RD Friends Act - Recovery is Possible Inquiry

We are friends in Recovery Dharma. We take action for our recovery

RDFA

RD Friends Act

Practice Resource Guide

Recovery is Possible

We engage our curiosity to begin to consider that freedom, joy and liberation might be possible, even for us.

About this Page

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

How this Concept Applies to Recovery

Recovery is Possible

Recovery is the lifelong process of recovering our true natures and finding a way to an enduring and non-harmful sense of happiness. In recovery, we can finally find the peace so many of us had been searching for in our addictions. We can break through our isolation and find a community of wise friends to support us on our path. We can build a home for ourselves, within ourselves, and we can help others do the same. The gift we give to ourselves, to one another, and to the world, is one of courage, understanding, compassion, and serenity. We all experience growth differently, and at our own pace. But the most important message of this book is that the journey, the healing, can start now for you and for each of us.

May you find your path to recovery. May you trust in your own potential for awakening.

How The Practice Helps

Three Jewels Inquiry Practice

Refuge in Dharma (Buddhist Wisdom)

Jump to the end of the book and read the chapter, Recovery is Possible

Refuge in Dharma (Inner Wisdom)

Start the practice of pausing to take deep breaths

Refuge in Sangha (Community Wisdom)

Find links to online or in-person meetings a start attending.

Refuge in the Dharma

Practices that explore and deepen understanding of the Concepts

The Path

Read the Book

Recovery is Possible

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

Read Pages 68-71

- - Read the chapter
  - Listen to the Audio
  - Get a copy of the book

The Path and Growth

Listen to Talks

Hope and Curiosity

Talk: Desire and Addiction, Tara Brach, IMC Washington
Talk: The Role of Motivation and Intention, Kate Mundig , IMC Berkeley
Talk: Encouraging Compassion Rick Hanson, Spirit Rock

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

Joy, Hope, Curiosity

Sympathetic joy, or the pleasure that comes from delighting in other people's well-being.
Hope, Desire, Longing
Curiosity
Loving Kindness
Compassion
Letting Go, Renunciation
Doubt Buddhist Concepts and Wisdom
Serenity, Equanimity
Curiosity
Belonging
Engage: Start, Begin

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 - Deep Breath

Pause several times a day to take 3 to 6 slow, deep breaths (i.e. 4 counts in, 8 counts out)
Notice if body sensations changed in any way before and after the pause

Mantra - Appreciative Joy

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

May I be happy with the joy that I have

Sitting - Appreciative Joy

Take time to sit in meditation

Basic / Breath: Script | Audio
Appreciative Joy: Script | Audio

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

Inquiry - Motivation and Hope

What motivates you to be here? (maybe a combo of wholesome and unwholesome)
What or who has helped give you the strength and courage to show up here? (maybe internal or external)
What do you hope for with recovery?
Journal idea: Write down small gratitude lists every day. Write insight and questions from this practice.
If you pause for a moment, what does gratitude feel like in the body?
Share lists, insights, or questions with wise friends and mentors.

Renunciation

Practice Letting Go

Renunciation -Learning to Let Go

Doubt that Recovery is Possible

What are you hoping to let go of through this practice?

What gets in hour way of letting go? Some ideas may include

Craving
Aversion to discomfort
Confusion
Anxiety
Doubt in your own ability to recover

Have you ever been successful at letting go?

What were things that made it possible?
What did you do?
What support did you have?

Refuge in the Sangha

Practices that cultivate connections with wise friends and mentors

Meetings

Attend and Befriend

Meetings

Find

Connect

Start attending meetings: In-person, online, several days a week. Look for people in recovery at the meeting.

Participate

Say hello during introductions.

Wise Friends and Mentors

Develop Deep Connection

Find

Find friendly faces at meetings

Listen to talks or read articles about indicators that someone may be a reliable wise friend.
Pay attention to who in the meeting is actively engaged in the practices of this program
Look for ways that people connect and work the program outside of the meeting.

Core Intentions

Support the Sangha

Equanimity and Serenity

Find ways to practice creating a welcoming environment

Whether on zoom or in person, have your space set up for the meeting.
- Chairs, cushions, or zoom co-host to let people into the meeting.
- Script and readings,
- meditation bell, candle etc.
- a way for people to contribute easily and quickly

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

Talk: Faith and Doubt
Guided Instruction: Responding to the Hindrances, Ofosu Jones-Quartey, IMC Washington
Guided: Gratitude and Generosity
Talk: Curiosity, Refuge and Love - Greg Scharf
Talk: Healing Ourselves and Our World - Hugh Byrne - IMC Washington DC
Talk: Kind Curiosity - Bruni Dávila
Talk: Got Freedom - Vinny Ferraro
Talk: Your Wounds can be your Gifts to the World - Jonathan Foust -
Talk: Love, Sex, and Awakening
Talk: Healing Ourselves and Our World - Hugh Burne
Talk: Active Hope - Joanna Macy - Th Gaia Foundation
Talk: Hope - 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