Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t see meditation as emptying the mind or reaching some flawless state of Zen. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, even that peculiar itch that shows up five minutes into sitting.
Our team blends decades of practice across different traditions. Some arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal crisis, and a few simply wandered into it during college and never left. 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. Alex 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
Alex Kumar
Lead Instructor
Alex began meditating in 2001 after burnout from his software engineering career. He spent several years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. What distinguishes him is his knack for explaining ancient concepts with 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 integrating mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Mira Singh
Philosophy Guide
Mira 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. Mira has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying them. Her 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 teaching, we’ve learned that meditation works best when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or claim you’ll achieve 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 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.