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

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

Saturday
December 19, 2026
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 19, 2026
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM PT
Non-Residential Retreats (Single Day)

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

Sunday
December 20, 2026
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

Sunday
December 20, 2026
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM PT
Non-Residential Retreats (Single Day)

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Monday Meditation Group

Monday
December 21, 2026
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

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

Monday
December 28, 2026

5 days 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM PT
Residential Retreats (Multi Day Retreat)

Past Events - Teacher and Office Team view only

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

Sunday
May 17, 2026
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PT
Weekly Classes (Single Class)

Online (Hybrid: Online) Sundays Together

Sunday
May 17, 2026
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PT
Weekly Classes (Single Class)

Experienced, Introductory

Online Morning Community Sit – Every Monday through Friday

Monday
April 27, 2026
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Online Morning Community Sit – Every Monday through Friday

Friday
April 24, 2026
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Online Morning Community Sit – Every Monday through Friday

Thursday
April 23, 2026
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Online Unplug to Reconnect: Weekend Online Digital Detox & Meditation Retreat

Friday
April 17, 2026

3 days 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM PT
Non-Residential Retreats (Multi Day Retreat)

Online Basics of Mindfulness: Coming Home to the Present

Monday
April 6, 2026
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Series)