Our Teaching Philosophy
We see meditation not as clearing the mind or reaching a flawless state of zen. It’s more about sitting with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that odd itch that tends to appear a few minutes into practice.
Our team brings together decades of practice across different traditions. Some of us arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal challenge, and a few simply discovered it in college and stayed. What we share 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. Kai tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Mira draws from her background in psychology. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more strongly with certain teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Kai Kapoor
Lead Instructor
Kai began meditating in 1998 after burnout from a 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 knack for explaining ancient ideas through surprisingly modern analogies—he once likened 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.
Mira Patel
Philosophy Guide
Mira combines her PhD in United States Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative work while researching ancient texts and realized that scholarly understanding means little without experiential insight. Her approach bridges academic perspective with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mira has a gift for making complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices developed and what they’re 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 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 transformed our lives in subtle but profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.