Our Teaching Philosophy
We see meditation not as clearing the mind or reaching a flawless state of serenity. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning voice, and even that peculiar itch that shows up a few minutes in.
Our team blends decades of practice from diverse traditions. Some arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal challenges, and a few discovered it during college and stayed. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical skill for everyday life, rather than a mystical pursuit.
Every guide has their own way of conveying ideas. Kai tends to illustrate concepts with everyday analogies, while Mira draws on her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect with specific teaching styles more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life’s work, each offering a distinct perspective on the practice
Kai Sunder
Lead Instructor
Kai began meditating in 1998 after burnout from his software engineering career. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen practice in Japan. What sets him apart is his knack for explaining ancient ideas with surprisingly contemporary analogies—he once compared the monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and specializes in helping busy professionals establish sustainable meditation routines. His sessions often include practical conversations about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without bypassing reality.
Mira Cho
Philosophy Guide
Mira combines her PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative work while researching ancient texts and realized that academic understanding means little without experiential insight. Her approach bridges scholarly rigor with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mira has a gift for making complex 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 truly meant to achieve.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and instruction, we’ve learned that meditation is most effective when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or assert you’ll reach perfect peace. Instead, we focus on building skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and reduced reactivity.
Our courses begin in September 2025, 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 transformed our lives in subtle yet meaningful ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.