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

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)

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

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Monday Meditation Group

Monday
May 18, 2026
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Mary & Joseph Retreat Center Metta-Vipassana: Integrating Mindfulness and Metta practices

Wednesday
May 20, 2026

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

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Monday Meditation Group

Monday
May 25, 2026
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Monday Meditation Group

Monday
July 6, 2026
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Mary & Joseph Retreat Center Annual Summer Insight Retreat

Friday
July 10, 2026

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

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Monday Meditation Group

Monday
July 13, 2026
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Single Class)

Past Events - Teacher and Office Team view only

Online A Steady, Peaceful Mind: Developing Concentration

Saturday
November 13, 2021
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM PT
Non-Residential Retreats (Single Day)

Big Bear Retreat Center Seeing Nature: An Insight Meditation Retreat

Saturday
October 23, 2021

7 days 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM PT
Residential Retreats (Multi Day Retreat)