Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as clearing the mind or reaching some flawless state of serenity. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that peculiar itch that tends to show up five minutes into sitting.
Our team combines decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some of us found meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal crisis, and a few simply wandered into it in college and never left. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical skill for everyday life, rather than a mysterious experience.
Each guide brings their own way of explaining ideas. Alex Chen tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Priya Kapoor draws from her psychology background. We’ve discovered that different approaches click with different people, so you’ll likely connect more with some teaching styles than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Alex Chen
Lead Instructor
Alex 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 find sustainable meditation practices. His sessions often include practical discussions about integrating mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Priya Kapoor
Philosophy Guide
Priya combines her PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that academic understanding meant little without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Priya has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without talking them down. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices evolved and what they’re truly meant to accomplish.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and instruction, we’ve learned that meditation works best when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or claim you’ll reach perfect serenity. 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 thoughtful steps when deciding about contemplative practice—it isn’t something to rush into based on momentary excitement.
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.