Our Teaching Philosophy
We believe meditation isn't about emptying your mind or reaching some flawless state of zen. 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 five minutes into sitting.
Our group blends decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some came to meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal crises, and a few simply encountered it during college and stayed. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll meet has their own way of explaining ideas. Rian tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Anya draws from her psychology background. 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 a unique perspective to the practice
Rian Kapoor
Lead Instructor
Rian began practicing meditation in 1998 after burnout from his 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 likened 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 frequently include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Anya Gupta
Philosophy Guide
Anya combines her PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that scholarly understanding means little without lived experience. Her approach bridges academic insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Anya 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 accomplish.
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 that you’ll reach perfect peace. Instead, we focus on developing 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 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 transformed our lives in subtle yet meaningful ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.