Our Teaching Philosophy
Meditation isn’t about clearing your mind or reaching a flawless zen state. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises — restless thoughts, a planning mindset, or that odd itch that appears five minutes into a session.
Our team combines decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal challenges, and a few stumbled into 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 their own way of explaining ideas. Mason Lee tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Priya Kapoor draws from 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 built meditation into their life's work, each offering a unique perspective
Mason Lee
Lead Instructor
Mason began meditating after burnout from his software career in the late 90s. He spent several years studying Vipassana in Southeast Asia and later trained in Zen meditation in East Asia. What stands out about him is his knack for explaining ancient ideas with surprisingly current examples — he once likened a wandering mind to having too many browser tabs open.
He leads our foundational courses and focuses on helping busy professionals cultivate sustainable mindfulness practices. His sessions frequently include practical guidance on weaving awareness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Priya Kapoor
Philosophy Guide
Priya combines her PhD in Southeast Asian Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that scholarly understanding means little without experiential knowing. Her approach fuses rigorous inquiry with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Priya has a talent for making intricate philosophical ideas accessible without diminishing their depth. Students often say she helps them understand not just how to meditate, but why these practices emerged and what they truly aim 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 reach perfect peace. Instead, we focus on building skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with more 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 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 transformed our lives in subtle but meaningful ways, and we’ve seen it do the same for many others.