Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation as more about learning to stay with whatever arises rather than escaping the mind or chasing a flawless state of calm. It’s about sitting with the present moment—the restless thoughts, the planning tendency, and even that peculiar itch that shows up midway through practice.
Our team blends decades of practice across various traditions. Some of us discovered meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal hardship, and a few found it during college and stayed. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical skill for everyday life, not a mystical pursuit.
Each guide has their own way of conveying ideas. Arun tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Maya draws from her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches click with different people, so you’ll likely connect with particular teaching styles more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve devoted their lives to meditation, each bringing a distinct perspective to the practice
Arun Iyer
Lead Instructor
Arun began his meditation journey in 1998 after burnout in the software industry. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen practice in Japan. His strength lies in explaining ancient ideas through surprisingly modern comparisons—he once likened the mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and specializes in helping busy professionals cultivate sustainable mindfulness habits. His sessions often include practical conversations about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without bypassing reality.
Maya Sen
Philosophy Guide
Maya 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 theoretical understanding is meaningless without lived experience. Her approach merges scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Maya has a talent for making intricate philosophical ideas approachable without oversimplifying them. Students often say she helps them grasp not just how to meditate, but why these practices emerged and what they aim to achieve.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and teaching, we’ve found that meditation thrives when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or claim you’ll reach perfect serenity. Instead, we focus on building skills that help you navigate life’s unavoidable challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses begin in September 2025, giving you time to decide whether this approach resonates with you. We believe in taking thoughtful time to choose contemplative practices—it isn’t something to rush based on momentary enthusiasm.
If you’re curious about learning meditation as a practical life skill rather than a spiritual quest, we’d be honored to guide your exploration. The practice has subtly and profoundly transformed our lives, and we’ve witnessed the same for many others.