Our Teaching Philosophy
We don't see meditation as about clearing the mind or reaching some flawless Zen state. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever arises – the restless thoughts, the anticipatory mind, even that odd itch that shows up five minutes into sitting.
Our team brings together decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some of us found meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few simply 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 concepts. Arin Kapoor tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Mira Desai draws from her background in psychology. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more with certain teaching styles.
Your Mindfulness Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Arin Kapoor
Senior Instructor
Arin began practicing meditation in 1998 after burning out from a 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 ability to explain ancient concepts using 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 about integrating mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
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 gift for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without simplifying them. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices developed and what they’re truly meant to accomplish.
Why Our Approach Works
After years of practice and teaching, we’ve learned that meditation is most effective 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 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 subtly yet profoundly changed our lives, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.