Our Approach to Teaching
We don’t view meditation as clearing the mind or attaining flawless serenity. It’s about learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the busy planning, and even that nagging itch that tends to show up after a few minutes.
Our team combines decades of practice from varied traditions. Some began with academic philosophy, others through personal challenges, and a few discovered it during college and stayed. We all share a dedication to teaching meditation as a practical everyday skill, not a mystical rite.
Each guide explains ideas in their own style. Ravi uses everyday-life analogies, while Ananya draws on her psychology background. We’ve found that diverse approaches click with different people, so you’ll probably relate more to some teaching styles than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve committed their lives to meditation, each bringing a distinct perspective to the practice
Ravi Krishnamurthy
Lead Instructor
Ravi began meditating in 1998 following burnout from software engineering. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen in Japan. He stands out for explaining classic ideas with unexpectedly contemporary analogies—like likening the monkey mind to having a multitude of browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and helps busy professionals discover sustainable meditation practices. His sessions frequently include practical guidance on weaving mindfulness into work life and handling stress without bypassing reality.
Ananya Patel
Philosophy Guide
Ananya combines a PhD in philosophy from Germany with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She found contemplative practice while studying ancient texts and realized that theory without lived experience has limited value. Her approach blends scholarly insight with practical use.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreats. She has a talent for presenting complex philosophical ideas clearly, without oversimplification. Students say she helps them grasp not only how to meditate but why these practices arose and what they aim to achieve.
Why We Teach It This Way
Through years of practice and teaching, we've learned meditation is most effective when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or perfect peace. Instead, we focus on developing skills to meet life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses begin in early autumn, 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’s not 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 subtly but profoundly changed our lives, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.