Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t view meditation as forcing the mind to vanish or chasing some flawless state of serenity. It’s more about learning to stay with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that peculiar itch that shows up five minutes into sitting.
Our team blends decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some began meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheavals, and a few wandered into it during college and never left. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical skill for daily life, not a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll meet has their own way of explaining ideas. Samir tends to use everyday analogies, while Mia draws from 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 a unique perspective to the practice
Samir Kulkarni
Lead Instructor
Samir began meditating in 1998 after burnout in 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 talent for explaining 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 establish sustainable meditation practices. His sessions often include practical discussions about integrating mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Mia Sharma
Philosophy Guide
Mia combines her PhD in Germany 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 links scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mia has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts approachable without oversimplifying. Students often say she helps them grasp not only how to meditate, but why these practices developed and what they’re truly meant to accomplish.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and teaching, we’ve learned that meditation is most effective 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 a thoughtful pause before diving into 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 changed our lives in subtle but profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.