Our Teaching Philosophy
We see meditation not as clearing your mind or attaining a flawless state of calm. It resembles learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that odd itch that tends to appear a few minutes into a sitting session.
Our team brings together decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some of us arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few simply wandered into it during college and never left. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill, not a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll meet has their own way of explaining concepts. Mika Rao tends to use relatable, everyday analogies, while Priya Kapoor draws from 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 bringing a unique perspective to the practice
Mika Rao
Lead Instructor
Mika began meditating 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. What sets him apart is the knack for explaining ancient ideas through surprisingly contemporary analogies—he once likened monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and specializes in helping busy professionals cultivate sustainable meditation habits. His sessions often involve practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Priya Kapoor
Philosophy Guide
Priya 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 academic understanding means little without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Priya has a gift for making intricate philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying. Students often say she helps them grasp not only how to meditate, but why these practices developed and what they’re truly meant to accomplish.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and teaching, we’ve learned that meditation thrives 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 more awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses begin in September 2026, giving you time to reflect on whether this approach resonates with you. We trust 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 subtly but profoundly changed our lives, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.