Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t see meditation as a way to empty the mind or reach some flawless state of calm. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever arises—the busy thoughts, the planning mind, and even that persistent itch that shows up five minutes into practice.
Our team brings decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some of us arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few discovered it in college and never left. What binds us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill, not a mystical experience.
Each guide has their own way of explaining ideas. Arin tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Lila draws on her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect with certain teaching styles more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life’s work, each offering distinct perspectives to the practice
Arin Kapoor
Lead Instructor
Arin began his meditation journey in 1998 after burnout from a software engineering role. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen practice in Japan. What sets him apart is his knack for explaining ancient ideas with surprisingly modern illustrations—he once likened the monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and focuses on helping busy professionals establish sustainable meditation routines. His sessions often include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Lila Sharma
Philosophy Guide
Lila holds a PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy and has fifteen years of personal meditation practice. Her path began while researching ancient texts, and she realized that theoretical knowledge means little without lived experience. Her approach blends scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Lila has a gift for making intricate philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices arose 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 you’ll attain perfect serenity. 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 2025, giving you time to reflect on whether this approach resonates with you. We believe in taking the 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 subtly but profoundly changed our lives, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.