Our Teaching Philosophy
We see meditation not as clearing the mind or reaching some flawless state of serenity. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever arises—chaotic thoughts, a busy planning mind, and even that peculiar itch that tends to show up a few minutes after you start sitting.
Our team combines decades of practice across a range of traditions. Some joined meditation through academic philosophy, others after personal challenges, and a few encountered 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 rite.
Each guide brings their own way of explaining concepts. Alex often uses everyday-life analogies, while Priya draws on her background in psychology. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’re likely to connect 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
Kai Nakamura
Lead Instructor
Kai 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 distinguishes him is the ability to explain ancient ideas using surprisingly modern comparisons—he once likened the monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and focuses on helping busy professionals establish sustainable meditation habits. His sessions often include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypass.
Mira Chen
Philosophy Guide
Mira 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 scholarly understanding meant little without experiential knowledge. Her approach merges scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mira has a talent for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplification. Students often say she helps them grasp not only how to meditate, but why these practices developed and what they’re truly meant 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 greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses commence in September 2025, giving you time to reflect on whether this approach resonates with you. We believe in taking the 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 quietly but profoundly changed our lives, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.