Melissa McKay

Teacher

Melissa began her path of meditation in 1998 with a small group of dedicated practitioners in Oakland, CA with her beloved, though not known, teacher named Barbara Janus who introduced her to the teachings of Sayadaw U Pandita of Burma. Her first retreat was with Sayadaw U Pandita and the profound changes she saw in herself gave her a strong faith and dedication to the practice. She practiced with Sayadaw and his monks at centers in the U.S. and Burma.  She met Bhante Khippa Pano of Vietnam in 2000 and he became her main teacher.  She continues to attend intensive meditation retreats yearly and has trained for over 10,000 hours.  

Bhante gave her permission to teach, and since 2003. She has taught at centers all over the United States.

Jack Kornfield has said of her, “Melissa is one of the most experienced practitioners of the new generation of teachers.”  And Lodro Rinzler, “Melissa has a skillfulness in making esoteric teachings relatable to modern day living.”

After nearly two decades in New York City, she now resides in Las Vegas with her family.

For more information visit www.melissamckay.net. 


Upcoming Events

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Monday Meditation Group

Monday
December 1, 2025
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Hybrid Santa Monica Community Dharma Nights

Wednesday
December 3, 2025
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM PT
Weekly Classes (Single Class)

Benedict Canyon Retreat House (Hybrid: In-person) Lanterns of Lovingkindness: Metta Meditation on the Eve of Returning Light

Saturday
December 20, 2025
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM PT
Non-Residential Retreats (Single Day)

Online (Hybrid: Online) Lanterns of Lovingkindness: Metta Meditation on the Eve of Returning Light

Saturday
December 20, 2025
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM PT
Non-Residential Retreats (Single Day)

Online Morning Community Sit – Every Monday through Friday

Wednesday
December 24, 2025
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Online Morning Community Sit – Every Monday through Friday

Thursday
December 25, 2025
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Online Morning Community Sit – Every Monday through Friday

Friday
December 26, 2025
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Santa Monica Meditation Center (Hybrid: In-Person) Sundays Together

Sunday
December 28, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PT
Weekly Classes (Single Class)

Online (Hybrid: Online) Sundays Together

Sunday
December 28, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PT
Weekly Classes (Single Class)

Experienced, Introductory

Mary & Joseph Retreat Center New Year’s Silent Meditation Retreat

Sunday
December 28, 2025

5 days 3:00 PM - 3:00 PM PT
Residential Retreats (Multi Day Retreat)

Online Morning Community Sit – Every Monday through Friday

Monday
December 29, 2025
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Online Morning Community Sit – Every Monday through Friday

Tuesday
December 30, 2025
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Online Morning Community Sit – Every Monday through Friday

Wednesday
December 31, 2025
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Online Morning Community Sit – Every Monday through Friday

Thursday
January 1, 2026
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Online Morning Community Sit – Every Monday through Friday

Friday
January 2, 2026
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Online Morning Community Sit – Every Monday through Friday

Monday
January 5, 2026
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Monday Meditation Group

Monday
January 5, 2026
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Monday Meditation Group

Monday
February 9, 2026
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Benedict Canyon Retreat House (Hybrid: In-Person) Metta Retreat

Friday
February 13, 2026

3 days 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM PT
Non-Residential Retreats (Multi Day Retreat)

Online (Hybrid: Online) Metta Retreat

Friday
February 13, 2026

3 days 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM PT
Non-Residential Retreats (Multi Day Retreat)

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Monday Meditation Group

Monday
February 16, 2026
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Past Events - Teacher and Office Team view only

Online Morning Community Sit – Every Monday through Friday

Friday
November 28, 2025
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Day Trip to Metta Forest Monastery: Meditation, Service, and Optional Overnight Stay

Sunday
November 16, 2025
8:30 AM - 8:30 PM PT
Special Events (Single Day)

Online (Hybrid: Online) Sundays Together

Sunday
November 2, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PT
Weekly Classes (Single Class)

Experienced, Introductory

Hybrid Santa Monica Community Dharma Nights

Wednesday
October 15, 2025
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM PT
Weekly Classes (Single Class)

Benedict Canyon Retreat House (Hybrid: In-person) Understanding the Mind: A Vipassana Retreat (Camping Optional)

Saturday
October 11, 2025

3 days 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM PT
Non-Residential Retreats (Multi Day Retreat)

Online (Hybrid: Online) Understanding the Mind: A Vipassana Retreat

Saturday
October 11, 2025

3 days 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM PT
Non-Residential Retreats (Multi Day Retreat)

Hybrid Santa Monica Community Dharma Nights

Wednesday
October 8, 2025
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM PT
Weekly Classes (Single Class)