Our Teaching Philosophy
We don't view meditation as draining the mind or reaching a flawless zen state. It's about learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the busy planning mind, and even that pesky itch that tends to show up a few minutes in.
Our team blends decades of practice from diverse traditions. Some arrived at meditation via academic philosophy, others through personal challenges, and a few wandered into it in college and stayed. We’re united by teaching meditation as a practical life skill, not a mystical pursuit.
Each guide has their own way of presenting ideas. Kai uses everyday-life analogies, while Mira draws on psychology. Different approaches click with different people, so you’ll likely connect with some teaching styles more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Kai Nakamura
Lead Instructor
Kai began meditating in the late 90s after burnout from a software engineering career. He dedicated three years to Vipassana study in Myanmar and later trained in Zen practice in Japan. His strength is translating ancient ideas into relatable, contemporary analogies—for example, likening the monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our core courses and helps busy professionals cultivate sustainable meditation habits. His sessions often include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Mira Patel
Philosophy Guide
Mira combines her PhD in United States Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that academic understanding meant nothing without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mira has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without dumbing them down. Her students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices developed and what they're really meant to accomplish.
Why We Teach This Way
Over years of practice and instruction, we've found meditation thrives when it's demystified. We don't promise enlightenment or perfect calm. Rather, we aim to build skills that help you face life's inevitable challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses begin in September 2025, offering time to consider whether this approach feels right. We believe in taking time to decide thoughtfully about contemplative practice—it's not something to rush into due to fleeting enthusiasm.
If you're curious about meditation as a practical life skill rather than a spiritual pursuit, we’d be glad to guide your exploration. The practice has subtly but profoundly changed our lives, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.