Our teachers teach in the tradition of Luangpor Teean Jittasubho and are associated with both the Mahasati Insight Meditation Association in Massachusetts and the Redding Center for Meditation in Connecticut. Weekly classes in Redding, CT are usually led by our Spiritual Director, Achan Da, or Assistant Director, Achan Niphen—both of whom are ordained Thai Forest monks who studied directly with Luangpor Teean. Weekly classes in Wenham are usually led by Michael Bresnan, Ph.D., with monthly retreats led by Achan Da or Achan Niphen.
Achan Da Nilpant
Achan Da Nilpant is an ordained Thai Forest Monk, and is the Spiritual Director of the Association. He has been teaching meditation for over 35 years, and was a close student of Thai meditation master Luangpor Teean Jittasubho. Before coming to America, Achan Da served as Abbott of the Thatkong monastery near the Laos border in Thailand, and is now Abbott of the Redding Center for Meditation/Wat Sati-Ma in Redding, CT
Achan Da was born in 1951 in Nonsawang village, Roiet Province, in the northeast of Thailand. After being ordained at Supararam Forest Monastery in 1971, he searched out Luangpor Teean based on his growing reputation as an enlightened teacher. Achan Da didn’t actually find and meet Luangpor Teean for two years. But, once he did, he studied under his personal guidance for three years, practicing patiently and diligently, until he reached the end of suffering. Luangpor Teean then encouraged Achan Da to teach throughout Thailand and they worked together until Luangpor Teean’s death in 1988. Achan Da emigrated to America in the late 1990’s where he has been teaching ever since.
Achan Nipen Nontamart
Achan Nipen Nontamart is also an ordained Thai Forest Monk, and has been teaching meditation for over 25 years. He was also a student of the Thai meditation master, Luangpor Teean Jittasubho. Achan Niphen serves as Abbot of the Janlan Forest Monastery in the northeast of Thailand, and as Assistant Abbott of both Wat Sanamnai near Bangkok, and the Redding Center for Meditation/Wat Sati-Ma, in Redding, CT.
Achan Niphen was born in 1960 in Janlan Village, Kalasin, Thailand. Realizing that life was full of suffering, he also searched out Luangpor Teean, and initially began studying with him as a layperson. Practicing earnestly, he soon realized the first stage of roop/nam (body/mind). Soon after this, in 1986, he decided to ordain as a monk. He continued his practice and gradually understood deeper levels of Dhamma. Since then, he has been teaching continuously in both Thailand and America.
Michael Bresnan, Ph.D
Michael has been practicing Mahasati Insight Meditation for over 25 years. He is a licensed psychologist and is founder of the Mahasati Insight Meditation Association, the Redding Center for Meditation/Wat Sati-Ma, located in Redding, CT, and the Center for Mindfulness & Insight Meditation, in Wenham, MA.
Michael began to investigate Buddhist meditation, while in his twenties, as a means to alleviate existential suffering. He studied Zen for several years, before turning to Mahasati Insight Meditation, which he encountered in 1991 after meeting Tavivat Puntarigvivat, a lay student of the Thai meditation master, Lunagpor Teean Jittasubho. In 1992, Michael began studying more intensively with visiting Thai Forest monks, Achan Thong Abhakaro, Achan Da Nilpant, and Achan Niphen Nontamart. Michael quickly realized the value of Mahasati Insight practice and has had a leading role in the introduction of Luangpor Teean’s teaching and practice to the West.
