Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as aiming to clear your mind or reach a flawless state of calm. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that odd itch that shows up a few minutes into sitting.
Our team brings together decades of practice across different traditions. Some of us approached meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal crisis, and a few discovered it in college and never left. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical pursuit.
Each guide you’ll meet has their own way of explaining ideas. Our former instructor uses everyday-life analogies, while another guides from a psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches click 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
Arin Iyer
Lead Instructor
Arin began practicing meditation in the year 2003 after burnout from his software engineering career. He spent several years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. What distinguishes him is his talent for explaining ancient concepts through surprisingly modern analogies—he once compared the 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 on weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Mira Solanke
Philosophy Guide
Mira 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 insight means little without experiential know-how. Her approach bridges academic understanding with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mira has a talent for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplification. Students often say she helps them grasp not just how to meditate, but why these practices evolved and what they truly aim 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 you’ll attain perfect peace. Instead, we focus on building 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 changed our lives in subtle but meaningful ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.