Practice Resource Guide
Where to Begin?
We take refuge in the Dharma as Teachings
Embedded Files
We are friends in Recovery Dharma. We take action for our recovery
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
Refuge in the Dharma as Teachings
What do Buddhist Teachings have to say about Recovery?
What do Buddhist Teachings have to say about Recovery?
The word dharma doesn’t have a single English meaning. It’s a word in an ancient language called Sanskrit, and it can be translated as “truth,” “phenomena,” or “the nature of things.” When it’s capitalized, the word Dharma usually means the teachings of the Buddha and the practices based on those teachings.
Recovery Dharma, Page viii
How The Practice Helps
How The Practice Helps
Leaning-in with Curiosity
The Buddha taught that one of the strongest hindrances to awakening (Recovery) is doubt - in self, in others, and in the teachings.
Fortunately for us, the Buddha's solution was not to double down on blind faith. Instead, the suggested antidote is to turn towards that teaching or practice with curiosity. We may find that it is, indeed, not for us. However, we are just as likely to find hidden gems that serve as motivators to continue The Path of Recovery.
This page offers resources to either determine if or remember how Buddhist teachings are trustworthy as a vehicle for recovery and awakening.
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
If you need inspiration with this part of the practice, return to the Inquiry heading on the Title Page of the Practice Guide
Find Refuge in Buddhist Teachings
Find Refuge in Buddhist Teachings
Here are talks that expand on taking refuge in Buddhist Principles.
Talk: Compassion Through Wisdom is Liberation from Suffering - Sylvia Boorstein
Talk: Harvesting the Gifts of the Ancestors - Larry Yang
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
Growth
Stay Curious
Concepts - Glossary
Refuge in Dharma - Buddhist Wisdom
Refuge in Dharma - Buddhist Wisdom
Four Noble Truths
Freedom, Joy
Wise Mindfulness
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
Mindfulness of Sound
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.
Several times a day, pause to repeat a supportive phrase for a few moments
May I be kind and gentle with myself
Sitting Practice
Sitting Practice
Take time to sit in meditation
Inquiry and Investigation
Inquiry and Investigation
Explore and Experience
Refuge in Buddhist Practices
Refuge in Buddhist Practices
Re-read the readings "Four NobleTruths" and "The Eightfold Path." Perhaps listen to some of the recordings on this page, or ask some wise friends about their experience with Buddhist Teachings or thought.
As you explore, see if you notice if any of the following qualities have been mentioned in referring to Buddhist teachings or thought.
Compassionate
Reliable
Trustworthy
Trusting
Understanding
Accepting
Shared Human Experience
Share what you have written or noticed with a wise friend or mentor.
Renunciation
Renunciation
Practice Letting Go
Reasons - Pros and Cons
We practice letting go of habitual behaviors such as:
Anxious thinking, scrolling, overeating, dieting, debting, underearning, overworking, porn, worry, attempting to control others, and drinking smoking or injecting intoxicants
What are the downsides of how things are going now?
What are the advantages of continuing your habitual behavior?
What would be difficult or undesirable about following the Recovery Dharma principles?
What might be pleasant, desirable, or beneficial about learning more about the Recovery Dharma concepts?
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
If you have questions at a meeting about words, any of the opening readings, or Buddhist concepts of recovery, then suggest it as a topic.
Listen to Dharma talks linked below about the practice and taking refuge in Buddhist Wisdom.
Wise Friends and Mentors
Wise Friends and Mentors
Develop Deep Connection
Read more about the concepts of Wise Friends and Mentors at the Recovery Dharma Website.
If your preference is to find a mentor, but no one in your meeting is available, then start to connect with others as Wise Friends. These connections can do all of the same recovery tasks as mentors and mentees.
Core Intentions
Core Intentions
Support the Sangha
Respect the confidentiality of all who attend and what is shared at our meetings.
Members and servant leaders: encourage and support each other to read the book, practice with the inquiries and grow in your own understanding of a Buddhist path of recovery.
If you don't feel ready to serve as a mentor, then offer to work with others as Wise Friends. Set up a structured time to dive more deeply into the inquiry practice of Recovery Dharma.
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
Instruction: How We Hold the Practice | Oren Jay Sofer | Insight Meditation Retreats
Instruction: Mental Noting Technique | Jill Shepherd | Blue Mountain
Talk: Where You At, Where You Going - Joanna Hardy , Matthew Brensilver , Vinny Ferraro
Talk: Full Contact Compassion - Vinny Ferraro
Talk: Compassion and Wisdom - Kamala Masters - POC Retreat - Spirit Rock
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
Secular, Academic, Therapeutic
Secular, Academic, Therapeutic
Secular | Academic
Secular | Academic
Talk: What is Dharma? - Doug Smith - Secular Buddhist Association
Talk: Practice is Weeding - Doug Smith - Secular Buddhist Association
Talk:
Buddhist Recovery
Buddhist Recovery
Tibetan
Tibetan
Amplified Voices
Amplified Voices
Recordings from people who are members of communities that are currently underrepresented in Western Buddhist communities will be pulled from the list above and highlighted here.
Workbooks
Workbooks
Books
Books
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Google Sites
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