November 2025
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,
It's always an amazing thing when we come together for one reason or another in big or small ways. Ours is a journey of highs and lows. Sometimes we meditate regularly. Sometimes the only time we do is in a random Dharma meeting that we didn't even plan on going to, but did.
When we are picking up the pieces of broken lives, some days feel pretty heavy. Some days we're thrown off all together. We may not hold the door for a stranger, we may speak unwisely when someone offended us and our internal critic only makes it worse. If you never do this, come to more meetings because the rest of us could use your insights.
If you do from time to time act unwisely, extend yourself some compassion for what you have done wisely. Perhaps you made your bed, or shared some kind words with someone you had no reason to. Often times it's the little things that bring us down. Conversely, it's the little things that can bring us up as well. If at the moment some big things are in your path, reach out. That is what we're here for.
Peace & Harmony,
RD Denver
Sangha Spotlight
Theresa
She/Her
1. How did you find Recovery Dharma?
An AA meeting.
2. Had you been introduced to the Buddha's teachings before?
Yes. I have practiced Buddhism for many years prior to getting into recovery.
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?
Definitely the teachings. I use the Eighfold Path daily.
4. Do you mix in any other practices with your recovery?
AA
5. Is there anything you would want to share with someone new to recovery or new to the Dharma?
Recovery Dharma is a gentle and profound way to live and recover from whatever ails a person.
Buddhist Celebrations
this month
Lhabab Düchen (12 Nov 2025)
This sacred holy day observed by Buddhists of Tibetan sect, commemorates the Buddha’s descent from the Trāyastriṃśa heaven after teaching his mother and other celestial beings. It symbolizes the Buddha’s compassion for all beings, including those in celestial realms.
Source: handfulofleaves.life
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.
Evening Meditation and Sound Bath
Thursday, Nov. 20th, 7-8PM
Champa Street Gym
2233 Champa Street, Denver, CO
Immerse yourself in a calming meditation practice guided by resonant music and soothing sounds. Please arrive on time, as doors will be locked at 7:05 PM to preserve the tranquil atmosphere.
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.
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. To have your Dharma group added to our list, please reach out at RecoveryDharmaMetroDenver@gmail.com.
From the Book
Matthew
Content Warning: Suicide
One December morning, I made myself a cup of Folgers coffee and peered out the bars of my prison cell. My cellmate had gone to the yard and I had some time alone. Watching an armed guard walk past on the catwalk outside, I pondered life.
“Why didn’t anybody tell me it would hurt this much?” I asked myself. I was twenty-seven years old, recently sober, and barely two years into a fourteen year prison sentence. Things were actually getting better, though it was hard to see at the time. It hadn’t always hurt that much. It had started out as fun.
Growing up, there was always a case of cheap beer inside the fridge in the garage. It was there mostly for guests since neither of my parents really drank. I was eight years old the first time I stole one of those beers and drank it in the backyard. It was cold and crisp and left my tiny body feeling quite wonderful. I would remember it later.
I was part of the “Just Say No” generation. My youth was filled with memories of DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) classes, Nancy Reagan admonishments against drug use, and commercials with eggs crackling in a frying pan. I had ideas about what my brain would do on drugs.
Read this and the rest of the book here. This story continues on page 72 (spoiler alert, he's doing better).
Community Resources
Recovery Dharma supports a holistic path to recovery. There is no one right way to recover and 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.
Recoverydharmametrodenver@gmail.com
Powered by Squarespace
