where your inner dialogue becomes clearer — meet yourself with both wisdom and compassion.

Starting Out:

Back in primary school, I lived right across from a Chinese Mahayana temple. Every week, I joined chanting sessions of the Eighty-Eight Buddhas’ Name (八十八佛), with a huge Amitābha (Chinese:阿弥陀佛 – a Buddha revered in Mahayana Buddhism) statue watching over us in the main hall. 

Later, I got into a TV series called Master of Zen and learned about Bodhidharma. I even memorised the series OST, the Eleven-Faced Avalokitesvara Heart Dharani Sutra by writing out phonetic sounds and playing it repeatedly. This experience with chanting sparked a deeper curiosity in me, eventually leading to a strong interest in learning more about the Dhamma. 

Temples eventually became my libraries where I could borrow “comic books” explaining the dhamma – an experience that formed a significant part of my childhood.

Only during university did I encounter Tibetan Buddhism and was introduced to a rich pantheon of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, each with unique mantras and qualities. 

Looking back, I realise I was collecting seeds — each tradition offering a glimpse into something bigger than myself.

Looking inwards:

Despite being able to learn and recite the chanting, something felt missing.

I wasn’t really turning inward. 

My practice stagnated — until I met a Lama (Tibetan translation of the Sanskrit word “guru,” meaning “teacher” or “venerable one”) based in Singapore who shared with me two meditation techniques: Samatha (calm, stillness, clarity) and Vipassanā (insight, understanding the nature of reality). 

This helped me see what the Buddha taught in the Yuganaddha Sutta (AN 4.170) — that some people develop calm first, others develop insight first, and some grow both together. It was comforting to know that there’s no fixed order — you start where you are.

Making it my own :

In addition to attending meditation sessions and dhamma talks, here’s how I go about my meditation practice on my daily commute, which takes about 20 minutes:

1. I pay preliminary homage to the Triple Gems.
2. I set an intention to keep the Five Precepts.
3. I open Spotify and play a chant that resonates with me — often a mantra of a Buddha or Bodhisattva that I’m familiar with #BOTD (i.e: Buddha/Bodhisattva Of The Day)
4. I visualise their form and reflect on their qualities (like Avalokiteśvara’s compassion).
5. I give offerings (e.g: water, incense, jewels) and imagine them showering blessings on me — and everyone else in the MRT carriage that is in my line of sight.
6. I end with a dedication of merits to my karmic debtors, departed relatives, and loved ones.

The best part? It never gets boring. With so many different Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, each day feels new.

Here’s what keeps my practice joyful and grounded:

1. Borrowing the “form/相” of the Buddhas or Bodhisattvas.
2. Use sound/chanting to create stillness (mentally chant them in your mind).
3. Cultivate wholesome thoughts — for yourself and others.

Meditation doesn’t have to be rigid or mystical. Start small. Be kind to yourself. You don’t need to be perfect — just present. Let your practice be something that supports your joy, and not another task on your to-do list.

I used to wonder how kusala—wholesome mental states—were connected to Buddhist practice. But since embarking on this habit just two months ago, I’ve experienced joy just by this simple practice. 

More importantly, it has opened my heart to compassion—not only for myself, but for others as well. Even in the simplest everyday moments—like being in the train carriage—I find myself more present, more aware, and more inclined to choose kindness in my interactions throughout the day.

Wise Steps :

1. Have your routine revolve around Sīla (virtue), Dāna (generosity), and Bhāvanā (meditation).
2. Watch the mind: Be familiar with both wholesome and unwholesome mental states (Kusala & Akusala).
3. Notice the bliss: In the Cetana Sutta (AN 11.12), the Buddha said wholesome intentions can lead to joy. Once you experience that calm or clarity in meditation, pay attention to what helps you carry that into your day.
4. As my Lama often reminds us: Meditation is just simply the training of one’s mind. Always remember to apply both wisdom and compassion to your practice.