Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t view meditation as simply clearing the mind or reaching a flawless state of calm. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises—restless thoughts, a planning mindset, and even that odd itch that shows up a few minutes into practice.
Our team brings together decades of practice across various traditions. Some arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal hardship, and a few stumbled into it in college and stayed. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical skill for everyday life, not a mystical experience.
Each guide has their own way of explaining ideas. Arav Kapoor tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Mira Desai draws on her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’re likely to connect with certain teaching styles more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Arav Kapoor
Lead Instructor
Arav began practicing meditation in 1998 after leaving a software engineering career behind. 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 ideas through surprisingly contemporary analogies—he once likened the restless mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and specializes in helping busy professionals cultivate sustainable mindfulness habits. His sessions often include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Mira Desai
Philosophy Guide
Mira combines a PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative work while researching ancient texts and realized that academic insight means little without lived experience. Her approach links scholarly understanding with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mira has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying them. Students often say she helps them grasp not only how to meditate, but why these practices emerged and what they’re ultimately intended 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 thoughtful time to decide about contemplative practice—not rushing in on the strength of 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 meaningful ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.