Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t see meditation as a way to clear the mind or reach a flawless state of serenity. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that peculiar itch that appears five minutes into sitting.
Our team combines decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some of us began with academic philosophy, others through personal challenges, and a few stumbled upon it during college and stayed. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll meet has their own way of explaining concepts. Mira tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Lina 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 a unique perspective to the practice
Mira Sen
Lead Instructor
Mira began meditating in 1998 after burnout from a software engineering career. She spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. What sets her apart is her ability to explain ancient concepts using surprisingly modern analogies—she once compared monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
She leads our foundational courses and specializes in helping busy professionals cultivate sustainable meditation practices. Her sessions often include pragmatic discussions about integrating mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Lina Chen
Philosophy Guide
Lina 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 little without experiential knowledge. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Lina has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying them. 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 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.