Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as clearing the mind or reaching a flawless state of calm. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that odd itch that tends to show up a few minutes into sitting.
Our team gathers decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some came to meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few wandered into it in college and stayed. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill, not a mystical experience.
Each guide has their own way of explaining ideas. Alex Carter tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Maya Singh 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 have made meditation their life’s work, each offering a distinct perspective on the practice
Alex Carter
Lead Instructor
Alex began meditating in 1998 after burnout from a software engineering career. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. What sets him apart is the ability to explain ancient concepts with surprisingly contemporary analogies—he once compared 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 often include practical discussions on integrating mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Maya Singh
Philosophy Guide
Maya 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 means little without experiential knowledge. Her approach links scholarly insight with practical application.
She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Maya has a gift for making complex philosophical concepts accessible without oversimplifying. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices evolved and what they’re truly meant to accomplish.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and instruction, 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 the space to make thoughtful decisions about contemplative practice—it isn’t 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 enriched our lives in subtle but profound ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.