Our Teaching Philosophy
We see meditation not as a task of emptying the mind or reaching a flawless state of calm. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, even that odd itch that tends to show up a few minutes into sitting.
Our team combines decades of practice across various traditions. Some of us discovered meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few just stumbled upon 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 brings their own way of explaining ideas. Jai Kumar tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Meera Kapoor draws from her psychology background. 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 unique perspectives to the practice
Jai Kumar
Lead Instructor
Jai began practicing meditation 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 through 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 cultivate sustainable meditation practices. His sessions often include practical discussions about integrating mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Meera Kapoor
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 is meaningless without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Meera has a talent for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying 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 building skills to help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and lower 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 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 but profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.