Our Approach to Teaching
We believe meditation isn’t about emptying the mind or reaching a flawless state of serenity. It’s more like learning to sit with whatever arises—restless thoughts, a busy planning mind, or that curious itch that tends to show up five minutes into practice.
Our team spans decades of practice across different traditions. Some arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal upheaval, and a few stumbled into it in college and stayed. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical skill for daily life, not a mystical experience.
Each guide has their own way of explaining ideas. Mira tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Sora Li draws from her background in psychology. We’ve found that different styles resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect with specific approaches more than others.
Your Meditation Guides
Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life’s work, each bringing a distinct perspective to the practice
Mira Sharma
Lead Instructor
Mira began practicing in 1998 after burnout in a software career. She studied Vipassana in Myanmar for three years and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. Her strength lies in explaining ancient ideas through surprisingly modern examples—she once compared monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.
She leads our foundational courses and focuses on helping busy professionals cultivate sustainable mindfulness practices. Her sessions often include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and managing stress without spiritual bypassing.
Sora Li
Philosophy Guide
Sora combines her PhD in India Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative study while examining ancient texts and realized that academic understanding means little without experiential knowledge. Her method bridges scholarly insight with practical application.
She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Sora 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 developed and what they’re truly meant to accomplish.
Why Our Approach Makes Sense
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 calm. Instead, we focus on developing 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 the time to make thoughtful decisions about contemplative practice—it isn’t something to rush into from 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 changed our lives, and we’ve witnessed it do the same for many others.