Melissa McKay

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

New Years sparklers

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

Sunday
December 29, 2024

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

This class is full. Log in to register for waitlist.

Hybrid Santa Monica Community Dharma Nights

Wednesday
January 1, 2025
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM PT
Practice Groups (Single Class)

Past Events - Teacher and Office Team view only

Online (Online) Sundays Together

Sunday
July 17, 2022
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM PT
Practice Groups (Single Class)

Experienced, Introductory

Benedict Canyon Retreat House Metta Practice: A 1-Day or 2-Day Retreat

Saturday
July 9, 2022
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM PT
Non-Residential Retreats (Single Day)

Benedict Canyon Retreat House Vipassana Retreat: A 1 or 2-Day Retreat

Sunday
June 5, 2022
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM PT
Non-Residential Retreats (Single Day)

Online Vipassana Retreat: A 1 or 2-Day Retreat

Saturday
June 4, 2022
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM PT
Non-Residential Retreats (Single Day)

Benedict Canyon Retreat House Vipassana Retreat: A 1 or 2-Day Retreat

Saturday
June 4, 2022
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM PT
Non-Residential Retreats (Single Day)
Waitlist

Online (Online) Sundays Together

Sunday
April 17, 2022
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM PT
Practice Groups (Single Class)

Experienced, Introductory

Online Buddhist Tools for Stress

Monday
April 4, 2022
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PT
Buddhist Teachings (Series)

Online (Online) Sundays Together

Sunday
March 20, 2022
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM PT
Practice Groups (Single Class)

Experienced, Introductory

Benedict Canyon Retreat House (Hybrid: In-Person) Living from the Heart: A Two-Day Retreat

Saturday
February 19, 2022

3 days 10:00 AM - 10:00 AM PT
Non-Residential Retreats (Multi Day Retreat)

Online Mindful Intermittent Fasting

Tuesday
January 18, 2022
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM PT
Mindfulness for Beginners (Series)

Experienced, Introductory

Buddha

Online A Gentle New Year’s Eve

Friday
December 31, 2021
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM PT
Special Events (Single Class)

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)

Online Mindful Intermittent Fasting

Wednesday
September 8, 2021
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM PT
Mindfulness for Beginners (Series)

Experienced, Introductory