Our Teaching Philosophy
We see meditation not as clearing the mind or reaching an immaculate state of Zen. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that odd itch that tends to show up five minutes into sitting.
Our team blends decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some arrived through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few simply discovered 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 expresses ideas in their own way. Arin uses everyday-life analogies, while Mira 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 have made meditation their life's work, each bringing a unique perspective to the practice
Arin Kapoor
Lead Instructor
Arin began meditating 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. What sets him apart is his 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 weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Mira Chen
Philosophy Guide
Mira combines her PhD in Indian Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that scholarly understanding means little without lived experience. Her approach bridges academic insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mira has a talent 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 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 attain 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 this September, 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’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 changed our lives in subtle but profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.