Our Teaching Philosophy
We see meditation not as clearing the mind or reaching a flawless state of calm. It’s about learning to sit with whatever arises—the unsettled thoughts, the planning mindset, even that odd itch that appears a few minutes into practice.
Our group combines decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some of us arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheavals, and a few simply found 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 has their own way of conveying ideas. Jay tends to use everyday analogies, while Priya draws on her background in psychology. We’ve found that different approaches click with different people, so you’ll likely connect with certain teaching styles more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation a lifelong pursuit, each bringing a distinct perspective to the practice
Arjun Rao
Lead Instructor
Arjun began his meditation journey in 1998 after leaving a career in software development burnt out. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen practice in Japan. He has a knack for making ancient concepts feel accessible through modern analogies—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 conversations about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypass.
Maya Iyer
Philosophy Guide
Maya combines a PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative work while examining ancient texts and realized that academic insight means little without lived experience. Her approach bridges scholarly understanding with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Maya has a talent for rendering complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. Students often say she helps them grasp not only how to meditate, but why these practices originated and what they aim 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 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's not 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 touched our lives in subtle but meaningful ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.