Our Teaching Philosophy
We believe meditation isn't about clearing your mind or reaching some flawless state of calm. It's more like learning to sit with whatever arises— the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that curious itch that shows up five minutes into practice.
Our group blends decades of practice across various traditions. Some of us came to meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal struggle, and a few simply found it during college and stayed. What binds us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical skill for everyday life, not a mystical pursuit.
Each guide you meet has their own way of explaining concepts. Alex tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Mira draws from her background in psychology. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely click with certain teaching styles more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life’s work, each offering a unique perspective on the practice
Alex Carter
Lead Instructor
Alex 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 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 on 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 is incomplete without lived experience. Her approach bridges rigorous inquiry with practical application.
She guides 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 understand not only how to meditate, but why these practices arose 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 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 start in September 2026, 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 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 but meaningful ways, and we’ve witnessed the same for many others.