Satipatthana Vipassana is the meditation method taught by the Buddha as the direct and only way to Nibbana. Satipatthana is also referred to as the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, among other terms.

The Four Foundations, or bases, are the Contemplation of the Body (Kaya), Feelings (Vedana), the Mind (Citta) and Dhamma (Dhamma). By applying mindfulness (Sati) earnestly, the practitioner discards the past and the future and remains aware only of the present moment. In this way, one learns to see the nature of all things as Impermanent (Anicca), Suffering (Dukkha), Not Self (Anatta).

The scope of basic Satipatthana practise is very wide, ranging from Anapanasati (Mindfulness of the Breath) to Kayagatasati (Mindfulness of the Body). Because of this range, and because of the differences in practitioners' temperaments and personality, the Venerable teachers of MDC try to customize methods that suit the individual practitioner. This close teacher-student relationship helps practitioners to gain confidence and faith in their practice, and hence help themselves make substantial advances in their meditation practise.