Our Teaching Philosophy
We see meditation not as emptying the mind or reaching a perfect state of calm. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises—the racing thoughts, the planning mind, even that odd itch that shows up after a few minutes.
Decades of practice across various traditions inform our approach. Some of us came to meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal crisis, and a few simply stumbled 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 brings a distinct way of explaining concepts. Ravi tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Ananya draws from her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more with certain teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life’s work, each bringing a unique perspective to the practice
Ravi Krishnamurthy
Head Instructor
Ravi began practicing meditation in 1998 following burnout in his software engineering career. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen in Japan. He stands out for translating age-old ideas into surprisingly contemporary analogies—he once likened the monkey mind to having an overload of browser tabs.
He leads our foundational courses and helps busy professionals establish sustainable meditation habits. His sessions frequently include practical discussions on weaving mindfulness into daily work life and handling stress without bypassing reality.
Ananya Patel
Philosophy Guide
Ananya blends her PhD in United States Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that scholarly understanding meant nothing without experiential knowledge. Her approach fuses academic insight with real-world application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Ananya has a talent for presenting complex philosophical ideas in an accessible way, without oversimplifying. Her students often say she helps them understand not only how to meditate but why these practices arose and what they are truly intended to achieve.
Why We Teach This Way
Through years of practice and teaching, we've learned meditation is most effective when made clear and accessible. We don’t promise enlightenment or perfect tranquility. Instead, we focus on cultivating skills to help you meet life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and reduced reactivity.
Our courses start in September 2026, giving you time to reflect on whether this approach resonates with you. We believe in taking time to thoughtfully decide about contemplative practice—not something to rush into on the spur of the moment.
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 but profoundly transformed our lives, and we’ve witnessed the same for many others.