Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as a way to empty the mind or attain a flawless state of zen. It’s more about learning to stay with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that peculiar itch that shows up a few minutes into practice.
Our team brings together decades of experience across diverse traditions. Some arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal challenges, and a few discovered it in college and never looked back. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical pursuit.
Each guide has their own way of explaining ideas. Kiran tends to use everyday life analogies, while Mira draws on her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect with some teaching styles more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life's work, each bringing a unique perspective to the practice
Kiran Joshi
Lead Instructor
Kiran began practicing in 1998 after burnout from a software career. He studied Vipassana in Myanmar for three years and later trained in Zen in Japan. What distinguishes him is the knack for explaining ancient ideas using relatable, modern analogies—he once compared the monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and focuses on helping busy professionals cultivate sustainable meditation habits. His sessions often include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Mira Patel
Philosophy Guide
Mira combines her PhD in United States Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative work while studying ancient texts and realized that scholarly insight is meaningful only when it’s experienced. Her approach blends academic rigor with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mira 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 arose and what they aim 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 inner peace. Instead, we focus on developing skills that help you face life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses start 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 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 profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.