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

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

Sunday
July 13, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PT
Weekly Classes (Single Class)

Online (Hybrid: Online) Sundays Together

Sunday
July 13, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PT
Weekly Classes (Single Class)

Experienced, Introductory

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Monday Meditation Group

Monday
July 14, 2025
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Hybrid Santa Monica Community Dharma Nights

Wednesday
July 16, 2025
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM PT
Weekly Classes (Single Class)

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

Sunday
July 20, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PT
Weekly Classes (Single Class)

Online (Hybrid: Online) Sundays Together

Sunday
July 20, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PT
Weekly Classes (Single Class)

Experienced, Introductory

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Monday Meditation Group

Monday
July 21, 2025
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Hybrid Santa Monica Community Dharma Nights

Wednesday
July 23, 2025
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM PT
Weekly Classes (Single Class)

Mary & Joseph Retreat Center Clear Seeing: An Insight Meditation Retreat

Friday
September 5, 2025

8 days 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM PT
Residential Retreats (Multi Day Retreat)

Hybrid Santa Monica Community Dharma Nights

Wednesday
September 17, 2025
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM PT
Weekly Classes (Single Class)

Hybrid Santa Monica Community Dharma Nights

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

Past Events - Teacher and Office Team view only

Hybrid Santa Monica Community Dharma Nights

Wednesday
July 9, 2025
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM PT
Weekly Classes (Single Class)

Mary & Joseph Retreat Center Path of Lovingkindess: A Metta Meditation Retreat

Friday
July 4, 2025

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

Hybrid Santa Monica Community Dharma Nights

Wednesday
May 28, 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

Saturday
May 24, 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
May 24, 2025

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