Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t view meditation as emptying the mind or attaining a flawless state of zen. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever arises – restless thoughts, a busy planning mind, and even that odd itch that shows up midway through sitting.
Our team combines decades of practice across various traditions. Some arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few discovered it in college and never turned back. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical skill for everyday life, not a mystical experience.
Each guide has their own way of explaining concepts. Arun tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Meera draws from her background in psychology. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect with certain teaching styles more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life's work, each bringing a unique perspective to the practice
Arun Mishra
Lead Instructor
Arun 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 concepts using surprisingly modern analogies – he once likened monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and specializes in helping busy professionals build sustainable meditation routines. His sessions often include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Meera Shah
Philosophy Guide
Meera 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 means little without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Meera has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without simplifying them. Her students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices developed 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 reach perfect peace. Instead, we focus on cultivating skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with more 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 decisions about contemplative practice—it isn’t 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 yet profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.