Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t view meditation as a way to empty the mind or reach a flawless state of serenity. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever arrives—the restless thoughts, the planning mindset, and even that peculiar itch that shows up five minutes into practice.
Our team combines decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some of us found meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few simply found it in college and stayed. Our shared goal is to present meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical quest.
Each guide brings their own way of conveying ideas. Ravi often uses everyday-life analogies, while Ananya draws on her psychology background. We’ve observed that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely relate more strongly to certain teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their lifelong work, each contributing a unique perspective to the practice
Ravi Krishnamurthy
Lead Instructor
Ravi began meditating in 1998 after burnout in his software engineering role. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. What makes him stand out is his knack for explaining ancient ideas with surprisingly contemporary analogies—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 mindfulness practices. His sessions frequently include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Ananya Patel
Philosophy Guide
Ananya combines a PhD in United States Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She found contemplative practice while studying ancient texts and realized that intellectual understanding means little without experiential knowledge. Her approach fuses scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Ananya has a gift for making intricate philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying them. Students often tell us she helps them grasp not only how to meditate, but why these practices arose and what they are truly intended 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 peace. Instead, we focus on building skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses commence 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 isn’t 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 profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.