Our Teaching Philosophy
We believe meditation isn't about clearing the mind or attaining a flawless state of zen. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that odd itch that tends to appear a few minutes after you settle.
Our team combines decades of practice across multiple traditions. Some of us arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal crisis, and a few simply wandered 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 offers their own approach to explanations. Alex Carter uses everyday-life analogies, while Mira Shah draws from her background in psychology. We’ve found that different methods resonate with different people, so you’ll likely feel a stronger connection with certain teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Alex Carter
Lead Instructor
Alex began meditating in 1998 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 talent for explaining ancient concepts through 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 weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Mira Shah
Philosophy Guide
Mira 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 rigorous insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mira has a talent 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 developed and what they’re truly 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 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 the time to make thoughtful decisions about 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 witnessed the same for many others.