Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t view meditation as erasing thoughts or reaching a flawless state of calm. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless mind, the planning tendency, and even that persistent itch that crops up five minutes into sitting.
Our team blends decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some of us came to meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few discovered it during college and never left. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide has their own way of explaining ideas. Arin tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Maya draws on her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more with certain 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 1998 after burnout from a software career. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. What sets him apart is his talent for explaining ancient concepts with surprisingly contemporary analogies—he once likened the 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 about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Maya Chen
Philosophy Guide
Maya 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 scholarly understanding means little without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges academic insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Maya has a talent for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying. Students often say she helps them grasp 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 achieve perfect peace. 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 2026, 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 isn’t 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.