Embedded Files
We are friends in Recovery Dharma. We take action for our recovery
BASIC MEETINGS
BASIC MEETINGS
RD Script Alternatives
RD Script Alternatives
Different wording or presentation of the basic Recovery Dharma Script
Section by Section
Section by Section
Each link goes to a page that shows all different ways to present that section of the script
Group Practice Guides
Group Practice Guides
Each link goes to a guide that breaks down how some of us have organized our meetings
Meeting Materials - Principles on listing Meditations & Readings on RDFA
Meeting Help - Some options for participants to become more engaged with meeting service
Consensus Process - One way to make decisions as a community
Training Videos
DHARMA CIRCLES
DHARMA CIRCLES
Dharma Friends Circle
Dharma Friends Circle
A smallish (5 -15?) group of Recovery Dharma Friends who share a common Affinity Issue
Meeting: The people who regularly stay after a meeting to continue casual chat
Common identities: race, gender, orientation, diagnoses, etc.
Common struggles with harmful and reptitive behaviors: food, sex, substances, self harm, debting, codependency, ocd, under earning, over- under- or binge-eating
We met others through regular meetings, getting contact information and cultivating friendships through outreach texts and calls.
We started to notice connections and commonalities between friends
We started a texting group of 6 - 15 people to get everyone in the same "room." (Email burst, WhatsApp, Signal, FB messenger etc.)
We practiced and supported each other in various ways. Various ideas include:
Starting Place:
Some groups structured our practice around a weekly reading an inquiry
Many of us found that we did not need to be on the same reading to be able to support each other around the Affinity Issue.
Sharing: Sometimes we were able to find a common time to meet by by video or voice conference, but that did not always happen. Usually, before we were able to find a common time, we shared in the texting group or set up times with other individuals from the Circle.
Through text, calls or meetings, we shared things like:
What practices we were going to attempt this week (Read, Listen, Meditate, Practice, Meetings, Outreach calls etc.)
Noting the processes (eg. pleasant, neutral or unpleasant? Easy, neutral or difficult? New insights, shifting understanding or nothing new? Exciting or Boring?)
Reflections and Insights: (eg insights after reading, meditating or writing, or perhaps the writing directly from the page)
Application and Dedication: Wondering how all of this might benefit how we engage with the Affinity Issue or generally with our Buddhist practices of refuge, wise understanding, ethical action, and engaged practice.
Dharma Action Circle
Dharma Action Circle
Small circles of friends (2 - 3?) who agree to meet regularly to deepen understanding, provide stable support and help each other develop action plan
For all of our recovery issues, we have found the basic practices of Buddhist Recovery to be essential. However, for many of our paths, it is not sufficient. We also need specific life skills around our affinity issues such as food, money, coping with mental health symptoms,
Inquiries: Sharing in depth inquiries
Weekly Struggles and insights with life and practice
4 Truths: Getting clarity of the qualities of our suffering with our particular manifestation of harmful and repetitive behaviors
Recovery Plan: After investigation, developing a plan of letting go of, renouncing or changing our relationship with harmful and repetitive behaviors
Life Skills Note:
Issues such as Food, Money, Technology and Relationships, coping with mental health symptoms all benefit from
INQUIRY / WRITING MEETNGS
INQUIRY / WRITING MEETNGS
Writing Meeting Format
Writing Meeting Format
Start with a standard RD Meeting format
Extend the time of the meeting by 30 - 60 minutes (depending on size & other variables)
Use standard Opening, meditation and reading
After reading, allow members to silently write, draw or contemplate inquiry prompts for 5 - 10 minutes.
Come back together to share
Either in pairs, pairs that report out or just back as a whole group
Members can choose to share either their writings, art or their insights from the process (no need for everyone to share exactly the same way)
Close meeting as usual
Repeat as desired - as a special event (every month or two) or a regular weekly meeting
WORKSHOPS
WORKSHOPS
Workshop Format
Workshop Format
Some of us think of a workshop as an extended meeting - giving members opportunities to meditate, listen to teachings and to share. The difference is that there is less need for opening readings (unless you really like them as a centering meditation) and there is an extended amount of time (4 - 8 hours) There can be additional rounds and spaciousness of listening - to each other and to dharma talks.
Below is one sample format. The idea of the outline below is to give members options for different ways to organize the workshop. Instead of trying to complete all sections, choose 2 or 3 for a half day workshop. Use this basic outline and "fill in the blanks" with content from one of the pages from the Book Study section of the RDFA Site.
How do we organize a workshop?
How do we organize a workshop?
Set up
Set up
Practice Materials: Go to Inquiry page and choose a section of the book
Arrange to meet (one-time, monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly) for 4 hours
Allow for expanded spaciousness with time
Choose only 2-3 of the components listed below
Times listed reflect differences in size of group
In addition to the time for the components, workshops benefit from an additional 30 minutes calculated for housekeeping tasks and breaks
Meditate (15-30 minutes)
Meditate (15-30 minutes)
Read or listen to one of the meditations
Read | Discuss (30 – 60 minutes)
Read | Discuss (30 – 60 minutes)
Reading: Choose 1 – 3 paragraphs to read
Discussion: Chose a section of highlighted text from within those 1-3 paragraphs
Listen / Watch(90 – 120 minutes)
Listen / Watch(90 – 120 minutes)
Choose one of the Dharma talks (Video Preferred – tech required)
Reflect
Reflect
Was anything from the recording surprising or new information?
What was a takeaway phrase?
How does this apply to or help with this path of recovery?
Write (60 – 90 minutes)
Write (60 – 90 minutes)
Each person chooses an inquiry from the options on the topic page
Each person writes or contemplates for 15 – 30 minutes
In groups of 2-3 participants share either writing, or insights from writing
Sharer chooses if they would like to hear reflections from listeners Refection questions from dharma talk section are helpful discussion starters)
Close (Always) (10 – 20 Minutes)
Close (Always) (10 – 20 Minutes)
Word of felt experience
Insights and surprises from the process
Plans for next steps
Group Follow up and action plan
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse