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We are friends in Recovery Dharma. We take action for our recovery
We re-examine some of our basic assumptions and experiences with impermanence, suffering and the fruit of our actions.
About this Page
About this Page
Introduction of the Concepts and Practices on this page and how they relate to recovery
Introduction of the Concepts and Practices on this page and how they relate to recovery
How this Concept Applies to Recovery
How this Concept Applies to Recovery
Wise Understanding
Wise Understanding
As people engaged in the world, rather than withdrawn from it, we can use Wise Understanding to live without clinging, attachment, or craving. By paying attention to our actions and the results of those actions, we can begin to change where our choices are leading. If we intend to act in ways that have positive results, and if we’re aware of the true intention and the nature of our actions, then we’ll see better results—better meaning less suffering and less harm.
Recovery Dharma, Page 21
Without even realizing it, we often assume that terrible things will last forever and try to get rid of them, or we believe that we can make pleasant things last forever by our will.
In our minds, we often downplay the impact that our current actions will have on our future experiences. Or
How The Practice Helps
How The Practice Helps
Radical Acceptance of Thinking Errors
Radical Acceptance of Thinking Errors
All major forms of recovery programs include some aspect of educating about a list of common thinking errors and interventions to fix these cognitive distortions. The practices on this page have a lot in common with these other interventions. However, there are a few differences.
Note that the practice on this page is not the only way to approach this teaching. This is simply how it has worked for me. As a reminder, like all other aspects of this site, these instructions are for a later version of me. This particular aspect of the path has been a major struggle for me because it touches on many external factors including neglect, and messages that I don't belong, or can trust in my own mind. So, there may be more instructions than usual on this particular page. As always, you are welcome to follow or adjust as meets your experience.
Noting Thinking
During meditation, pay attention to thoughts and simply label them as they arise and pass. Some examples include thinking, planning, ruminating, worrying, judging, doubting, or fantasy. Engaging in the practice of first labeling and then allowing them to pass is a powerful practice and often benefits from repetition over a period of time. At first, we don't even notice that we have gotten caught up in the thinking. Like the breath, waking up, accepting that our mind has wandered, and then returning to the practice is an opportunity and celebration in this practice.
Noting Misunderstanding
After a period of time, move to the next layer of practice; perhaps during the second time through the Recovery Dharma program and after having listened to dharma talks and/or attending retreats. The invitation here is to practice noting and recognizing misunderstandings as related to the Three Marks of Existence: Impermanence, causes & conditions, and nonself. Instead of challenging these thoughts, the other option is to note their arising and passing as with the previous practice.
Radical Acceptance
The next possible practice is to welcome the thoughts as new friends. Allowing them to clear the way for new beginnings. In this practice, the option is to keep asking repeated questions - different versions of "What would that mean?" "Why is that important?" "What might happen if that were true?" And then it is "turtles all they way down," (comedic writer Terry Pratchett)
Refuge in the Dharma
Refuge in the Dharma
Practices that explore and deepen understanding of the Concepts
Practices that explore and deepen understanding of the Concepts
The Path and Growth
The Path and Growth
Listen to Talks
Listen to Talks
Impermanence, Causes & Conditions, Spaciousness
Impermanence, Causes & Conditions, Spaciousness
Here is a talk that helps expand on the Third Noble Truth.
Talk
Talk
Growth
Growth
Stay Curious
Refuge in Dharma - Buddhist Wisdom
Refuge in Dharma - Buddhist Wisdom
Belonging
Begin Again
Lists
Lists
Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha
Ten Pāramitās: Perfections or Wise Practices
Five Hindrances: Craving, Resentment, Sloth, Worry, Doubt
Four Heart Practices: Kindness, Compassion, Equanimity, Appreciative Joy
Refuge in the Buddha
Refuge in the Buddha
Practices that connect us to our deepest Wisdom
Practices that connect us to our deepest Wisdom
Meditation
Meditation
Rewire the Brain for Recovery
Concentration Mantra:
Concentration Mantra:
May I be happy, healthy, safe, and live with ease.
Mindfulness Practice:
Mindfulness Practice:
Thinking Error BINGO
Periodically throughout your day, pause to do an inner scan of thoughts with curiosity.
Look at a list of Cognitive Distortions or Thinking errors and take note if any are active.
Later in the day, practice RAIN meditation, exploring one of the thinking errors you noticed during the day
Sitting Meditation
Sitting Meditation
Mindfulness of Thoughts on Insight Timer
RAIN on Tara Brach's Site
Inquiry and Investigation
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
Cognitive Distortions
Buddhist Version
Cognitive Distortions
Buddhist Version
Learning about thinking errors is one of the foundational aspects of many recovery paths. This list has much in common with those lists, but has a specific focus on the Buddhist teaching of the Three Marks of Existence:
Impermanence
Are you acting on a hidden assumption that either a pleasant or an unpleasant situation is going to last forever? (Craving? Difficult life situation? Long stoplight or inconsiderate driver?)
