Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as a way to empty the mind or reach a flawless state of calm. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning impulses, even that peculiar itch that pops up five minutes into sitting.
Our team brings together decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some came to meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal hardship, and a few found it during college and never left. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical skill for everyday life, rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll encounter has a distinct way of explaining concepts. Alex tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Priya draws from her psychology background. We’ve learned that different approaches connect with different people, so you’ll likely feel drawn to certain teaching styles more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life’s work, each bringing a distinct perspective to the practice
Alex Kumar
Lead Instructor
Alex began meditating in 1998 after a burnout in the software industry. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. His strength lies in translating ancient concepts into relatable, modern examples—he once compared the 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 weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Priya Sharma
Philosophy Guide
Priya combines her PhD in United States Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that academic understanding is incomplete without experiential knowledge. Her approach blends scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Priya has a gift for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices emerged and what they’re truly intended to achieve.
Why We Teach This Way
Through years of practice and teaching, we’ve found 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 to navigate life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses begin in September 2025, giving you time to consider whether this approach resonates with you. We believe in taking a thoughtful pace when deciding about contemplative practice—it’s not something to rush in on a momentary spark.
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 but profoundly transformed our lives, and we’ve witnessed the same for many others.