Our Teaching Philosophy
We see meditation not as emptying the mind or attaining 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 halfway through.
Our team spans decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some of us came to meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal crises, 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 explains concepts in their own way. The first guide tends to use everyday-life analogies, while the second draws from a psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more strongly with certain teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life’s work, each bringing a unique perspective to the practice
Ravi Desai
Lead Instructor
Ravi began meditating in 1998 after burnout from 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 explaining ancient ideas with surprisingly modern analogies—he once likened 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 and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Anika Rao
Philosophy Guide
Anika 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 experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Anika has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying them. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices arose and what they’re 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 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 the time to make thoughtful choices about contemplative practice—it isn’t something to rush 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 transformed our lives in subtle yet profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.