What Is the Mindfulness Practice Center of Fairfax (mpcf.org)?

Updated

The Mindfulness Practice Center of Fairfax (MPCF) is a mindfulness practice community in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, based in Fairfax, Virginia. Its website, mpcf.org, is the center's public hub for its weekly calendar, workshops, classes, retreats, regular meditation sessions, and mindfulness resources. It is relevant if you are looking for a practice group in this tradition—particularly one offering both online and in-person programs in the Northern Virginia / Washington, DC area—or if you want to support the center through donations or sponsorship.

What MPCF offers

The center describes mindfulness as "our inherent capacity of healing and renewal" and as the basis for transforming ourselves and creating a more harmonious family and society. Its practice centers on awareness of the body, feelings, mind, and world, supported by conscious breathing.

Programs listed on the site fall into these categories:

Program type Format Example from the site
Online mindfulness workshop Zoom Saturday, October 24, 2026, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM Eastern
Five Mindfulness Trainings class Online Six Thursday evenings starting October 22, 2026, 7:00–9:15 PM Eastern (no class Thanksgiving Day)
Mindful Nature Walk In person Sunday, October 25, 2026, 1:00–4:00 PM at Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
In-person mindfulness workshop In person Chapel of UUCF (to be scheduled)
Deep Relaxation and Healing Movements class Online To be scheduled
Regular meditation sessions Online Mornings Tuesday–Friday, 7:00–8:00 AM; Thursday evening, 7:00–9:00 PM Eastern

The site also links to selected mindfulness practices for people in situations of violence, natural disaster, or war; a collection of songs and guided meditations by Anh-Huong Nguyen; and the teachers' message on the spread of COVID-19.

How to use the site

  1. Check the weekly calendar and upcoming events to see what is currently scheduled. The site notes which events are open for registration (for example, the October 2026 online workshop and the Five Mindfulness Trainings class).
  2. Confirm format and location before attending. Online programs run via Zoom; in-person events list a specific venue, such as Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD, or the chapel of UUCF. Some in-person offerings are marked "to be scheduled," so verify before traveling.
  3. Join a regular session if you want ongoing practice rather than a one-time event—morning sessions run Tuesday through Friday, with a longer Thursday evening session.
  4. Subscribe to the mailing list for updates on events, retreats, workshops, and classes. The site also provides an unsubscribe option.
  5. Support the center through contributions and donations, or by becoming a sponsor of MPCF, if you wish to help sustain its activities.

What to keep in mind

  • Time zone: All listed times are Eastern Time, so adjust accordingly if you are joining online from elsewhere.
  • Registration status varies: Some events are explicitly open for registration, while others are listed as "to be scheduled." Treat the latter as tentative.
  • Pricing is not stated on the page: The site mentions donations, sponsorship, and a mailing list subscription, but the provided page content does not list fees for workshops or classes. Check the individual event pages or contact the center before assuming a program is free.
  • Tradition matters: MPCF follows the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, so its framing of mindfulness—ethical trainings, community practice, and engaged awareness—reflects that lineage rather than a secular, clinical model.

For anyone in the Fairfax area or online, mpcf.org is best used as a scheduling and registration entry point: review the calendar, pick an event that matches your preferred format, and subscribe to the mailing list so you learn when tentative programs are confirmed.