Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t see meditation as emptying the mind or reaching a flawless state of calm. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that peculiar itch that shows up five minutes into sitting.
Our team combines decades of practice from diverse traditions. Some arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, 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 meet has their own way of explaining ideas. Arun tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Sofia draws on her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches connect with different people, so you’ll likely relate to some teaching styles more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who have made meditation their life’s work, each bringing a unique angle to the practice
Arun Kapoor
Lead Instructor
Arun began his meditation journey in 1998 after burnout from a software engineering career. He studied Vipassana in Myanmar for three years and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. His strength lies in explaining ancient concepts through surprisingly modern 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 weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Sofia Mei
Philosophy Guide
Sofia 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 insight. Her approach bridges scholarly perspective with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Sofia has a gift for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. Students often say she helps them grasp not just how to meditate, but why these practices arose and what they’re truly meant to achieve.
Why We Teach This Way
After many years of practice and teaching, we’ve found that meditation works best when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or claim you’ll reach perfect peace. Instead, we focus on building skills to help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and reduced reactivity.
Our courses begin in September 2025, giving you time to reflect on whether this approach resonates with you. We believe in taking the time to thoughtfully decide about contemplative practice—not rushing in on a momentary wave of 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 transformed our lives in subtle but meaningful ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.