Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t see meditation as emptying the mind or attaining a flawless state of serenity. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that peculiar itch that shows up five minutes into practice.
Our team spans decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some came to meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few simply stumbled into it during college and stayed. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill, not a mystical experience.
Each guide brings their own way of explaining ideas. Arun tends to use everyday life analogies, while Sofia 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 bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Arun Nair
Lead Instructor
Arun began his meditation journey in the late 1990s after burnout in the tech field. He spent several years studying Vipassana abroad and later trained in Zen meditation. His strength lies in explaining ancient ideas through surprisingly contemporary analogies—he once compared the restless mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and focuses on helping busy professionals build sustainable mindfulness practices. His sessions often include practical discussions on weaving awareness into work life and managing stress without bypassing reality.
Sofia Rao
Philosophy Guide
Sofia combines her PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative work while researching ancient texts and realized that theoretical understanding means little without experiential knowing. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Sofia has a gift for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. 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 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 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 meaningful ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.