Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as a goal of emptying the mind or reaching a flawless state of calm. It resembles learning to stay with whatever arises—the wandering thoughts, planning impulses, and even that peculiar itch that pops up five minutes into sitting.
Our team combines decades of practice across varied traditions. Some arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal struggle, and a few discovered it in college and never left. What unites us is a pledge to teach meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll meet has their own style of explaining ideas. Samir tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Leena draws from her background in psychology. We've found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more deeply with some teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Samir Desai
Lead Instructor
Samir began his meditation journey in 1998 after burnout from a software engineering career. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. He stands out for his ability to translate ancient concepts into surprisingly contemporary 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 often include practical discussions about integrating mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Leena Kapoor
Philosophy Guide
Leena combines her PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She found contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that theoretical understanding is meaningful only when it’s lived. Her approach merges scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Leena has a gift for making intricate 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’re truly meant 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 cultivating 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 a measured approach to deciding 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 changed our lives in subtle yet profound ways, and we’ve witnessed it do the same for many others.