Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation as more than clearing the mind or reaching a flawless state of calm. It’s about learning to sit with whatever arises—including unsettled thoughts, a busy planning mind, and that odd itch that tends to show up a few minutes into practice.
Our team combines decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some of us arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal challenges, and a few while in college who never left. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide brings their own method of explaining concepts. Priya tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Priya’s colleague draws from a 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’ve made meditation their life's work, each bringing a distinct perspective to the practice
Alex Kumar
Lead Instructor
Alex 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 distinguishes him is his gift for explaining ancient concepts with surprisingly modern analogies—he once compared 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 integrating mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Priya Nair
Philosophy Guide
Priya combines her PhD in United Kingdom 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 knowledge. Her approach bridges academic insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Priya has a talent for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. Students often say she helps them grasp not only how to meditate, but why these practices emerged and what they’re truly 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 achieve perfect serenity. 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 the time to make thoughtful choices 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, lasting ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.