Practice Resource Guide

Wise Effort

We spend time deepening our understanding of how effort manifests in our lives.

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 Effort

In early recovery, we may be most interested in damage control: simply stopping the destruction and demoralization we have suffered through our habitual, unskillful responses to craving. We can begin by awareness of that craving, and learning to make different choices that don’t trigger the craving. Sometimes awareness is enough; sometimes that’s all the effort we can muster. As we learn more skillful responses to our triggers, we gain space to have more compassion, lovingkindness, generosity, and forgiveness.

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 Effort

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

  • Wise Speech: Page 41

  • Read from PDF version of the book

  • Listen to the chapter on our Audiobook

Buddhist Community

Scroll down to the Growth section of this page for links to talks and guided meditations led by Buddhist teachers. Choose one, then listen or watch.

The Path and Growth

Listen to Talks

Equanimity

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

Stay Curious

Refuge in Dharma - The Path

Lists

Refuge in the Buddha

Practices that connect us to our deepest Wisdom

Meditation

Rewire the Brain for Recovery

Mindfulness of Sound

Pause several times a day for 30-90 seconds

  • Notice the sounds that arise around you

  • Practice just letting them be received in your ear rather than going looking for them.

Mantra: Compassion Phrases

Several times a day, pause to repeat a supportive phrase for a few moments

  • May I be kind and gentle with myself

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

  • What are some behaviors that are causing harm to myself and others?

  • What action have I taken, or can take, to make more connections with others on this path?

  • What is something new I have learned so far through reading, meetings, or listening to talks?

  • What are the unwholesome thoughts and actions that arise as harmful and repetitive behaviors in my life?

  • Are there harmful and repetitive behaviors that I would like to practice letting go of?

  • Have there been times when I have been able to let go of harmful and repetitive behaviors?

Renunciation

Practice Letting 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


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

Talks

Series, Collections & Topic Pages

Retreats

Thai Forest, Theravada

Secular, Academic, Therapeutic

Buddhist Recovery


Zen

Zen

Tibetan


Amplified Voices


Workbooks

Books