Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as clearing the mind or attaining a flawless zen state. It's more like learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that odd itch that tends to show up a few minutes into practice.
Our group spans decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some discovered meditation through scholarly philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few wandered into it during college and stayed. What unites us is a commitment to presenting meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical pursuit.
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 click with different people, so you’ll likely connect more strongly with certain teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Arun Kalyan
Lead Instructor
Arun began practicing meditation in 1998 after burnout from a 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 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 weaving mindfulness into work life and handling stress without spiritual bypassing.
Meera Joshi
Philosophy Guide
Meera holds a PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy and has fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She found contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that academic understanding matters only when it is lived. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Meera excels at making complex philosophical ideas approachable without oversimplifying them. Students often say she helps them grasp not just how to meditate, but why these practices evolved and what they aim 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 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 time to make thoughtful decisions about contemplative practice—it’s not 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.