October 2025

Written By Jason Link

 READ THE BOOK 

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,

Perhaps one of the easiest ways we can help someone is practicing non-judgement. When we first get into recovery, we take the time to get ourselves on stable footing. We no doubt come from places of confusion and dysfunction. This takes time to not necessarily fix, but reverse course.

Once we get on a good path we often have the desire to help others do the same. It’s a great idea to become of service. This may be in our recovery groups, with organizations who helped us along the way or giving a helping hand to somebody we see on the street. Confronted with all of the suffering we see on any given day, it can be overwhelming. There are moments when our greatest efforts have little to no impact at all.

When we have these moments, the easiest thing we can do is practice non-judgement. At any given moment we are all doing the best we can do. It is a good practice to remind ourselves of this throughout the day. Don’t forget to tell yourself this as well. At any given moment, you are doing the best you can. And, that is good enough.

Sending peace,
Recovery Dharma Denver

Sangha Spotlight

Cass- She/Her

1. How did you find Recovery Dharma? 

I first heard about Recovery Dharma when I was in a detox facility from a friend I had made during my time there. I went into a residential program directly after, and ordered a RD book to be delivered to me. I read the book while I was there. I attended my first RD meeting at Free Recovery Community once I was done with my stay. 

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

I have had a long interest in Buddhism and the corresponding teachings/practices since I was a young teen. My little exposure to Western religions and there practices turned me off of anything spiritually, but I was looking for a “path” that aligned with my personal values. 

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 value all the aspects of Recovery Dharma, but in my daily life I aim to conduct myself using wise intention, speech, action, and effort, and understanding. I also could not be successful in my practice without my sangha (community). 

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

I approach recovery with openness to all pathways, and know that there isn’t a “one” path that fits every recovery journey. I believe connecting with the communities outside of my own is essential for my awareness and understanding, and is something needed for us to thrive as a society. 

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

For anyone new or hesitant to Recovery Dharma, I would say that you are welcome, whoever you are, no matter your story. You will find an open, non-judgement space, and aren’t expected to do anything other than your presence. If you come with an open mind, you might find that you are not alone, and gain some valuable insight.

Buddhist Celebrations

this month

  • October 29th - Many Buddhists worldwide will celebrate the day marking Buddha’s acceptance to descend from the God Realm of Thirty-three and return to Earth after teaching Dharma there to the gods and his mother. This occasion is considered a Buddha Multiplying Day – a day on which karmic actions are one hundred million times stronger. 

Upcoming Events

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

  • Inquiries Group at the Phoenix Gym (2221 Champa St., Denver, CO 80205)

    • Sundays, 6:45PM (except first Sunday of each Month reserved for business meeting).

    • Come and do your Inquiries with us! Whether just Starting on the first, picking up where you've left off or if you've done them before to understand how responses may have changed in time. We may be on different ones. What matters is that we come together for ourselves and to support others on the jouney.

    • Each meeting is facilitated by somebody new. Maybe yourself?

  • Colorado Artists in Recovery (CAiR) hosts several workshops throughout the month, and welcomes all in recovery to participate for free. Whether you are new in recovery or wanting to try something new well into your journey, these workshops offer wonderful opportunities to explore new talents and meet others within positive/safe spaces.

Acudetox at the Phoenix Gym, Champa location in Denver (map).

  • Oct 16, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

  • AcuDetox involves the gentle placement of up to five small, sterilized, disposable acupuncture needles into specific sites on each ear. This practice helps to stabilize the nervous system, reduce cravings, improve sleep, relieve stress, and balance emotions.

  • Please reserve a spot ahead of time on the NewForm app.

  • For a full listing of events at the Phoenix Gym, click here.

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.

For a complete list of meetings in the area, visit our website. To have your Dharma group added to our list, please reach out at RecoveryDharmaMetroDenver@gmail.com.

 

From the Book

Compassion

Of course we cannot escape the circumstances and conditions that are part of the human condition. We’ve already tried — through drugs and alcohol, through sex and codependency, through gambling and technology, through work and shopping, through food or the restriction of food, through obsession and the futile attempts to control our experiences and feelings — and we’re here because it didn’t work. This is a program that invites us to recognize and accept that some pain and disappointment will always be present, to investigate the unskillful ways we have dealt with that pain in the past, and to develop a habit of understanding, compassion, forgiveness, and insight toward our own pain, the pain of others, and the pain we have caused. Acceptance with insight and compassion is what creates freedom from the suffering that makes our pain seem unbearable.

This book is only an introduction to a path that can bring liberation and freedom from the cycle of addiction. The intention, and the hope of our program, is that every person on the path will be empowered to make it their own.

May you be happy.

May you be at ease.

May you be free from suffering.

May all beings be free from suffering



From ‘What is Recovery Dharma?’ at the beginning of our book. Read this and the rest of the book 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:

 

 CONTACT US 

Recoverydharmametrodenver@gmail.com

Powered by Squarespace

Unsubscribe

Jason Link
Next

September 2025