In this energizing conversation, Meng — Google’s former “Jolly Good Fellow” and co-founder of buddhism.net — breaks down how Buddhist practice can boost happiness, success, and emotional resilience. From the “minimum effective dose” of meditation to the surprising technique of “suffer later,” Meng shares practical tools anyone can use to feel calmer, think clearer, and live wiser — without needing hours of practice a day.
✨ Key Takeaways:
🧘 Meditation Makes Life Better – Even small, consistent practice creates clarity, calm, and emotional strength
💛 Kindness = Real Power – Why compassion makes you more likeable, more effective, and a better leader
⚡ Tiny Tools, Big Impact – Quick practices like 6-second meditation, “suffer later,” and micro-Metta can transform your day
#MindfulLiving #BuddhistWisdom #EmotionalResilience #LeadershipSkills #MeditationTools
About the Speaker:
👤 Chade-Meng Tan (Meng) is an award-winning engineer, international bestselling author, movie producer and philanthropist.
Meng led the creation of the groundbreaking mindfulness-based emotional intelligence course at Google called Search Inside Yourself. He retired from Google as its Jolly Good Fellow at the age of 45 but is far from retired in his pursuit to spread peace, kindness, and mindfulness around the world.
He is Co-chair of One Billion Acts of Peace, which has been nominated by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and seven others for the Nobel Peace Prize. He was also Executive Producer of the movie Walk With Me, and Adjunct Professor at the National University of Singapore.
Meng delivered a TED talk on compassion at the United Nations, spoke about the development of kindness at the White House, and led mindfulness practice at the Vatican. The Dalai Lama gave him a hug for his 40th birthday. President Carter once gave him a standing ovation.
He jokes that he is a Buddhist “on most weekdays, especially Mondays.” His personal motto is, “Life is too important to be taken seriously”.
📄 Transcript: https://bit.ly/hol-ep-64
⏱Timestamps:
(00:00) – Are you happier? Meng’s unexpected opening question
(00:23) – Meng’s background: Google, Buddhism.net & his mission
(01:38) – Why young people postpone Buddhism (and why it’s a mistake)
(02:39) – Early practice = lifelong benefit (fitness & investing analogy)
(03:45) – How meditation improves success at work & relationships
(05:47) – Leading with kindness: why people help those they like
(07:16) – Leadership under pressure + Meng’s lesson from IBM’s CEO
(10:00) – “Suffer later”: Meng’s surprisingly effective stress technique
(11:40) – Two parts of Buddhism: transformation & transcendence
(13:22) – 6-second meditation experiment (Cheryl tries it)
(16:17) – Minimum effective dose: only 100 minutes needed
(17:59) – 3 simple practices: Breath, Metta, Waiting-awareness
Resources:
Links to the ‘Buddhism for All’ series -
Website: Buddhism.net
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buddhism_dot_net/
Special thanks to our sponsors:
Buddhist Youth Network, Lim Soon Kiat, Alvin Chan, Tan Key Seng, Soh Hwee Hoon, Geraldine Tay, Venerable You Guang, Wilson Ng, Diga, Joyce, Tan Jia Yee, Joanne, Suñña, Shuo Mei, Arif, Bernice, Wee Teck, Andrew Yam, Kan Rong Hui, Wei Li Quek, Shirley Shen, Ezra, Joanne Chan, Hsien Li Siaw, Gillian Ang, Wang Shiow Mei, Ong Chye Chye, Melvin, Yoke Kuen, Nai Kai Lee, Amelia Toh, Hannah Law, Shin Hui Chong, Dennis Lee, Kayliam, Darren
🙏 Sponsor us: https://handfulofleaves.life/support/
🎬 Editor: Brian (Pasadhi), Cheryl Cheah, Tan Si Jing
✍️ Transcribers: Cheryl Cheah, Tan Si Jing, Bernice Bay
🎨 Visuals & Sound: Anton Thorne, Tan Pei Shan, Ang You Shan
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