Our Approach to Teaching
We don’t view meditation as simply emptying the mind or attaining a flawless state of calm. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that peculiar itch that appears a few minutes into practice.
Our team brings together decades of practice from various traditions. Some of us arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal challenges, and a few stumbled into it during 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 concepts. Ravi is inclined to use everyday-life analogies, while Ananya draws from her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more with certain teaching styles.
Your Mindfulness Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life’s work, each bringing a unique perspective to the practice
Ravi Iyer
Lead Instructor
Ravi began his meditation journey in 1998 after burnout in the software engineering world. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen practice in Japan. What sets him apart is his knack for explaining ancient ideas with surprisingly modern analogies—he once likened a monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and specializes in helping busy professionals establish sustainable meditation practices. His sessions often include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Anya Desai
Philosophy Guide
Anya 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 matters little without lived experience. Her approach merges scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Anya has a talent for rendering complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplification. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices arose and what they’re truly meant to accomplish.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and instruction, we’ve learned that meditation works best when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or claim you’ll reach perfect serenity. Instead, we aim to build 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 thoughtful time to decide about contemplative practice—it isn’t something you rush into based on short-lived 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 yet meaningful ways, and we’ve witnessed the same for many others.