Our Teaching Philosophy
Meditation isn’t about clearing your mind or attaining a flawless state of zen. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever shows up—restless thoughts, a busy planning mind, and even that odd itch that always comes up a few minutes into sitting.
Our team spans decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few simply found it in 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. Arun tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Anaya draws from 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 unique perspectives to the practice
Arun Iyer
Lead Instructor
Arun began practicing meditation in 1998 after burnout from his software engineering career. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. His strength lies in explaining ancient ideas through fresh, relatable examples—he once compared the monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and focuses on 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.
Anaya Kapoor
Philosophy Guide
Anaya holds a PhD in United States Philosophy and brings fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative study while researching ancient texts and realized that scholarly understanding means little without experiential insight. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Anaya has a talent for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices emerged and what they’re truly meant to achieve.
Why We Teach It This Way
After many years of practice and teaching, we’ve found 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 meet life’s inevitable challenges with more 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 time to make thoughtful decisions about contemplative practice—it isn’t something to rush based on fleeting 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.