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,

Welcome everyone to the midway point of 2026. We have come so far up to this point on roads often filled with obstacles. We gradually begin to traverse with more ease as our practices develope. We may not see changes in the road, but our intentions while moving forward (sometimes backwards!) do change.

Figuratively speaking, our suspensions going over the dips have greater response in time. Our intentions perhaps through our speech creates less suffering in our own experience plus that of those around us. We may understand our Karma change in small ways. Sometimes we observe this in big ways through our interactions. We may not get the results we want, but we reliably find more joy. It is quite remarkable how the dharma weaves itself through our every moment.

Thank you for joining us and stay safe on this road of life. When you find yourself stranded on the shoulder the sangha will be there.

Peace & Harmony,
RD Denver

Spotlight

Alex Oliver He/Him

1. How did you find Recovery Dharma?

I was referred to Recovery Dharma by a friend at the Zen Center of Denver. I came to find a welcoming community and wise teachings.

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

I’ve been studying Buddhism on and off for the past 3 years.

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

In addition to meditation, I practice yoga, breathwork, and martial arts.

4. 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 teaching on right view tends to resonate with me most in my day to day life as I tend to use self-limiting beliefs to self sabotage and avoid responsibility.

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

For anyone new to recovery and the Dharma, I would emphasize the importance of finding an accepting community.

6. (optional) Any additional thoughts to share?

Healing takes a village, and we are stronger together.

Buddhist Celebrations

this month

(*celestial events are added as particularly in Theravadan Bhuddism, the lunar cycles are part of the cyclical nature of existence. These days may be incorporated within your own personal practice.)

New Moon (July 14)
Full Buck Moon (July 29)
Asalha Puja / Dhamma Day (July 29): Primarily observed in the Theravada tradition, this date coincides with the full moon of the eighth lunar month. It honors the Buddha's first sermon, "Setting in Motion the Wheel of the Dhamma", at Sarnath.

Upcoming Events

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

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?

4th of July BBQ Bash! Westminster, CO
Saturday, July 4, 2026
12:00 PM 4:00 PM
Advocates For Recovery Colorado
3440 West 71st PlaceWestminster, CO, 80030United States (map)
Come celebrate summer, community, and recovery with Advocates for Recovery at our 4th of July BBQ Bash at our Westminster office 🇺🇸💥
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.
To Sign Up for a monthly newsletter of events click here.

Phoenix Yoga
Every Saturday from7:30-8:30AM
Champa Street Gym - 2233 Champa Street, Denver, CO
Come join us for a hatha-vinyasa yoga class. I hope you leave feeling if more relaxed, energized, and ready to take on your day!

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

WISE SPEECH

Wise Speech is based on the intention to do no harm. We’ve all used speech in a manner that may create harm: lying to keep others from knowing what’s really going on; gossiping with the intention of putting someone down or satisfying our desire to be recognized; stealing time and attention by chattering on and on; or trying to convince others to meet our own needs at the expense of their own. Wise Speech includes all the ways we use our voices, including online and in writing.

The basic foundation of Wise Speech is honesty or truthfulness. Dishonesty is exaggeration, minimizing, omitting or lying with the intention of presenting a distortion of reality. It can take the form of “white lies” to avoid embarrassment or exposure, half-truths to keep from being caught, or seemingly harmless things said at the expense of others. We may say more than we really know to be true in the hopes of appearing smarter or more confident in our position or feeling. Sometimes we say something before we know the truth.

Read this and the rest of the book here. This starts on page 27.

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
The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) - the state administration responsible for ensuring all people in Colorado have access to quality mental health and substance use disorder services, regardless of where they live, or ability to pay.
The Second Chance Center (SCC) - Dedicated to helping formerly incarcerated individuals transition to success, we provide the guidance and resources needed to create a fulfilling, successful future.
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.