Our Approach to Teaching
We view meditation not as clearing the mind or reaching a flawless state of calm. It's about learning to sit with whatever arises—the busy thoughts, the planning chatter, and even that familiar itch that appears shortly after you settle in.
Our group combines decades of practice from diverse traditions. Some discovered meditation through scholarly philosophy, others through personal challenges, and a few wandered into it in college and stayed. We all share a commitment to presenting meditation as a practical life skill, not a mystical quest.
Each guide explains ideas in their own style. Lee Chen tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Mina Kapoor draws on her background in psychology. Different approaches resonate with different people, so you may feel a stronger connection with some teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who have dedicated their lives to meditation, each offering a distinct perspective on the practice
Lee Chen
Head Instructor
Lee began practicing meditation after burnout in his software engineering career. He spent years studying Vipassana in Southeast Asia 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.
Mina Kapoor
Philosophy Guide
Mina holds a PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy and has fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that academic understanding meant little without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mina has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying. Her students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices developed and what they're truly meant to accomplish.
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 achieve perfect peace. Instead, we focus on building skills that help you navigate life's inevitable challenges with more awareness and less reactivity.
Our programs begin 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 changed our lives in subtle but profound ways, and we've seen it do the same for many others.