Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t see meditation as forcing the mind to empty or attaining a flawless state of calm. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that peculiar itch that pops up midway through a session.
Our team brings together decades of practice across different traditions. Some of us arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal crisis, and a few simply stumbled into it during 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 you’ll meet has their own approach to explaining ideas. Kai tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Mira draws on her psychology background. We’ve found that different styles resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more with some approaches than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing a distinct perspective to the practice
Kai Nakamura
Lead Instructor
Kai began practicing meditation in 1998 after burnout in the software industry. 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 concepts through surprisingly contemporary analogies—he once compared the scattered 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 discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Mira Shah
Philosophy Guide
Mira blends her PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She found contemplative work while studying ancient texts and realized that theoretical knowledge means little without lived experience. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mira has a knack for making intricate philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. Students often say she helps them grasp not only how to meditate, but why these practices emerged and what they’re meant to accomplish.
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 tranquility. Instead, we focus on building usable 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 a deliberate pace when deciding 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 subtly but profoundly transformed our lives, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.