Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as emptying the mind or attaining a flawless state of calm. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning brain, and even those familiar little titches that show up early in a session.
Our team combines decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some of us entered meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal adversity, and a few simply found it in college and stayed. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill, not a mystical rite.
Each guide has a unique way of explaining ideas. Mason tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Leila draws on her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches connect with different people, so you’ll likely resonate more with some teaching styles than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've dedicated their lives to meditation, each bringing a distinct perspective to the practice
Mason Kapoor
Lead Instructor
Mason 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. His strength lies in explaining ancient ideas through surprisingly contemporary 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 practices. His sessions often include practical discussions on weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Leila Chen
Philosophy Guide
Leila 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 insight means little without experiential understanding. Her approach links scholarly rigor with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Leila has a gift for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying. Students often say she helps them grasp not only how to meditate, but why these practices developed and what they’re ultimately meant to accomplish.
Why We Teach This Way
After years of practice and teaching, we’ve learned that meditation thrives when it’s demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or claim you’ll reach perfect serenity. Instead, our focus is on cultivating skills that help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses begin in September 2025, giving you time to reflect on whether this approach resonates with you. We believe in taking deliberate time to decide on 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 profoundly impacted our lives, and we’ve witnessed a similar transformation in many others.