Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t think meditation is about clearing the mind or attaining a flawless state of calm. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thinking, the planning mind, and even that odd itch that tends to show up a few minutes into practice.
Our group combines decades of practice from various traditions. Some arrived at meditation via academic philosophy, others through personal hardship, and a few simply found it in college and stayed. What unites us is a dedication to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical pursuit.
Each guide has their own way of explaining ideas. Guide Alpha tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Guide Beta draws on a psychology background. We’ve found that diverse approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll probably connect more with some teaching styles than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who have made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Guide Alpha
Lead Instructor
Guide Alpha began meditating in 1998 after burnout from his 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 ability to explain 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 find sustainable meditation practices. His sessions often include practical discussions about integrating mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Guide Beta
Philosophy Guide
Guide Beta 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 academic understanding meant nothing without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Guide Beta 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 Meditation 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 2025, 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 changed our lives in subtle but profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.