Book Study
Where to begin?
Meeting Resources
Use this section if you are looking for a meditation, reading, or discussion topic for a meeting.
Read the Book Study page for more ideas on how to work with this page.
Format Options
RD Meditation
Mindfulness
Mindfulness
Mindfulness Meditation
Breath and Body - RD Script
Mindfulness of Breath - RD Recording
RD Meditation
Concentration
Concentration
Concentration Meditation
Compassion RD Script
Compassion - RD Recording
Other Sources
Mindfulness & Concentration
Mindfulness & Concentration
Recorded Meditation
Intro to meditation - Portland IMC
Compassion - Spirit Rock IMC
RD Book Reading
The Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and Meditation
Read
Start: Page xii, 1st paragraph: “So, how can we...”
End: 4th paragraph: “...self knowledge.”
Length: 4 paragraphs / 296 words / ~ 2 minutes
Discuss
What gives us confidence that this path can help?
Which action steps from the Eightfold Path have worked for us, or are we curious to try?
What does "regular meditation practice" mean?
RD Book Reading
Taking Refuge in Buddhist Concepts, the Community, & our own Ability to Recover
Read
Start: Page xii, 5th Paragraph: "The following..."
End: Page xiii, 1st paragraph: "...It’s a path of freedom."
Length: 4 paragraphs, 123 words ~ 2 minutes
Discuss
Practicing with the three jewels is a way of developing wisdom, ethics and spiritual practice
A wise friend can be of great help in deepening understanding
Our path is not a checklist, but rather a practice with options
Practice Resources
- Use this section of the page to support pracdtice between meetings
Read the Book Study Title Page for more guidance on how to work with this section.
Refuge in the Dharma
Path
Choose just one of the readings or the whole chapter to read, underline and study.
Think, write, or talk about the title of the reading or the discussion topics listed under the reading
Growth
If you have time or interest, listen to these recordings - either as a study session or in the background as "Darma Radio."
Refuge in the Buddha
Meditation
Pause - one to three times a day - for a minute or two - to practice any of the following meditations.
Mindfulness of Breath or Body: Take 3 to 10 deep breaths (4 counts in, 8 counts out) with Kindness and Curiosity.
Concentration on Compassion: Repeat to yourself: "May I be kind and gentle with myself."
Inquiry
List five of your most important values (i.e. honesty, compassion, kindness etc). Write briefly about why each one is important to you.
Renunciation
Pause to think or write about what happens after you experience a craving or using behavior - how do you feel emotionally or physically?
Refuge in the Sangha
Notice how your insights from this practice relate to the meetings you attend this week.
Sangha, Wise Friends Mentors
Ask friends about their practices around wise friends or mentorship.
Sangha Support
Use this section to integrate Personal Practice with Sangha Practice
Read the Book Study Title Page for more guidance on how to work with this section.