Click the link above to read the 2nd Edition of the Recovery Dharma book, including updates to the text and 14 personal stories of recovery from members of the community!

Dear Sangha,

May you be happy.

May you be at ease.

May you be free from suffering.

May all beings be free from suffering.

These can be found in the Recovery Dharma 2.0 book at the end of ‘What is Recovery Dharma?’. These phrases are often associated with the Metta, or, loving kindness meditations. Within our environment, are they easy to digest? We now find a world more digitally connected than ever. It is easy to get lost in it all. Perhaps we even highlight the division rather than connection.

The fourth phrase here asks us to extend this loving kindness to all beings. This may be daunting with apparent divisions around every corner. Each person around us, whether in recovery or not, deserves to be free from suffering. We have been given a wonderful gift in the form of the meetings we attend to practice this in small, safe spaces. If even for fleeting moments we understand these phrases, we have made progress from where we started.

The Recovery Dharma reminds us with a wonderful description of Growth that “Progress is Perfection”. Please stay cool in these warm months.

Sending peace,
Recovery Dharma Denver

Sangha Spotlight

Curtis: He/Him

1. How did you find Recovery Dharma?

I first heard about dharma recovery in about 2019 when a friend of mine whom I had been using with decided to get sober. He had found a non-12 step way to go about it. He had been trying for years to get me on board and it wasn’t until this last December that I finally had enough of a lifestyle where drugs had me trapped in.

2. Had you been introduced to the Buddha's teachings before?

I was a juvenile delinquent when I was young and for a while was on house arrest. Luckily I enjoyed reading and during that time I read a lot of Jack Kerouac. Within his books I found a few references to Alan Watts, Ginsburg and other Buddhist teachers. I looked into Buddhism from there.

3. Is there anything in particular from the Dharma (teachings), the Sangha (community), meditations or any other aspect that resonates with you in your day to day life?

One major thing that I took from those teachings and others was the ability to meditate. Then, within the sangha and the community at large I found that interpersonal studies, not just on my own, really helped elevate my understanding of life, the universe and everything. Even though meditation helps reflect on my own self, in the group it helps me to realize that everyone else is unique yet the same.

4. Would you share something about yourself that most people might not know?

One thing people may not know about me is that I have struggled with depression for most of my life. Having the sangha and universal truths found within the teachings really helped me by feeling part of something that’s bigger and more important than li’l ol’ me.

5. Is there anything you would want to share with someone new to recovery or new to the Dharma?

Something everyone should remember is that attachment is the foundation of suffering. Whether it's an attachment to drugs or just feelings of a negative aspect, giving yourself permission to let go is within your wheelhouse. This can and will save your life. Ram Das wrote a book called “Be Here Now”, and the title alone says a lot. Any negative aspects of your life are all from your memories and attachments to them. To be here now is to release yourself from the burden of that past and to create your future free from the bonds of pain and attachment…

Bhuddist Holy Days in July

July 10- Asalha Bucha Day (also Asalha Puja) is a Buddhist festival that commemorates Buddha’s first sermon and the founding of the Buddha’s four noble truths after his enlightenment.
This Buddhist festival is observed on the full moon of the eighth lunar month, which usually falls in the month of July.

Upcoming Events

Advocates for Recovery Colorado’s Annual Fourth of July BBQ!

Friday, July 4th from 12-4pm at the AFRC Westminster location (3440 W. 71st Place Westminster, CO 80030)

Family friendly, food, music, and tons of fun!

Bring your favorite dish, drink, or snack to share or just bring a big appetite! All are welcome!

RSVP Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-of-july-bbq-tickets-1424651534089?aff=oddtdtcreator

Meetings

Join us at one of our weekly meetings. We have in-person meetings nearly every day of the week across the Front Range as well as online meetings you can join from anywhere. We practice meditation together and then read from the Recovery Dharma book or another Buddhist text. The second half of the meeting is dedicated to providing space to talk about the topic or anything you need to share related to recovery.

We have a few new meetings to announce!

Sundays 5:30 The Phoenix (In-Person) 2233 Champa St. Denver, CO 80205
Tuesdays 6:45 The Phoenix (In-Person) 2233 Champa St. Denver, CO 80205 (in Baby Champa, the door to the left of the gym entrance).
Thursday 6:30 pm MT Lakewood (In-Person) @ Shepherd of the Hills Church - 11500 W 20th Ave, Lakewood, CO 80215
Thursday 7:00 pm MT Denver (In-Person) @ FREE Spiritual Community Center - 2122 S. Lafayette St, Denver, CO 80210

For a complete list of meetings in the area, visit our website.

From the Book

THE SECOND NOBLE TRUTH:

THE THIRD NOBLE TRUTH: page 15

Ending the Suffering

It is possible to end our suffering. When we come to understand the nature of our craving and realize that all our experiences are temporary by nature, we can begin a more skillful way to live with the dissatisfaction that is part of being human. We don’t need to be torn apart byour thoughts and feelings that say, “I have to have more of that,” or “I’ll do anything to get rid of this.” The Third Noble Truth states that the end of craving is possible. Each of us has the capacity for recovery.

We are responsible for our own actions and for the energy we give our thoughts and feelings. This means we have some control over how we respond to our own suffering, because the unpleasant emotions take place within us; we create them through our response to experience. We don’t need to depend on anyone or anything else to remove the causes of our suffering. We may not be able to control anything “out there,” but we can learn to choose what we think, say, and do. We come to understand that if our thoughts, words, and actions are driven by greed, hatred, or confusion, we are creating suffering within suffering. If we let go of these attitudes, we can lessen suffering or even create freedom. We can choose to give up these causes of disturbing and unpleasant emotions. This is the true empowerment and freedom of recovery — recognizing that happiness and suffering are up to us, based on how we choose to respond to our experiences.

Read the full chapter here.

Community Resources

Recovery Dharma supports a holistic path to recovery. There is no one right way to recover! It's always a good idea to add more tools to your toolbox to facilitate your healing.

Here are some other community resources to check out:

Advocates for Recovery - recovery meetings, events, coaching
CHOW (Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness)
CAIR (Colorado Artists in Recovery) - artists workshops and events
Rooted303 - personal development classes, recovery coaching, support groups
The Phoenix - A Sober Active Community offering free exercise classes
Hard Beauty - recovery coaching and workshops
Meditation Resources - Insight Timer App, Sounds True One, Waking Up, Headspace, Plum Village App, Recovery Dharma Meditations.