Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as clearing your mind or reaching a flawless state of calm, but as learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that quirky itch that pops up midway through sitting.
Our team combines decades of practice across varied lineages. Some began with meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal adversity, and a few found it unexpectedly in college and stayed. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical skill for everyday life, rather than a mystical pursuit.
Each guide has their own way of conveying ideas. Raj Rao tends to use everyday analogies, while Mira Sato draws from her psychology background. We’ve discovered that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely feel a connection with certain teaching styles more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life’s work, each bringing a distinct perspective to the practice
Raj Rao
Lead Instructor
Raj began meditating in 1995 after burning out from a software engineering career. He spent several 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 contemporary analogies—he once likened the 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 frequently include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Mira Sato
Philosophy Guide
Mira holds a 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 merges scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mira has a talent for making intricate philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying. Students often say she helps them grasp not only how to meditate, but why these practices emerged and what they are truly meant to accomplish.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and teaching, we’ve learned that meditation thrives when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or claim you’ll reach perfect serenity. 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. We believe in taking moments to make thoughtful decisions about contemplative practice—it isn’t something to rush into based on fleeting 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 witnessed the same for many others.