Our Teaching Philosophy
We view meditation not as clearing the mind or reaching a flawless state of serenity. Instead, it’s about learning to sit with whatever arises—the wandering thoughts, the busy planning mind, even that peculiar itch that tends to appear a few minutes into practice.
Our team combines many decades of practice from various traditions. Some found meditation through scholarly philosophy, others through personal challenges, and a few discovered it in college and stayed. We all share a commitment to presenting meditation as a practical tool for daily life rather than a mystical journey.
Each guide has a unique way of explaining concepts. Mika tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Lina draws on psychology. Different approaches click with different people, so you’ll likely relate more to some teaching styles than to others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who've dedicated their lives to meditation, each bringing a distinct perspective to the practice
Kai Nakamura
Lead Instructor
Kai began meditating after burnout from his software engineering career, and spent years studying Vipassana in Southeast Asia and Zen in Japan. He stands out for explaining ancient concepts with surprisingly modern analogies—he once compared 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 about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Nova Reyes
Philosophy Guide
Nova blends a PhD in United States Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She found contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that scholarly understanding means little without lived experience. Her approach fuses rigorous insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Nova has a talent for making complex philosophical ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. 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 teaching, we’ve found that meditation benefits from being demystified. We don’t promise enlightenment or flawless peace. Instead, we aim to build skills that help you handle life’s challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.
Our courses start 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’s not 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 would 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.