Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t see meditation as a task of clearing the mind or reaching a flawless state of zen. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless ideas, the planning brain, and yes, even that strange itch that shows up five minutes into sitting.
Our team blends decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal adversity, and a few discovered it in college and never left. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical everyday skill, not a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll meet has their own way of explaining ideas. Ravi tends to use real‑life analogies, while Anya draws from her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more with certain styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life’s work, each bringing a distinct perspective to the practice
Ravi Kumar
Lead Instructor
Ravi began meditating in 1998 after burnout from his software engineering career. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. What sets him apart is his knack for explaining ancient ideas through surprisingly contemporary analogies—he once compared monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and specializes in helping busy professionals cultivate sustainable meditation practices. His sessions often include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Anya Patel
Philosophy Guide
Anya blends her PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative study while researching ancient texts and realized that scholarly understanding means little without lived experience. Her approach merges academic insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Anya has a gift for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. Students often say she helps them grasp not just how to meditate, but why these practices developed and what they’re truly meant to accomplish.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and guidance, we’ve learned that meditation works best when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or claim you’ll reach perfect serenity. Instead, we focus on building skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses begin in September 2025, giving you time to reflect on whether this approach resonates with you. We believe in taking a thoughtful pause before diving into contemplative practice—it's not something to rush based on fleeting excitement.
If you’re curious about learning meditation as a practical life skill rather than a spiritual pursuit, we’d be honored to guide your exploration. The practice has subtly but profoundly transformed our lives, and we’ve witnessed the same for many others.