Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as Clearing the mind or reaching a flawless state of zen. It’s more about learning to stay with whatever arises—from unsettled thoughts and a busy planning mind to that odd itch that shows up midway through a sit.
Our team brings together decades of practice across various traditions. Some people found meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal hardship, and a few stumbled into it during college and stayed. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical skill for everyday life, not a mystical experience.
Each guide has their own way of explaining ideas. One tutor tends to use everyday-life analogies, while another leans on psychology. We’ve found different approaches connect with different people, so you’ll likely resonate with certain teaching styles more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve dedicated their lives to meditation, each bringing a distinct viewpoint to the practice
Alex Rivera
Lead Instructor
Alex began practicing meditation in 1998 after burnout in 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 timeless concepts with surprisingly modern comparisons—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 habits. His sessions often include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Mira Kapoor
Philosophy Guide
Mira combines a PhD in Continental Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She found contemplative practice while studying ancient texts and realized that scholarly understanding is incomplete without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges academic insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mira has a gift for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without simplifying them. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices evolved 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 reach perfect peace. Instead, we focus on building skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with greater 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 transformed our lives in subtle yet meaningful ways, and we’ve witnessed the same transformation in many others.