Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as erasing thoughts or attaining a flawless zen state. It's about learning to stay with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the plotting mind, and that pesky itch that crops up a few minutes in.
Our team has pooled decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few simply discovered it in college and stayed. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical rite.
Each guide offers a distinct way of conveying ideas. Ravi uses everyday-life analogies, while Ananya draws on psychology. We’ve observed that various approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely feel a stronger connection with some teaching styles over others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Ravi Krishnamurthy
Lead Instructor
Ravi began meditating after burning out from his software engineering career. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen in Japan. His strength lies in explaining ancient ideas with surprisingly contemporary analogies—for example, he compares the monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and helps busy professionals cultivate sustainable meditation practices. His sessions frequently include practical discussions on weaving mindfulness into work and managing stress without bypassing reality.
Ananya Patel
Philosophy Guide
Ananya combines a 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 guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Ananya 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 accomplish.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and teaching, we've found meditation is most effective when demystified. We don't promise enlightenment or perfect peace. Instead, we focus on developing skills that help you meet life's challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses begin in the coming fall, 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'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 changed our lives in subtle but profound ways, and we've seen it do the same for many others.