What we’re about
This is a group dedicated to coming together as a community (sangha) to meditate together and be inspired to practice mindfulness in our daily lives. We follow the teachings and practice of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. We welcome folks from all walks of life and all levels of experience with meditation. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, and there will by opportunity for discussion.
For more information, please go to our website: http://mindfulnessvancouver.org/
We are also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/254887791596360/
Upcoming events (4)
See all- UPDATE FOR MAY 11, 2025 Sangha Gathering, 6:30 – 8:30pm, In Person at REACHREACH Community Health Centre, Vancouver, BC
Dear Sangha,
Our in person gatherings (on the second Sunday of each month, 6:30 – 8:30pm) are at the REACH Community Health Centre in East Vancouver. For details, see http://mindfulnessvancouver.org/practice/.
The sangha is very grateful to the REACH Community Health Center for hosting us, and we invite all members of the REACH community (clients, staff, neighbors) to join us!-
Address: 1145 Commercial Drive, Vancouver BC V5L 3X3.
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Please arrive no later than 6:35pm, so that we can let you in the building on time. The building will be locked and not accessible for those arriving late.
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To Bring: Your own cushion, mat, blanket, pillow, or other materials to make your meditation as comfortable as possible. Chairs will be supplied, but we will not have cushions or mats available.
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Masking is optional to protect the health of our sangha members
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Being Mindful About the Use of Scents: Please practice kindness for those with sensitivities to scented products by refraining from wearing perfumes and similar scented products when practicing with MPC.
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Practicing Generosity: We will share any donations (optional) received 50/50 with REACH Community Health Centre.
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- The Buddha The Scientist: Mindfulness As A Foundation For Health RetreatUBC Vancouver, Vancouver, BC
DO NOT RSVP VIA MEETUP
Registration is coming soon. Details and registration at:
https://www.goingasariver.org/events-monastic-tour-2025/vancouver-ubc-4-day-non-residential-retreat-english-speakingThis is part of a larger tour of Western Canada offered by Plum Village Monastics. https://www.goingasariver.org/events-monastic-tour-2025. This is not an official Mindfulness Practice Community of Vancouver event, but we hope many of our sangha friends may be interested and benefit from this.
The Buddha The Scientist: Mindfulness As A Foundation For Health Retreat
MAY 16-19, 2025UBC, Vancouver 4-day Non-residential retreat
(English speaking)The Mindfulness As A Foundation For Health Retreat offers a transformative opportunity to immerse yourself in the practice of mindfulness in the serene setting of UBC’s Point Grey campus in Vancouver.
From May 16-20, 2025, this retreat invites participants to cultivate presence, peace, and insight through guided meditation, walking meditation, mindful eating, and periods of noble silence, all under the guidance of Zen Buddhist monastics from Plum Village and Deer Park Monasteries.
On May 20, 2025, the retreat will conclude with The Buddha the Scientist Symposium, which invites scientists from around North America to explore the intersection of Buddhism, psychology, and neuroscience through the embodied practice of mindfulness. The symposium combines mindfulness practice with groundbreaking scientific inquiry and discussion.
You may sign up for the Retreat + Symposium or just the Symposium.About the Retreat:
Rooted in the teachings of Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh, this retreat emphasizes the integration of mindfulness into daily life, providing a nurturing environment to slow down, connect with the present moment, and deepen your meditation practice.Participants will have the rare opportunity to join scientists and scholars in shared mindfulness activities, creating a space where contemplative practice informs and enriches intellectual exploration.
Whether you are new to mindfulness or a seasoned practitioner, this retreat will support your journey of inner transformation and cultivate the clarity and compassion needed to make meaningful impacts in your life and the world.
Sample Schedule: (final schedule to be confirmed)
8am - 6pm daily:- Sitting Meditation
- Dharma Talk
- Walking Meditation
- Mindful Lunch
- Deep Relaxation
- Dharma Sharing
- Panel/Q&A
Mindful Retreat Guidelines:
Health
Many friends have experienced lessened anxiety, a lifting of depression and improvements in general wellbeing through mindfulness practice. However, we urge all friends to continue any medication or treatment prescribed by your health care practitioner during your stay.
If you suffer from any chronic long term mental or physical illnesses, please let us know, and ask your doctor if it is advisable for you to attend a retreat with us. Please be aware that we cannot provide any professional care. If you have any concerns regarding this matter please ask us for clarification.
The art of mindful living
Coming to a Plum Village retreat is an opportunity to enjoy simple and peaceful living, and to learn how to cultivate the energy of mindfulness, so we can have more freedom, peace and happiness in our daily life. It is also a chance to nurture our inner growth as we take time to look deeply in order to transform both our individual difficulties and the difficulties in our society.
At Plum Village we learn how to weave mindfulness into all our daily activities, and live each moment of life more deeply. We practice meditation throughout the day – while eating, walking, sitting, or simply enjoying a cup of tea together.
Internet and telephone
During the retreat, please also give your cell phone and Internet a retreat. Only access Internet for urgent purposes.
Please remember to put an auto-response on your email, to make all your travel arrangements, and have a copy of your travel documents before you arrive.
We recommend asking friends & family to support your retreat by limiting phone communication (you could arrange a specific day to check messages or make a call).
