Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as clearing the mind or attaining a flawless state of zen. It’s more about learning to be with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that peculiar itch that shows up a few minutes after you settle in.
Our team combines decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some came to meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal hardship, and a few simply wandered into it in college and stayed. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll encounter has their own way of explaining ideas. Arin Kapoor tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Leysha Noor draws from her background in psychology. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more strongly with certain teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Arin Kapoor
Lead Instructor
Arin began meditating in 1998 after burnout from a 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 knack 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 develop sustainable meditation practices. His sessions often include practical discussions about integrating mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Leysha Noor
Philosophy Guide
Leysha 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 academic insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Leysha has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying them. Her students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices evolved and what they’re really meant to achieve.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and teaching, we’ve found 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 2026, giving you time to reflect on whether this approach resonates with you. We believe in taking the time needed to make thoughtful decisions about contemplative practice—it’s not something to rush 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 profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.