Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as emptying the mind or reaching a flawless state of zen. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that odd itch that tends to show up a few minutes into sitting.
Our team combines decades of practice across various traditions. Some came to meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal hardship, and a few found it during college and never left. What binds 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 concepts. Dev tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Mira draws from her background in psychology. 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 unique perspectives to the practice
Dev Kumar
Lead Instructor
Dev began meditating in 2005 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 ability to explain ancient concepts using surprisingly modern analogies—he once compared monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and specializes in helping busy professionals find sustainable meditation practices. His sessions often include practical discussions about integrating mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Mira Patel
Philosophy Guide
Mira 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. Mira has a talent for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without simplification. Her students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices emerged and what they’re truly meant to achieve.
Why We Teach It 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 guarantee perfect peace. Instead, we focus on building skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with more 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 time to make thoughtful decisions about contemplative practice—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.