Our Teaching Philosophy
We believe meditation isn’t about clearing your mind or reaching a flawless state of zen. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises—restless thoughts, a planning mindset, and even that odd itch that always shows up five minutes into sitting.
Our team combines decades of practice across varied traditions. Some of us came to meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal crisis, and a few simply drifted into 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 you’ll meet has their own way of explaining concepts. Ravi Kapoor tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Anika Rao draws from a psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches click 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
Ravi Kapoor
Lead Instructor
Ravi 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 the knack for explaining ancient ideas through 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.
Anika Rao
Philosophy Guide
Anika 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 means little without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Anika has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices developed and what they’re ultimately meant to achieve.
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 in September 2025, 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 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.