Beth Upton (Anuttara)
Beth has been teaching meditation all over the world since 2014, and the longer she does it, the more she loves it. Her teaching method is unique in that practitioners are given personalized techniques to deepen their practice. She gets to know each of her students individually and guides their practice in the direction in which their innate wisdom blossoms perfectly and is best suited to their daily lives, be they lay practitioners or monks.
Her 10 years as a Buddhist nun have afforded her the immense privilege of practicing meditation in depth and detail. She has been able to deepen her insights through the supportive blessings of wise masters and teachers. Her first five years were spent in Myanmar (Burma) under the guidance of Pa Auk Sayadaw in the Theravada tradition. She then spent another five years in several other Buddhist schools and many months on long individual retreats in various caves and forests. As she regards this period as the greatest gift of her life, she strives with grateful devotion to provide the opportunity for others to practice.
Beth decided to leave the monastic order in 2018. This has brought her the wonderful opportunity as a learning path to integrate the challenges of Western secular life into her Dharma practice. Through this process, not only has her appreciation of the Dharma deepened, but also her understanding of her disciples.
In addition to teaching meditation, she is also enthusiastic about community building and considers it a high priority. She is currently leading and building the Sanditthika Community in Almeria, in southern Spain.
Beth Upton's web site
Please visit Beth's English web site.
Sanditthika Spanish community
Please visit the English web site of the Spanish community.
Anna Smetanova
Anna has practiced meditation since 2014, and later served as a translator and retreat manager for various theravada teachers. Since 2021 she has practiced with Beth Upton in the tradition of Pa Auk Sayadaw. Anna walked most of her meditation path living a lay life, and nowadays she is supporting students in deepening their meditation practice, and integrating the Damma in their daily life.
Sayalay Sumanā (Kiori Kawai)
Sayalay Sumanā (Kiori Kawai) has practiced meditation since 2009, beginning in the tradition of S.N. Goenka and later deepening her practice at Sayadaw U Pandita's Panditarama Monastery. In 2022 she met Beth Upton, and since then has practiced under Beth's guidance in the lineage of Pa Auk Sayadaw.
Grounded in the Four Noble Truths, she shares the Dhamma by offering her own experience of life and meditation practice, supporting each individual according to their needs.
In 2026 she has temporarily ordained as a nun in Bodh Gaya, India, and continues to extend her period of ordination, cultivating the path with gratitude and humility.
