We are a diverse group of people of many cultures, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, faiths or traditions, ages, classes, and disabilities and abilities. Some individuals identify as Buddhist and others do not. We have a core group of people who attend regularly, while others come when they can.

There is a small library of books that members can sign out. We also have a general listserv to notify members of events and cancellations, and a smaller listserv for organizing and decision-making. Usually, individuals attend a meditation evening before deciding whether they would like to join the listserv. Please contact us if you have any questions or would like more information.

Background

The Mindfulness Practice Community of Vancouver (MPCV) was created as the Mindfulness Practice Centre of Vancouver in Sept 1998 by Jeanie Seward Magee with the support of her husband John Magee. Jeanie had been studying and practicing Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings and was inspired to create a mindfulness practice centre in Vancouver.

Initially, MPCV’s home was located on West 12th Avenue near Arbutus. Jeanie and John facilitated the sittings on Sundays, and also had sittings on Wednesday. As the number of core members grew, more of the community assisted in the facilitation of the evenings.

In 2001, Jeanie and John left Vancouver to live in Bermuda. The community (also known as “sangha”) continued on at different locations: in Kits, near Main and Broadway, in sangha members’ homes, in Kits again, before taking a short break.

In 2004, MPCV found its new home on the eastside with the Listening Post and with that, a slight name change to Mindfulness Practice Community of Vancouver. Since its inception, it has been a peer-led meditation sitting. MCPV utilizes the teachings and practices of Thich Nhat Hanh to help its members to experience greater ease, freedom, and peace in their lives.