Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t view meditation as emptying the mind or reaching some perfect state of calm. It’s more about learning to stay with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning impulses, even that persistent itch that shows up midway through sitting.
Our team blends decades of practice across varied traditions. Some arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal hardship, and a few stumbled into it during college and never looked back. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical skill for everyday life, not a mystical experience.
Each guide brings their own voice to the material. Rahul Iyer tends to use everyday analogies, while Mira Shah draws on her background in psychology. 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 offering a distinct perspective on the practice
Rahul Iyer
Lead Instructor
Rahul began meditating in 1998 after burnout in his software engineering career. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen practice in Japan. What sets him apart is his knack for explaining ancient ideas with surprisingly modern comparisons—he once likened the monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and specializes in helping busy professionals cultivate sustainable meditation habits. His sessions often include practical discussions on weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Mira Shah
Philosophy Guide
Mira combines her PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative study while reviewing ancient texts and realized that academic knowledge means little without lived experience. Her approach braids scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mira has a talent for rendering intricate philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices emerged and what they aim to accomplish.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and teaching, we've learned that meditation yields the best results when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or claim you’ll reach perfect serenity. Instead, we focus on building usable skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses begin in September 2026, giving you time to reflect on whether this approach resonates. We believe in taking a thoughtful pace when adopting contemplative practice—it isn’t something to rush 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 subtly but profoundly transformed our own lives, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.