Our Teaching Philosophy
We see meditation not as clearing your mind or reaching a flawless state of calm. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises— restless thoughts, a busy planning mind, or even that familiar itch that appears five minutes in.
Our team brings together decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some discovered meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few wandered into it during college and stayed. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll meet has their own way of explaining ideas. Ravi—now renamed—often uses everyday-life analogies, while Ananya draws on her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches click with different people, so you’ll likely connect more with certain teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation a lifelong vocation, each bringing a distinct perspective to the practice
Ravi Kapoor
Lead Instructor
Ravi began meditating in 1998 after burnout from his software engineering career. He studied Vipassana in Myanmar for three years and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. His strength lies in translating ancient concepts into surprisingly modern 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 habits. His sessions often include practical discussions on integrating mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Mira Desai
Philosophy Guide
Ananya combines her PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that academic understanding means little without experiential knowing. Her approach weaves scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mira has a talent for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices arose and what they’re truly meant to accomplish.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and teaching, we’ve learned that meditation works best when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or claim you’ll reach perfect peace. Instead, we focus on building skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and reduced reactivity.
Our courses begin in September 2025, giving you time to reflect on whether this approach resonates with you. We believe in taking time to make thoughtful decisions about contemplative practice—it’s not something to rush into based on momentary enthusiasm.
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 changed our lives in subtle but meaningful ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.