Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as a way to empty the mind or attain a flawless state of calm. It’s more about learning to stay with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that peculiar itch that pops up a few minutes into sitting.
Our team brings together decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some members arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few stumbled upon it in college and never left. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll meet has their own way of explaining ideas. Raman tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Aanya draws from her psychology background. We’ve found different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more with some teaching styles than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Raman Iyer
Lead Instructor
Raman began practicing meditation in 1998 after burnout from a 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 talent for explaining ancient concepts with 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 cultivate sustainable meditation habits. His sessions often include practical talks about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Aanya Rao
Philosophy Guide
Aanya 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 blends scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Aanya has a gift for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without simplifying them. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices arose and what they truly aim to accomplish.
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 achieve perfect peace. Instead, we focus on building skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with more awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses start in September 2026, giving you time to reflect on whether this approach resonates with you. We believe in taking a thoughtful pause before committing to 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 transformed our lives in subtle but meaningful ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.