Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as clearing the mind or reaching some flawless state of zen. Instead, it’s akin to learning to stay with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, even that odd itch that pops up early in a session.
Our group combines many years of practice across diverse lineages. Some arrived via academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few found it in college and never left. We share a pledge to present meditation as a practical life skill, not a mystical rite.
Each guide explains ideas in their own voice. Ravi uses everyday-life analogies, while Ananya leans on psychology. We’ve observed that different methods click with different people, so you’ll likely feel a stronger connection with certain teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Ravi Krishnamurthy
Lead Instructor
Ravi began meditating in 1998 following burnout in his software engineering career. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later pursued Zen meditation in Japan. His distinctive strength is explaining ancient ideas through fresh, relatable comparisons—he even likened the monkey mind to having numerous browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and helps busy professionals establish sustainable meditation habits. His sessions frequently cover practical ways to weave mindfulness into work life and manage stress without spiritual bypassing.
Ananya Patel
Philosophy Guide
Ananya 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 theoretical understanding means little without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Ananya has a gift for making intricate philosophical concepts approachable without oversimplification. Students often say she helps them grasp not only 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 achieve perfect peace. Instead, we focus on building skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with more 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 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 profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.