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) 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)

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Monday Meditation Group

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

Online Basics of Mindfulness: Coming Home to the Present

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

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)

Past Events - Teacher and Office Team view only

Online Learning the Deep, Profound, and Practical Buddhists Texts

Thursday
July 1, 2021
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Series)

Online Learning the Deep, Profound, and Practical Buddhists Texts

Thursday
June 24, 2021
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Series)

Online Learning the Deep, Profound, and Practical Buddhists Texts

Thursday
June 17, 2021
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Series)

Online Learning the Deep, Profound, and Practical Buddhists Texts

Thursday
June 3, 2021
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Series)