December 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,

We are in the traditional holiday season. May it be one of joyous connection and exploration. We live in an area where there is a fully developed recovery community ripe with events and meetings. How fortunate we are?

Remembering this is a tough or triggering time of year for some, keep an eye out for those that do have stresses. Invite them to a gathering, or connect in some other ways. If this is a tough time for yourself, reach out and let someone know you could use a little extra compassion or Sangha (community).

These journeys are all about learning new paths and/or sharing the ones you've discovered. In Recovery Dharma, recovery comes first and Dharma is our path. Dharma reminds us there is suffering. If you are struggling, feel free to reach out at RecoveryDharmaMetroDenver@gmail.com. We might be able to help; you might be able to help us.

Peace & Harmony,
RD Denver

Sangha Spotlight

Heather

She/Her

1. How did you find Recovery Dharma?

I heard about the Phoenix center from a friend and I was drawn to the idea of a recovery dharma. I was looking for a group that wasn’t so heavy on the Jesus and God talk.

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

I had been introduced to the Buddha’s teachings by a man I was dating several years ago. He turned me on to Michael Singer and it helped me address my spiritual needs without subjecting myself to religious trauma.

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?

The meditations that consist of body scans help ground me and be aware of the way my thoughts and feelings are affecting me physically. I make the gratitude meditations part of my morning and evening routine and that boosts my mood so much.. 

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

CBT and DBT, EMDR, dance and art therapy.

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

I would want to encourage new ones to feel free to share or simply observe. And I would want to assure them that they are welcome and supported there in a peaceful accepting space.

Buddhist Celebrations

this month

  • Bodhi Day (December 6th)

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?

Christmas Party & Gift Exchange - Westminster, CO

  • Saturday, December 13, 2025

  • 4:00 PM 8:00 PM

  • Advocates for Recovery Colorado 3440 W. 71st PlaceWestminsterUnited States

    • For more events with AFR click here.

  • 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.

Third Thursday Wellness: AcuDetox + Soundbath

  • Thursday, Nov. 20th, 7-8PM

  • Champa Street Gym

    2233 Champa Street, Denver, CO

  • Relax and recharge with AcuDetox, a 20-minute five-point ear acupuncture session that eases cravings, calms the nervous system, improves sleep, and balances emotions—offered in partnership with Servicios de La Raza of Colorado. Then, immerse yourself in a Sound Bath, a guided meditation with resonant bowls to soothe the mind and body. Note: Please arrive on time. Participants must wait until AcuDetox is complete before lying down for the sound bath. Doors close at 7:10 PM MT.

  • 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

The 2nd heart practice is compassion, which is first of all a willingness to come close to pain: to recognize it, honor it, acknowledge it, and respond to it wisely. This isn’t easy, because just as we want to run from or suppress our own pain, we also want to avoid being with the pain of others. Compassion means sitting with our own pain and that of others. It stops the cruelty of indifference. Compassion for ourselves is crucial. Self-compassion is the key to healing the shame and guilt that we often feel as we begin to recognize the harms we caused through our addictions. You may also find that compassion is difficult to realize when it comes to those who have caused you great harm. In these cases, it can be helpful to focus on your own healing by practicing self compassion, engaging in wise reflection of the Four Noble Truths, and committing to the practices of the path. With time, you may gradually wish for the relief of suffering for those who have hurt you.

Compassion is not just offering sympathy and a helping hand. It’s also an intention to avoid causing harm to others and ourselves. This is where we can most easily see the difference between skillful and unskillful actions, and between wise and unwise intentions. Cruelty — and all the harm it creates in the world — comes from a lack of compassion. Cruelty is a desire to cause pain. Compassion is caring about the welfare and happiness of others. Compassion rests on the renunciation of harming living beings and is not only the wish, but also the intention to put an end to their suffering. We need to open our hearts — not just our minds — to all the suffering that is experienced in the world. Compassion is not only a feeling: it is an action.

Read this and the rest of the book here. This starts on page 22.

 

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:

 

 CONTACT US 

Recoverydharmametrodenver@gmail.com

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November 2025