The 5 Mindfulness Trainings
As part of your practice on retreat, we ask you to support the mindful practice atmosphere by following the principles of mindful and ethical living as expressed in the Five Mindfulness Trainings. The Five Mindfulness Trainings are the foundation of the Plum Village community, bringing happiness and meaning to all that we do. Specifically, we request that all retreatants refrain from sexual activity, smoking and drinking alcohol or consuming drugs. In Plum Village we follow a vegan diet, and respectfully ask you not to bring any non-vegetarian foods to the retreat.
Mindful Eating
Lunch and snacks will be provided. We will enjoy our lunch together in mindfulness. We usually have 15-20 minutes of silent eating during this time. Eating in silence helps us appreciate the food deeply, and cherish the presence of those around us. You can read more about our practice of mindful eating here.
What to bring
Essentials:
- travel mug
- refillable water bottle
- napkin
- eating utensils
- sunscreen
- sun hat
Optional:
- meditation cushion
- yoga mat
- shawl
What to wear
Plum Village retreats welcome diverse cultures. To respect and support our collective energy of practice, we ask everyone to wear modest, loose-fitting clothes at all times. Please wear only clothes that fully cover your shoulders, chest, back and legs past the knees. You may find a light shawl handy. Please do not wear shorts, hot pants, tank tops, short dresses and so on. Please bring appropriate layers and footwear for the weather and nature walks around the UBC campus. - The Buddha The Scientist: Mindfulness As A Foundation For Health Hybrid SymposiuNeeds location
PLEASE DO NOT RSVP VIA MEETUP
Registration + further details will be available at this website, please check here in a few weeks. https://www.goingasariver.org/events-monastic-tour-2025/vancouver-ubc-symposium
This is part of a larger tour of Western Canada offered by Plum Village Monastics. https://www.goingasariver.org/events-monastic-tour-2025. This is not an official Mindfulness Practice Community of Vancouver event, but we hope many of our sangha friends may be interested and benefit from this.
The Buddha The Scientist: Mindfulness As A Foundation For Health Hybrid Symposium
MAY 20, 2025
UBC Symposium
(English speaking)
The Buddha the Scientist Hybrid Symposium will be offered online and in-person at the Asian Centre at UBC. It concludes a 4-day retreat, and invites scientists from around the world to explore the intersection of Buddhism, psychology, and neuroscience through the embodied practice of mindfulness. The symposium combines mindfulness practice with groundbreaking scientific inquiry and discussion.
Inspired by “The Buddha, the Scientist” series held at Deer Park Monastery (2022, 2023) and Dartmouth College (2025), this retreat and symposium brings Thích Nhất Hạnh’s vision of integrating mindfulness into scientific communities to life.
Virtual and in-person attendees will experience the unique format of practicing mindfulness alongside scholars, who then present their research in a reflective, inspirational symposium. Following the presentations, a panel Q&A will offer opportunities for meaningful dialogue. A vegetarian lunch will be provided for those who attend in-person.
Our aspiration is to support you in deepening your mindfulness practice while offering profound insights into how Buddhist wisdom and scientific discovery can unite to create lasting solutions for the world. ~ Brother Pháp Lưu
This event is co-hosted by UBC’s Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhism and Contemporary Society, The BC Children’s Hospital Centre for Mindfulness, and Monastics from Plum Village and Deer Park Monasteries
The cost for this in-person 1-Day Symposium on May 20th is $30. When registering, you may choose whether to attend the full 5-day Retreat or just the 1-day Symposium. Registration to attend the virtual symposium is free.### REGISTER HERE
Presenters:
Dr. Michelle A Williams, Professor of Epidemiology & Population Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health & Stanford University
Dr. David R. Vago, Research Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Dzung X. Vo, Clinical Associate Professor & Adolescent Medicine Specialist, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia & BC Children's Hospital
Brother Pháp Liệu, A cardiologist before ordaining as a novice monk with Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh in 2003. Became a Dharma teacher in the Plum Village tradition in 2010.
Sister Hội Nghiêm, A former school teacher, ordained as a novice with Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh in 1999 and became a Dharma Teacher in 2007. Translator of The Buddha Body, the Buddha Mind, encompassing Thích Nhất Hạnh’s teachings offered during the first neuroscience retreat in Plum Village in 2006.
Brother Pháp Lưu, Ordained in 2003, and became a Dharma Teacher in the Plum Village Tradition in 2011. Co-chair of the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation and Advisory board member for Harvard University’s Thich Nhat Hanh Centre for Mindfulness in Public Health.In 2011, the University of British Columbia had the honour of hosting Thích Nhất Hạnh for a residential meditation retreat and public Dharma Talk. Building on this meaningful experience, UBC is delighted to welcome scholars, scientists, and practitioners for a retreat and public symposium in 2025. This event will offer a unique opportunity to deepen mindfulness practice and explore the intersection of Buddhist wisdom and scientific discovery. All are warmly invited to join this transformative gathering.
The cost for this in-person 1-Day Symposium on May 20th is $30. When registering, you may choose whether to attend the full 5-day Retreat or just the 1-day Symposium. Registration to attend the virtual symposium is free.
