Our Teaching Philosophy
We see meditation not as clearing the mind or reaching a flawless state of serenity. Rather, it resembles learning to sit with whatever arises— restless thoughts, a planning mindset, and even that peculiar itch that shows up five minutes into a session.
Our team brings together decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some of us found meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few just discovered it in college and never looked back. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll encounter has their own way of conveying ideas. Arun Sharma tends to rely on everyday-life analogies, while Maya Chen draws from her psychology background. We’ve learned that different approaches connect with different people, so you’re likely to resonate 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
Arun Sharma
Lead Instructor
Arun 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 concepts through surprisingly modern analogies—he once likened 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 frequently include practical discussions on weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Maya Chen
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 means little 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 intricate philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying them. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices evolved and what they aim to accomplish.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and teaching, we’ve found that meditation thrives when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or guarantee perfect peace. Instead, we focus on developing skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with heightened awareness and reduced reactivity.
Our courses begin in September 2026, 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 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 seen it do the same for many others.