Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t view meditation as simply clearing the mind or reaching a flawless state of zen. It’s more about learning to stay with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that odd itch that tends to show up a few minutes into sitting.
Our group combines decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some of us arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few discovered it during college and never looked back. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll meet explains concepts in their own way. Ravi tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Ananya draws on her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely feel a stronger connection with certain teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life's work, each offering a distinct perspective to the practice
Ravi Kumar
Lead Instructor
Ravi 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 knack for explaining ancient ideas with unexpectedly modern analogies—he once compared monkey mind to having numerous 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.
Ananya Sen
Philosophy Guide
Ananya 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 scholarly understanding means little without experiential knowledge. Her approach links scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Ananya has a gift for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying. Students often say she helps them grasp not only how to meditate, but why these practices arose and what they’re really 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’s not something to rush 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 but meaningful ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.