Michele McDonald has taught Insight meditation for twenty-six years. Beyond her commitment to the Vipassana Hawai'i Sangha in Honolulu, she has taught extensively throughout the United States, and regularly teaches in Canada, Burma, and elsewhere around the world.

Having worked with a wide range of Asian and Western teachers, Michele is most inspired by her practice with Dipa Ma and Sayadaw U Pandita and more recently in Burma with the Mya Taung Sayadaw.

She appreciates teaching at many levels of practice and has enjoyed teaching three-month retreats for experienced students as well as developing meditation retreats for youth.

Her style of teaching emphasizes helping individuals find entry points into stillness that are natural for them. She encourages an understanding the path of insight and a gentle strengthening of mindfulness and concentration so that, ultimately, people can access the peaceful depths of their experience in every moment. Michele is thrilled when students begin to love their practice.

See also Offering the Teachings and Michele's Articles.

Michele's Schedule

Please note: As well as Vipassana Hawai'i retreats, Michele teaches a number of retreats that are not sponsored by Vipassana Hawai'i. We list her complete schedule here for the convenience of her students. For non-VH retreats please follow the links below to get further information from the sponsoring organization.

2008 Retreats
May 30 - June 15	Metta Michele, Rebecca, and Patricia Vipassana Retreat at Insight Meditation Society Please use the contact form (found at the bottom of the page) to state your interest and get more information.
July 4 - 12	VIPASSANA RETREAT (click here for more info) Teachers: Steven and Michele St. Anthony Retreat Center, Honolulu, Hawai'i
August 8 - 18	Vallecitos, New Mexico Steve and Michele Please use the contact form (found at the bottom of the page) to state your interest and get more information.
August 22 - 31	Italy Steve and Michele Please use the contact form (found at the bottom of the page) to state your interest and get more information.
Oct 17 - Oct 24	10 Day Vipassana Retreat with Michele McDonalad and Jesse Vega-Frey at Stone Circles, North Carolina.
October 31 - November 7	Cloud Mountain, Washington Michele and Linda McDonald Please use the contact form (found at the bottom of the page) to state your interest and get more information.
November 14 -16	West Coast Dharma Weekend Vancouver, BC Michele Please use the contact form (found at the bottom of the page) to state your interest and get more information.
November 18 - 23	Sea to Sky BC. Canada Michele and Linda McDonald Please use the contact form (found at the bottom of the page) to state your interest and get more information.
30 Dec. - 8 Jan. 2009	Vipassana with Mindful Yoga, Klong Long, Thailand
15 January - 5 February 2009	Kyaswa Retreat Sagaing Hills, Burma Sayadaw U Lakkhana Michele McDonald Rebecca Bradshaw
Apr 24 - May 2	HONOLULU VIPASSANA RETREAT (Click here for more information.) With Sayadaw U Lakhana , and Grahame White
Jul 10 - Jul 17	SONOMA VIPASSANA RETREAT (Click here for more information.) With Grahame White
Jul 25 - Aug 1	ABHIDHAMMA/VIPASSANA ON-RESIDENTIAL RETREAT, HONOLULU (Click here for more information.) With Grahame White, and Daw Agganyani