Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as clearing the mind or reaching some flawless state of zen. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, even that curious itch that tends to appear a few minutes into practice.
Our team combines decades of practice across various traditions. Some came to meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal challenges, and a few discovered it in college and stayed. 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 ideas. Alex tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Maya draws on her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect with particular teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life’s work, each bringing a unique perspective to the practice
Alex Kim
Senior Instructor
Alex began meditating in the late 1990s after burnout from his software engineering career. He spent years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen practice in Japan. His strength lies in explaining ancient ideas with surprisingly contemporary analogies—he often compares the wandering 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 frequently include practical guidance on weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Maya Singh
Philosophy Guide
Maya 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 scholarly understanding means little without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Maya has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without simplifying them. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices evolved and what they’re truly meant to accomplish.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and teaching, we’ve learned that meditation yields the best results 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 2025, giving you time to reflect on whether this approach resonates with you. We believe in taking thoughtful time to decide about contemplative practice—it isn’t something to rush into from 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 witnessed the same for many others.