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,

We are well into summer, and this is perhaps a time to understand our intents. Recovery is a slow process. Our actions and consequent results don’t always, if ever, keep up with the speed of our thoughts. This can be a source of frustration or suffering when we cling to expectations of how we want our progress to go.

An author of a mystery novel may start with the conclusion and work backwards filling in the details. In our recovery, we can start with our ambitions and understand the steps through time. As we grow, learning the path and putting forth effort through the teachings of the Buddha, our ambitions may even change. This is not to understand the error of our ways, yet rather, grow in our intentions becoming more wise as they develop.

Will we understand suffering along the path? Quite possibly. Thankfully, this is why we come together in our sanghas to share our journeys and know we are not alone. We will make mistakes. We will make unwise decisions. We may even make steps backwards. That’s ok. We cannot have known then what we know now. This is all part of the process.

Please, be safe and be kind.

Sending peace,
Recovery Dharma Denver

Sangha Spotlight

Mathew: He/Him

1. How did you find Recovery Dharma?

I found recovery dharma through Phoenix Multisport where I've been volunteering for several years.

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

Yes, I've been a practicing Buddhist since 2007.

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?

I have been practicing for a long time and dhamma has been key to maintaining my sobriety. I go to Recovery Dharma mainly for community.

4. Do you mix in any other practices with your recovery?

I do events at phoenix multisport.

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

Dhamma practice isn't just meditation. Generosity and maintaining the precepts are key requisites.

Bhuddist Holy Days in July

Abhidhamma Day (6 Aug 2025)

Abhidhamma Day, a revered Theravada Buddhist tradition in Myanmar, marks the Buddha’s ascent to Tavatimsa heaven to teach his mother the Abhidhamma.

Upcoming Events

To have your Dharma and/or recovery events added to the newsletter, please email recoverydharmametrodenver@gmail.com.

Advocates For Recovery Colorado - Recovery's Got Talent Showcase #3 - Denver, CO

Friday, August 29, 2025
5:00 PM 8:30 PM

CrossPurpose Denver3050 Richard Allen CourtDenver, CO, 80205United States (map)

The road to the Rally for Recovery 2025! Showcase #3 - at CrossPurpose - 3050 Richard Allen Court Denver, CO 80205

6pm - FREE Food & Child Care -

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

WISE INTENTION

Wise Intention describes the attitude or approach we take toward ourselves and the world. We can choose non-harming by avoiding actions that have harmful results, detaching from the cravings that seem overwhelming in the moment, and developing a kind and compassionate stance toward ourselves and the world. Wise Intention leads us to stop doing things based on confusion, ill-will, hatred, violence, and selfish-ness. It impacts all our relationships: with ourselves, other people, our community, and the world as a whole.

Wise Intention is deciding to act in ways that produce good karma and to avoid actions that produce bad karma. We start by looking at the kinds of thoughts that cause us to act in wise or unwise ways. If our thoughts are based on confusion, fear, and greed, then our actions will bring bad results and create harm. If our thoughts are based on generosity, compassion, and avoiding clinging, then our actions will bring good results. Thoughts that are based in lovingkindness and goodwill, that are free from the desire or intention to cause harm, lead us to act in abeneficial manner.

Read the full chapter here, syarting on page 20.

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.