Causes and Conditions
Are you ignoring that many causes and conditions led you to experience this moment? Some were external. Some were internal. Some happened before you were born.
Taking it all Personally
Do you have hidden or obvious beliefs such as this is all your fault; that you are a bad person; that others do not struggle with this issue; or that you need to find a solution yourself?
What would be a Wise and Kind Response?
Now that you have recognized the delusion, you have an opportunity to respond to yourself or to a situation with kindness, compassion, serenity, and even appreciation.
Renunciation
Renunciation
Practice Letting Go
Change Plan
My reasons for letting go of this behavior are
My goals in making this change:
These are the actions I am going to take
I will know my plan is working when I see these results:
Refuge in the Sangha
Refuge in the Sangha
Practices that cultivate connections with wise friends and mentors
Practices that cultivate connections with wise friends and mentors
Meetings
Meetings
Attend and Befriend
Inquiry
Inquiry
When engaging with others in the sangha, take time to pause frequently to inquire about your emerging thoughts and feelings. If your sangha friends have the patience and willingness to engage in this level of intimacy with you, share your insight with them.
This practice can be particularly useful during difficult situations to stay grounded and clear in communications.
Wise Friends and Mentors
Wise Friends and Mentors
Develop Deep Connection
Wisdom
Wisdom
When looking for or working with a wise friend and mentor, take time to remember and contemplate that the relationship is all the more precious because it is impermantent, becuase so many causes and conditions had to be in place to make it happen, and that all fo this is not unique and personal to your connection with each other, but rather is an experience shared by many people in recovery and people around the World. ;
Core Intentions
Core Intentions
Support the Sangha
Self-Directed Fundraising
Self-Directed Fundraising
9. Accept donations and raise funds only when consistent with our goal to be non-affiliated and self-directed.
Walking a middle path for Recovery Dharma means a group may accept donations and raise funds from non-member resources.
The wise and middle path is to also ensure that the funds do not compromise the basic integrity and functioning of the sangha and of the Recovery Dharma Program.
Some examples of partnering with others that may disrupt our independence and self-direction include partnerships where the sangha is a sub-program of another entity such as a treatment center. Another example may be accepting donations from organizations that engage in unwise livelihood, such as selling alcohol
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.
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 Community
Insight
Insight
Wise Understanding
Talk: Discovering Inspiration for our Lives through Wise View
Brian Lesage
Deepening into the Four Noble TruthsWise Understanding and Wise Intention Sylvia Borstein
Spirit RockThree Marks of Existence
Spirit RockRight Understanding - The 1st Spoke on the Wheel of Dharma
Shell Fischer
IMC WashingtonThe Path to Awakening
Joseph Goldstein
Turning the Wheel SeriesRight View
IMC Redwood CityThe Eightfold Noble Path: Right View/Right Understanding
Eugene Cash
San Francisco Insight Meditation CommunityThe Eightfold Path: Wise Understanding
IMS - Forest RefugeTopic Page - Talks on Impermanence Buddhist Society of Western Australia
Understanding Attachment
IMS Forest Refuge
No Self
Your Face: The Gaze, Self View, Intimacy and Letting Go
Spirit RockSelf Compassion across the Lifespan Meditation
Spirit RockMetta is Empty of Self - Let it go Everywhere
Sangha SevaAnatta (No-Self) Meditation
Joseph GoldsteinThe Superpower of Mindful Witnessing
Tara Brach
Retreats
The links to these specific retreats will be repeated throughout the Practice Resources section of this site. You can focus your listening on these talks as you work through the Recovery Dharma Program.
Insight Meditation Retreat 2022
Mindfulness Meditation and Heart Practices
James Baraz, Tempel Smith, JD Doyle
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
Thai Forest, Theravada
Thai Forest, Theravada
Thai Forrest / Theravada
Thai Forrest / Theravada
17:13 - Right View - Metta Forest Monastery
Topic Page - Wisdom - Abhayagiri
Topic Page - Right View - Abhayagiri
Topic Page - Impermanence - Abhayagiri
Secular, Academic, Therapeutic
Secular, Academic, Therapeutic
Secular | Academic
Secular | Academic
9:09 - Knowledge and Wisdom: What's the Deal? - SBA
10:42 - What is Right View? - SBA
12:10 - Considering Karma
12:27 - Is This How Karma Works?
10:40 - What Did the Buddha Teach about Views? - SBA
25:26 - Basic Teachings for a Happy Life - SBA
No-Self, Emptiness, Anatta
Buddhist Recovery
Buddhist Recovery
Tibetan
Tibetan
Talk: No Self No Problem - Anam Thubten - Common Ground MC
Talk: Relaxing Into Impermanence Pema Chodron
Dharmette:
Right View Plum Village / Compassionate Ocean
Right View Sravasti Abbey
Q&A Not-Self HH 14th Dalai Lama
Amplified Voices
Amplified Voices
Workbooks
Workbooks
Books
Books
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