Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as clearing the mind or attaining a flawless state of Zen. It’s about learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the busy planning mind, and even that peculiar itch that shows up a few minutes into sitting.
Our team blends decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some of us arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a number discovered it in college and never looked back. What binds 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 often uses everyday-life analogies, while Ananya draws on her psychology background. Different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more strongly with some teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Ravi Krishnamurthy
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 using surprisingly contemporary analogies—he’s compared monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and focuses on 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.
Ananya Patel
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 academic understanding is incomplete without experiential knowing. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical exploration and retreat programs. Ananya has a gift for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying. Her students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices developed 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 attain 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 thoughtfully decide about contemplative practice—it’s not something to rush into from 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 quietly transformed our lives, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.