My Journey with Meditation
Hi, I’m Christine, and this is my journey, how I started meditating to why I now teach others.
Meditation has been part of my life since childhood. Although I was born in Honolulu, my father’s career took our family to Seoul, where my Buddhist mother ensured we had a spiritual foundation.
While I spoke some Korean, English was my primary language. This meant that when the South Korean monks taught lessons, I often understood only fragments. However, when it came to bowing, chanting, and meditation, I could easily follow along, these practices transcended language.
A Buddhist practice shaped by global perspectives
In the late 1980s, the International Buddhist Center was established in Seoul, and my mother enrolled my younger sister and I there. This was such a relief for me in many ways. The handful of other children who attended were also of South Korean heritage but had lived in places like England and India. Our international experiences allowed us to relate to each other and Buddhist practices, such as silent seated meditation, became our common ground.
The monks at the International Buddhist Center not only spoke excellent English but also came from diverse backgrounds—Canada, Switzerland, and Sri Lanka to name a few. From a young age, I absorbed Buddhist philosophy through a global lens, and was taught to value diversity and how to apply the teachings into life’s many expressions. The practice of silent meditation taught us to first observe our thoughts, then to steady our focus on our breath, and ultimately to view the world with mindful awareness. It sharpened our ability to perceive life with clarity, helping us move through the world with greater consciousness of our actions and their effects.
One of the influential monks in my journey was late Master Won Myoung Sunim. He lead the International Buddhist Center in Seoul and also founded the Lotus Lantern International Meditation Center on Ganghwa-do Island. Only later did I realize the impact he had on expanding Korean Buddhism globally, fueled by his vision of inviting monks from around the world to immerse themselves in South Korea’s Buddhist traditions.
As children, we were among the first to experience his (then) new temple on Ganghwa-do Island. We meditated in brand new meditation rooms and ate meals prepared with fresh ingredients from the temple garden. To this day, these memories bring me a sense of peace and gratitude. The Lotus Latern International Meditation Center has now grown in recognition and is the go-to place for foreigners interested in Korean meditation practices.
Photo courtesy: Lotus Lantern International Meditation Center
Contrast of meditation in the East and West
After graduating from high school in 1999, I attended Florida State University before transferring to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, an art and design school. My college years revealed the contrast between life in the East and the West. It was interesting to see how the same teachings took on different meanings in the West compared to the East.
In the East, Buddhism was an inherent way of life, and cultural identity shaped over centuries of history. In the West, it was often approached as a "new" concept to study or a tool for self-improvement. These differences intrigued me and deepened my appreciation for my own practice.
Another contrast I noticed was that leaders in the wellness space often shared insights from meditation that were realized in adulthood, after the brain had fully developed. Since my own meditation practice began during the developmental years of my brain, body, and identity, I found much of the meditation material difficult to relate to.
In my 20s, I had the opportunity to travel and live in different countries. An experience that further shaped my meditation practice was when I lived in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I initially attended a three-week silent meditation retreat at Doi Suthep, but when the retreat ended, I stayed in Chiang Mai for another six months. I fell in love with the city's vibe, made amazing friends, and, of course, enjoyed the incredible food.
In Chiang Mai, I witnessed how meditation could become a form of escapism. I never imagined meditation could be overindulged, but I watched as some retreat-goers bounced from one retreat to the next. They sought to remain in the bliss of meditation, avoiding the grounding and integration needed to bring their practice into daily life.
Returning home to meditation
As I grew into who I am today, my attachment to Buddhism as a religion itself lifted, but my meditation practice remained. Meditation became my familiar constant, helping me stay connected to myself through life’s transitions.
In 2010, I returned home to Hawai‘i. It was not only my birthplace, but I loved how nature, tradition, and spirituality were seamlessly integrated into everyday life. Shortly after moving back, I became haumana (a member) of Hālau Hula Ka No‘eau, which grounded me in Hawaiian cultural practices and anchored my connection back to Hawai‘i.
I continue my meditation practice because of its incredible benefits, one of the most meaningful being the deep sense of spiritual connection it provides. The inner strength I’ve developed has allowed me to explore and integrate different spiritual traditions, including my role as a cultural practitioner in the Native Hawaiian arts.
Meditation has also been a source of comfort and clarity, especially during times of loss. It has taught me to trust my inner voice, stay present, and move through life with gratitude. Because of meditation, I live a healthier, more joyful life—and for that, I am profoundly thankful.
Finally, my meditation practice has helped my career. I’ve been able to excel as a team leader, senior strategist, project manager, and client engagement professional. As responsibilities grow with career advancement, the need to release stress and remain balanced becomes essential. Through meditation, I developed skills such as observation, neutrality, discernment, and compassion, skills that have directly supported my ability to navigate the workplace and lead by example. These same qualities have also enhanced my effectiveness as a workshop facilitator, allowing me to read the room, maintain harmony, and guide stakeholders toward constructive solutions despite differing perspectives.
Photo courtesy: Ahonui Productions
Why I teach meditation today
Over the years, I’ve seen how many people struggle to integrate meditation into daily life. Some chase retreats but fail to bring mindfulness home. Others rely on guided sessions without developing their own practice. My goal is to bridge that gap, to make meditation approachable, accessible, and sustainable.
Maintaining a meditation practice at home can often feel lonely, repetitive, or dull. Without a sense of connection, it’s easy to fall out of practice. This is where group meditation plays a vital role. Practicing in a shared, supportive space creates accountability, encourages consistency, and transforms meditation into something enjoyable rather than a solitary task.
Silent meditation isn’t just about discipline. It’s about self-awareness, resilience, and learning to sit with yourself, exactly as you are. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to deepen your practice, I would love to join you on this journey.