Our Teaching Philosophy
We believe meditation isn't about emptying your mind or reaching a flawless state of zen. It's more about learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mindset, even that odd itch that shows up five minutes into practice.
Our team brings together decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some of us arrived at 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 life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll meet explains concepts in their own way. Arin tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Leela draws from her background in psychology. 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 devoted their lives to meditation, each offering a distinct perspective to the practice
Arin Kapoor
Senior Instructor
Arin began his meditation journey 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 establish sustainable meditation practices. His sessions often include practical discussions about integrating mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Leela Desai
Philosophy Guide
Leela combines her PhD in United States Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative study while examining ancient texts and realized that scholarly understanding means little without experiential insight. Her approach bridges scholarly inquiry with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Leela has a knack for making intricate philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. Her students often say she helps them grasp not just how to meditate, but why these practices emerged 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 achieve perfect serenity. Instead, we focus on developing skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses commence 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 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 subtly and profoundly transformed our lives, and we’ve witnessed it do the same for many others.