Our Teaching Philosophy
We see meditation not as clearing your mind or attaining some perfect state of zen. It's more like learning to sit with whatever arises – the restless thoughts, the planning mind, even that odd itch that shows up five minutes into sitting.
Our group brings together decades of practice across different traditions. Some were drawn to meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal crisis, and a few simply found it in college and stayed. What unites us 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 concepts. Rajiv tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Maya draws from her background in psychology. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more with certain teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Rajiv Krishnamurthy
Lead Instructor
Rajiv 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 ability to explain ancient concepts using surprisingly modern analogies – he once compared monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our core courses and specializes in helping busy professionals find sustainable meditation practices. His sessions often include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Maya Patel
Philosophy Guide
Maya 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 meant nothing without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Maya has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying. Her 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.
Why We Teach This Way
After many years of practice and teaching, we’ve found that meditation benefits most when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or claim you’ll attain perfect calm. Instead, we focus on building skills to 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 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 changed our lives in subtle but profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.