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Open Balanced Horizon

Meet Our Meditation Guides

Seasoned practitioners who have spent years exploring the depths of contemplative philosophy and mindfulness practice

Our Teaching Philosophy

We don’t see meditation as clearing the mind or reaching a flawless state of calm. It’s more about learning to sit with whatever emerges—the restless thoughts, the planning mind, even that odd itch that shows up a few minutes in.

Our team spans decades of practice across diverse traditions. Some arrived through academic philosophy, others through personal crises, and a few simply found their way during 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 concepts. Ravi tends to use everyday-life analogies, while Ananya draws from 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 Guides

Two practitioners who have dedicated their lives to meditation, each offering a unique perspective on the practice

Portrait of Ravi meditation instructor

Ravi Krishnamurthy

Lead Instructor

Ravi began meditating in 1998 after burnout from his software engineering career. He spent three years studying Vipassana in Myanmar and later trained in Zen meditation in Japan. What sets him apart is his ability to explain ancient concepts using surprisingly modern analogies – he once compared 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.

Portrait of Ananya meditation instructor

Ananya Patel

Philosophy Guide

Ananya 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 theoretical understanding meant little without experiential knowledge. Her approach links scholarly insight with practical application.

She guides our deeper philosophical explorations and retreat programs. Ananya 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 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 serenity. Instead, we focus on building 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 time to make thoughtful decisions about contemplative practice—it isn’t something to rush into based on fleeting 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.