Our Approach to Teaching
We don’t see meditation as clearing the mind or reaching some flawless state of zen. It’s more about learning to stay with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, even that peculiar itch that crops up shortly after settling in.
Our group brings together decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal crisis, and a few simply found it in college and never left. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide has their own way of explaining concepts. One mentor uses everyday-life analogies, while another draws on psychology. We've found that different approaches click with different people, so you’ll likely feel drawn to certain teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve dedicated their lives to meditation, each bringing a unique perspective to the practice
Ren Patel
Lead Instructor
Ren began meditating in 2000 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 ability to explain ancient concepts using surprisingly modern analogies—he once compared 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 integrating mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Meera Singh
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 bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Meera has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying them. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices developed and what they’re really 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 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 September 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.