Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as emptying the mind or attaining a flawless state of zen. It’s more about learning to stay with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mindset, and even that peculiar itch that shows up five minutes into sitting.
Our team combines decades of practice from diverse traditions. Some of us found meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheavals, and a few simply wandered in during college and never left. Our shared aim is to teach meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll meet explains concepts in their own style. Kai tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Noor draws on her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches click with different people, so you’ll likely connect more with certain teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Kai Sharma
Lead Instructor
Kai began practicing in 1998 after burning out from a software 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 ideas with unexpectedly modern analogies—he once likened monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and specializes in helping busy professionals develop sustainable meditation habits. His sessions often include practical talks about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Noor Joshi
Philosophy Guide
Noor combines her PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative study while researching ancient texts and realized that theoretical understanding means little without lived experience. Her approach links scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Noor has a knack for making intricate philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying. Students say she helps them grasp not just 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 inner peace. Instead, we focus on building skills to navigate life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses kick off in September 2025, giving you time to reflect on whether this approach resonates with you. We believe in taking time to thoughtfully decide about contemplative practice—it isn’t 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 changed our lives in subtle but profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.