Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as emptying the mind or reaching a flawless state of serenity. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever arises—the swirling thoughts, the planning mind, and even that peculiar itch that tends to show up a few minutes into a session.
Our team blends decades of practice across different traditions. Some of us found meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few stumbled into it during 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 meet has their own way of explaining concepts. Arav Malik tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Meera Iyer draws from her psychology background. We’ve discovered that varying approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more with some teaching styles than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life’s work, each bringing a unique perspective to the practice
Arav Malik
Lead Instructor
Arav 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 talent for explaining ancient concepts using unexpectedly modern analogies—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 practices. His sessions often include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Meera Iyer
Philosophy Guide
Meera 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 means little without experiential knowledge. Her approach links scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Meera has a gift for making intricate philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplification. Her students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices evolved and what they’re truly meant to achieve.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and teaching, we’ve learned that meditation is most effective when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or claim you’ll attain perfect peace. 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 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 yet profound ways, and we’ve witnessed it do the same for many others.