Our Approach to Teaching
We don’t see meditation as clearing the mind or attaining a flawless state of zen. It’s more about learning to stay with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, even that odd itch that tends to show up a few minutes after you begin.
Our group combines decades of practice from diverse traditions. Some found meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal hardship, and a few simply wandered into it during college and never left. What unites us is a dedication to teaching meditation as a practical life skill, not a mystical pursuit.
Each guide you'll meet has their own style of explaining concepts. Miran Keshav tends to use analogies from everyday life, while Sora Patel 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
Miran Keshav
Lead Instructor
Miran 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 talent for explaining ancient concepts with 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 integrating mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Sora Patel
Philosophy Guide
Sora blends her PhD in United States Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative practice while studying ancient texts and realized that scholarly understanding means little without experiential knowing. Her approach bridges academic insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Sora has a gift for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices arose and what they’re truly meant to achieve.
Why We Teach It 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 achieve perfect peace. Instead, we focus on building skills that help you navigate life's inevitable challenges with more 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 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 transformed our lives in subtle but profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.