Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t view meditation as clearing the mind or reaching a flawless state of calm. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever arises—the busy thoughts, the planning mind, and even that odd itch that crops up a few minutes into sitting.
Our team brings together decades of practice from diverse traditions. Some arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal challenges, and a few discovered it in college and stayed. What we share 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. Arin Kapoor tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Mira Desai draws from a psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more strongly with particular teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life's work, each bringing a unique perspective to the practice
Arin Kapoor
Lead Instructor
Arin began meditating in the late 1990s after burnout in his software engineering career. He studied Vipassana in Myanmar for three years and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. He stands out for explaining ancient ideas with surprisingly modern analogies—like comparing the monkey mind to having a dozen browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational programs and helps busy professionals integrate mindfulness into daily life, focusing on managing stress without spiritual bypass.
Mira Desai
Philosophy Guide
Mira 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 knowledge. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mira has a knack for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying. 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 more 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 the 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 profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.