Practice Resource Guide

Service and Generosity

We learn more about the Buddhist concept of Admirable Friendship

About this Page

Introduction of the Concepts and Practices on this page and how they relate to recovery

How this Concept Applies to Recovery

Service and Generosity

Generosity with our time, energy, and attention is not only of benefit to others on this path. As we become more generous, it also helps us loosen the grip of greed and attachment that caused so much of our own suffering. From the first time we mindfully put a couple of dollars in the offering bowl or introduce ourselves to a newcomer after a meeting, we can start to feel the benefit of being generous without asking for thanks. In our meditation practice, we learn through direct experience how our bodies and our wealth are impermanent, and this insight makes us more willing to do good with them while we still have them. Sharing our experience at a meeting, or even simply meditating along with others and giving our silent encouragement and support, is an act of kindness that benefits both ourselves and our sangha.

How The Practice Helps

Three Jewels Inquiry Practice

Refuge in Dharma (Buddhist Wisdom)

  • Learn how the practice of serving others is a powerful tool for healing.

Refuge in Buddha (Inner Wisdom)

  • Explore our own experience with service and genrosity

Refuge in Sangha (Community Wisdom)

  • Integrate personal practice with service and generosity

Refuge in the Dharma

Practices that explore and deepen understanding of the Concepts

The Path

Read the Book

Wise Friends

Links to the chapter of the book on which the rest of this page is based.

The Path and Growth

Listen to Talks

Cultivating Community

Here is a talk that helps expand on the Third Noble Truth.

Scroll down to the Playlists for links to more recorded talks meditation, articles, and books.

Use the phrases listed under Concepts to search for relevant talks and meditations in Buddhist Sources.

Growth

Learn about the Concepts

Refuge in the Buddha

Practices that connect us to our deepest Wisdom

Meditation

Rewire the Brain for Recovery

Practicing just one of these can be beneficial.

Mindfulness of Sound

Pause several times a day for 30-90 seconds

  • Listen for sounds, notice how they can be heard even without "reaching" for them.

  • Remember to breathe

Mantra Practice

Repeat a supportive phrase

  • May I be kind and gentle with myself

Sitting Meditation

Take time to sit in meditation

  • Compassion: Script | Recording

Inquiry and Investigation

Explore and Experience

If you need inspiration with this part of the practice, return to the Inquiry heading on the Title Page of the Practice Guide

Remember

List some acts of generosity that you have seen within a Recovery Dharma Sangha Group.

What are some acts of generosity that you have practiced with your Recovery Dharma Sangha Group?

What are some of the ways that acts of generosity might support and strengthen your path of recovery?

What acts of generosity seem too big or intimidating for you?

Speak with your wise friends and mentors about their experiences with generous acts with the sangha group.

Inquire about more opportunities to serve with your sangha group. Share with others the benefits you receive from Generosity Practice.

Renunciation

Practice Letting Go

Craving

Buddhism describes the experience of craving or greed as poison, fire, or a hindrance to mindfulness.

Antidotes

  • Calming the mind

  • Remembering Impermanence

Refuge in the Sangha

Practices that cultivate connections with wise friends and mentors

Meetings

Attend and Befriend


Wise Friends and Mentors

Develop Deep Connection


Wise Friends and Mentors

Find

Connect

Contribute

This week

Generosity and Connection

  • Find meetings to attend

  • start to participate in meetings by sharing or reading.

  • Practice repeating the Loving Kindness (Metta) meditations for yourself and others throughout the day.

  • Start to reach out to others between meetings

    • Find out if the meeting has a discussion board

    • Start to reach out between meetings.

Core Intentions

Support the Sangha


Playlist
 Connect with others who have traveled this path. Each of the links on this list addresses the concepts of this section. So feel free to start with any link. If none of these recordings interest you, then use the concepts listed under the Growth heading to search for talks from the Buddhist Sources page.

Insight Community

Insight

Retreats

Thai Forest / Theravada

Secular, Academic, Therapeutic

Secular | Academic

Buddhist Community

Zen


Tibetan


Amplified Voices


Workbooks


Books