Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as clearing the mind or attaining a flawless zen state. It resembles learning to stay with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, even that peculiar itch that appears halfway through a session.
Our team blends decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal hardship, and a few simply wandered into it during college and stayed. Our shared aim is to teach meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide has their own way of presenting concepts. Ravi favors everyday-life analogies, while Ananya draws on psychology. We’ve found that different styles resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect with certain approaches more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who have dedicated their lives to meditation, each bringing a distinct perspective to the practice
Ravi Krishnamurthy
Lead Instructor
Ravi began meditating in 1998 after burnout from his software engineering career. He studied Vipassana in Myanmar for three years and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. He stands out for explaining ancient ideas using surprisingly contemporary analogies—he once compared monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and specializes in helping busy professionals cultivate sustainable meditation routines. 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 found contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that academic understanding means little without experiential knowing. Her approach merges scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Ananya has a talent for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. Students often say she helps them understand not only how to meditate, but why these practices evolved and what they truly aim 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 attain perfect stillness. Instead, we focus on building skills that 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 a thoughtful pace when deciding 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 subtly but profoundly transformed our lives, and we’ve witnessed the same for many others.