Our Approach to Teaching
We see meditation not as emptying the mind or attaining a flawless state of zen. It's like learning to stay with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that odd itch that tends to pop up a few minutes into sitting.
Our team aggregates decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some arrived at meditation via academic philosophy, others through personal challenges, and a few 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 pursuit.
Each guide offers a distinct way of explaining ideas. [Name1] favors everyday-life analogies, while [Name2] leans on psychology. We’ve found that diverse approaches resonate differently with people, so you’ll likely connect with some teaching styles more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who have devoted their lives to meditation, each offering a distinct perspective to the practice
Kai Tan
Lead Instructor
Kai Tan 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 ability to explain ancient concepts using surprisingly modern analogies — he once compared monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our core 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.
Leena Kapoor
Philosophy Guide
Leena Kapoor 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 meant little without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Leena has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without dumbing them down. Her students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices developed and what they're really 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 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 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 changed our lives in subtle but profound ways, and we've seen it do the same for many others.