Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as clearing the mind or attaining a flawless zen state. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever arises – the busy thoughts, the planning mind, and even that persistent itch that shows up five minutes into seated practice.
Our team blends decades of practice across varied traditions. Some discovered meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few stumbled upon it in college and stayed. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.
Each guide brings a distinct way of explaining ideas. Kai Nakamura tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Mira Sharma draws on her background in psychology. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect with certain teaching styles more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've made meditation their life's work, each bringing a unique perspective to the practice
Kai Nakamura
Lead Instructor
Kai began meditating in the year 2000 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 ideas using surprisingly contemporary analogies – he once compared the 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 talks about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Mira Sharma
Philosophy Guide
Mira combines her PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative work while researching ancient texts and realized that academic understanding is incomplete without experiential insight. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Mira has a gift for making intricate philosophical concepts accessible without simplifying them. Her students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices arose and what they’re truly meant to achieve.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and instruction, we’ve learned that meditation flourishes best when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or claim you’ll reach perfect peace. Instead, we aim to build skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses begin in late 2026, giving you time to reflect on whether this approach resonates with you. We believe in taking the time to thoughtfully decide about contemplative practice—it isn’t something to rush into due to 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 subtly but profoundly transformed our lives, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.