Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as clearing the mind or attaining an ideal state of serenity. It resembles learning to sit with whatever arises—the wandering thoughts, the plan-driven mind, even that peculiar itch that appears five minutes into sitting.
Our group blends decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some arrived at meditation via academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few discovered it in college and stayed. 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 conveying ideas. Dev Malik tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Nisha Rao draws on her psychology background. 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
Arun Kumar
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 stands out is his ability to explain ancient concepts with surprisingly modern analogies—he once compared the wandering mind to having too many tabs open in a browser.
He leads our foundational courses and specializes in helping busy professionals cultivate sustainable meditation practices. His sessions often include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Nisha Rao
Philosophy Guide
Nisha combines her PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative work while researching ancient texts and realized that scholarly understanding means little without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges academic insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Nisha has a gift for making intricate philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying. 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 This Way
After years of practice and instruction, we’ve learned that meditation thrives when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or claim you’ll find perfect tranquility. Instead, we focus on building skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses begin in September 2026, 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 isn’t something to rush into from 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 profoundly changed our lives, and we’ve witnessed it do the same for many others.