Our Teaching Philosophy
We don’t view meditation as a way to empty the mind or reach a flawless state of calm. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises— restless thoughts, a planning mind, or even that odd itch that pops up five minutes into sitting.
Our team combines decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some came to meditation via academic philosophy, others through personal crises, and a few discovered it in college and never looked back. What binds us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill, not a mystical experience.
Each guide you’ll meet has their own way of explaining concepts. Milan Desai tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Sahana Rao draws from her background in psychology. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more with certain teaching styles.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing unique perspectives to the practice
Milan Desai
Lead Instructor
Milan 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. His strength lies in explaining ancient ideas through surprisingly modern 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 habits. His sessions often include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Sahana Rao
Philosophy Guide
Sahana combines her PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She found contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that scholarship means little without experiential insight. Her approach bridges rigorous analysis with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Sahana has a gift for making complex philosophical ideas approachable without watering them down. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices emerged and what they’re truly meant to achieve.
Why We Teach It 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 attain perfect peace. 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 with you. We believe in taking time to make thoughtful choices about contemplative practice—it isn’t something to rush 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 transformed our lives in subtle yet profound ways, and we have witnessed the same for many others.