Our Teaching Philosophy
We see meditation not as draining the mind of thoughts or attaining a flawless state of serenity. Instead, it resembles learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that odd itch that shows up about five minutes in.
Our team combines decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some began with academic philosophy, others through personal challenges, and a few found it during college and stayed. What unites us is the belief that meditation should be a practical life skill, not a mystical experience.
Each guide brings their own way of explaining ideas. Ravi’s equivalent would be everyday-life analogies, while Ananya draws on psychology. We’ve found different methods resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect with certain teaching styles more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life’s work, each offering a unique take on the practice
Arman Suryavari
Lead Instructor
Arman began his meditation journey in 1998 after leaving a software engineering career burnout. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. His strength lies in translating ancient ideas into relatable modern examples—he once compared the monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and specializes in helping busy professionals cultivate sustainable meditation habits. His sessions often include practical talks about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Maya Kapoor
Philosophy Guide
Maya 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 means little without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges academic insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Maya has a gift for making intricate philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying. Students often say she helps them grasp not only how to meditate, but why these practices evolved and what they aim to achieve.
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 reach perfect peace. Instead, we focus on building skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with more awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses begin in Fall 2025, giving you time to reflect on whether this approach resonates. We believe in taking the time to make thoughtful decisions about contemplative practice—it’s not something to rush into based on fleeting 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 transformed our lives, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.