You repent because you realize that these mental states result from your strong attachment to self. Of course, you must use your self-centeredness to repent, but afterward, the degree of your self-centeredness should lessen. If the situation allows, it is best to repent in front of a Buddha statue. While bowing or prostrating, you should reflect on the things you thought or said or did that were wrong. When you become aware of your wrongdoings, acknowledge your errors and vow not to repeat that behavior. Likewise, whenever something good happens or someone is kind to you, make a conscious effort to feel grateful.

In the temple in Taiwan, I tell my students to use two sentences in their daily lives. Whenever they meet or receive help from anyone, they should say, "Amitabha Buddha, thank you." They are not directing their thanks to Amitabha Buddha. Their thanks are directed to the person who helped them, but because their practice is to recite the name of Amitabha Buddha. For others, saying thank you is enough.

The second sentence, spoken when aware of a wrong action, is, "I'm sorry." To say thank you is gratitude and to say I'm sorry is repentance. If people can truly hold these two attitudes in their minds and act on them, then they will have little vexation. If you can do this with genuine concern for sentient beings, then compassion will arise.

To summarize: Be mindful of the welfare of sentient beings. Remind yourself not to be self-centered; repent wrong actions; and feel grateful to others. What I have described, is, in fact, daily practice. If you consistently strive to hold these ideas in you and incorporate them into daily life, you are doing daily practice. At the same time, it is important to continue to meditate so as to be more aware of your mental state. If you are scattered and lacking the discipline to be self aware, you will not see negative feelings arising. With meditation as an underlying discipline, you will be more mindful of your actions, intentions, feelings, moods and thoughts.