Our Teaching Philosophy
We see meditation not as clearing the mind or attaining a flawless zen state. It’s about learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, even that odd itch that arrives a few minutes into sitting.
Our team blends decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some of us came to meditation through academic philosophy, others via personal crises, and a few stumbled upon it in college and stayed. What binds us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide you meet explains ideas in their own way. R. Kapoor tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Anika Shah draws on her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more with some teaching styles than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life’s work, each bringing a unique perspective to the practice
R. Kapoor
Lead Instructor
R. Kapoor began meditating after burnout from his software engineering career. He spent years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. What sets him apart is his talent 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 sustain meditation practices. His sessions often include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Anika Shah
Philosophy Guide
Anika combines her PhD in United States 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. Anika has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts 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 really 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 more awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses begin in September 2026, giving you time to reflect on whether this approach resonates with you. We believe in taking thoughtful time to decide 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.