Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as clearing the mind or attaining a flawless state of serenity. It's more like learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, even that peculiar itch that tends to show up five minutes into sitting.
Our team combines decades of practice across various traditions. Some of us came to meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal crises, and a few simply stumbled into it during college and never looked back. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical pursuit.
Each guide you'll meet has their own way of explaining concepts. Kiran tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Maya 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 Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Kiran Rao
Lead Instructor
Kiran began meditating in 1998 after burnout 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 the 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 practices. His sessions often include practical discussions about integrating mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Maya Singh
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 academic understanding means little without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Maya has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying 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 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 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 changed our lives in subtle but profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.