Practice Resource Guide

Wise Friends

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

Wise Friends

Many—if not most—recovery meetings are focused on meditating together, reading literature or exploring specific topics, and sharing. There are no requirements for attendance other than a respectful curiosity, and attending meetings are a great opportunity for newcomers to visit and learn about the program. Sometimes, those who have decided to commit to this program of recovery want more support on the path. This is where the idea of a “wise friend” or “mentor” comes in.

How the Practice Helps

Three Jewels Inquiry Practice

Refuge in Dharma (Buddhist Wisdom)


Refuge in Buddha (Inner Wisdom)


Refuge in Sangha (Community Wisdom)


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

Community and Sangha

A partial list of concepts that arise with this week's practice

Look for these concepts in the readings and recordings.

Refuge in the Buddha

Practices that connect us to our deepest Wisdom

Meditation

Rewire the Brain for Recovery

Mindfulness of Body

Pause several times a day for 30-90 seconds to do a mini-scan of a section of your body

  • Head to shoulders

  • Shoulders to arms

  • Chest to bottom

  • Hips to feet

Equanimity Mantra Practice

Repeat a supportive phrase

  • May I find peace exactly where I am

Sitting Practice

Take time to sit in meditation

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

RAIN
Recognize | Allow | Inquire | Nurture

INQUIRIES

  • What is an indicator that this might be a safe place to begin healing?

  • What would you look for in a peer in recovery?

  • What are some examples of your acting kindly towards others and yourself?

  • How do you recognize and cultivate dharma friendships that are supportive and healing?

  • How can engaging in dharma friendships cultivate curiosity, kindness, compassion and renunciation?

  • How have others found dharma friends and mentors?

Renunciation

Practice Letting Go

Renunciation -Learning to Let Go

Under Construction.

In the meantime, feel free to explore how these practices around refuge support the rest of the concepts on this page.

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

Thai Forrest / Theravada

Secular, Academic, Therapeutic

Secular | Academic

Buddhist Recovery

Zen


Tibetan


Amplified Voices


Workbooks


Books