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Silver Forest Station

Meet Our Guides for Meditation

Experienced practitioners who have spent years delving into contemplative philosophy and mindfulness practice

Our Teaching Philosophy

We see meditation as more than simply emptying the mind or reaching a perfect state of zen. It’s about learning to sit with whatever arises—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, and even that familiar itch that appears a few minutes into sitting.

Our team brings together many years of practice across diverse traditions. Some of us arrived at meditation through academic philosophy, others through personal hardship, and a few discovered it in college and never left. What unites us is a commitment to teaching meditation as a practical life skill rather than a mystical experience.

Each guide you meet explains concepts in their own way. Ravi often uses everyday-life analogies, while Ananya draws on her psychology background. We’ve found that different approaches resonate with different people, so you’ll likely connect more with certain teaching styles.

Meditation practice space with cushions arranged in circle

Your Meditation Instructors

Two practitioners who’ve made meditation their life's work, each bringing a unique viewpoint to the practice

Portrait of Ravi meditation instructor

Ravi Krishnamurthy

Lead Instructor

Ravi began meditating in 1998 after a burnout in his software engineering career. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen practice in Japan. He stands out for his talent for making ancient ideas relatable through surprisingly modern comparisons—he once likened monkey mind to having too many browser tabs open.

He leads our foundational courses and specializes in helping busy professionals cultivate sustainable meditation habits. His sessions routinely include practical discussions about weaving mindfulness into work life and handling stress without spiritual bypassing.

Portrait of Ananya meditation instructor

Ananya Patel

Philosophy Guide

Ananya blends a PhD in United Kingdom Philosophy with fifteen years of personal meditation practice. She discovered contemplative practice while researching ancient texts and realized that theoretical understanding means little without lived experience. Her approach bridges scholarly insight with practical application.

She leads our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Ananya has a talent for presenting complex philosophical ideas in an accessible way without oversimplifying. Students often say she helps them grasp not only how to meditate, but why these practices arose and what they’re truly intended to achieve.

Why We Teach This Way

Over 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 face life’s inevitable challenges with greater awareness and less reactivity.

Our programs begin in September 2025, 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 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 yet profound ways, and we’ve witnessed the same impact on many others.