Our Approach to Teaching
We believe meditation isn’t about clearing your mind or attaining a flawless state of zen. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that peculiar itch that tends to appear a few minutes into sitting.
Our team brings together decades of practice across different traditions. Some arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal crisis, and a few stumbled upon it in college and stayed. What we share is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll meet has their own way of explaining ideas. Ravi tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Ananya draws from her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more with some teaching styles than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who have dedicated meditation to their life's work, each offering a distinct perspective on the practice
Ravi Krishnamurthy
Lead Instructor
Ravi began meditating in 1998 after burnout in his software engineering career. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. What sets him apart is his knack for translating ancient concepts into surprisingly modern analogies—he once described the monkey mind as having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and focuses on helping busy professionals cultivate sustainable meditation practices. His sessions often include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Ananya Patel
Philosophy Guide
Ananya combines her PhD in United States Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that academic understanding means little without lived experience. Her approach links scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Ananya 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 developed and what they’re really meant to achieve.
Our Rationale for This Approach
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 consider whether this approach resonates with you. We believe in taking time to thoughtfully decide 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 touched our lives in subtle yet profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.