Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t see meditation as clearing the mind or reaching a flawless state of calm. It’s more about learning to be present with whatever arises—the wandering thoughts, the planning tendencies, and even that peculiar itch that shows up a few minutes into sitting.
Our team brings together decades of practice across different lineages. Some of us encountered meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal challenges, and a few discovered it during college and never looked back. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical skill for everyday life, not a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll meet has their own way of explaining concepts. Kai tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Anya draws on her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more strongly with certain teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've dedicated their lives to meditation, each bringing a distinct perspective to the practice
Kai Sharma
Lead Instructor
Kai began meditating in 1998 after burnout from a 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 knack for explaining ancient ideas through surprisingly modern comparisons—he once likened 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 conversations about weaving mindfulness into work life and handling stress without spiritual bypass.
Anya Li
Philosophy Guide
Anya blends her PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She found contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that academic insight means little without lived experience. Her approach bridges scholarly understanding with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Anya has a talent for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices emerged and what they’re meant 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 achieve perfect serenity. Instead, we focus on building skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses begin in Autumn 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 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 but profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.