Our Teaching Philosophy
We believe meditation isn’t about clearing your mind or reaching some flawless zen state. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises—for example, the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that peculiar itch that appears five minutes into sitting.
Our team merges decades of practice across traditions. Some of us arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal crises, and a few found it during college and stayed. What we share is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll meet explains concepts in their own way. Raj tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Maya draws from her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches click 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
Raj Rathore
Lead Instructor
Raj began meditating 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 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 weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Maya Kapoor
Philosophy Guide
Maya blends her PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative work while researching ancient texts and realized that academic understanding means little without experiential knowing. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Maya has a gift for making intricate philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying them. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices emerged 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 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 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 transformed our lives in subtle but meaningful ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.