October 2026

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 want to take a moment and thank everyone that was able to make it out to the Rally For Recovery this past month. We would like to also offer a special gratitude for Advocates For Recovery Colorado and the volunteers that were able to put on such a successful event .

We start on this leg of the path (early recovery) often times not doing well. We come from situations, circumstances and dependencies so great we don’t even want to admit the severity. Many of us faulter and find ourselves in desperate situations never again thought possible. We then understand the heart of what we do through ongoing efforts such as the rally where resources are shared with those who would not otherwise find them. Thank you AFRC, and thank you to everyone for taking this opportunity to share with those that may otherwise not have found them.

Peace & Harmony,
RD Denver

Spotlight

Phillip

1. How did you find Recovery Dharma? 

I first started coming to the phoenix meeting while a resident at STEP Denver, a nearby treatment center. We were required to go to meetings everyday so it was a welcome alternative to AA. 

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

Yes, I have enjoyed reading the Diamond Sutra and other old zen books for many years. 

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

I have recently enjoyed getting involved with Colorado Artists in Recovery. 

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? 

Yes, I think of my “higher power” as being awareness, or a clear perception of reality. Not my own, but that of the world looking through me. To have this awareness on a daily basis is not only a way to be sober, but to be sober is the only way to be aware. 

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

Addiction is self centered, and the Buddha’s teaching was meant to free us of selfishness and all the suffering it causes. So it makes sense to have a Buddhist approach to recovery.

 As for meditation, just be aware of what’s going on in your head, as much and as often as you can. 

6. (optional) Any additional thoughts to share?

My favorite book right now is “The other shore”,  a new translation of the Heart Sutra with commentary by Thich Nhat Hanh.  Highly recommended.

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: October 10 (or October 10–11 depending on timezone)

  • Full Moon (Hunter's Moon): October 25–26 (Peak illumination on October 26

  • Monday, October 26, 2026 – Ok Phansa (End of Buddhist Pavarana Day)

    • Tradition: Theravada (widely observed in Thailand and Southeast Asia)

    • Details: Marks the conclusion of the three-month Rains Retreat (Vassa). Monks emerge from seclusion, and laity participate in merit-making and offering ceremonies. The subsequent month also initiates the Kathina robe-offering season.

  • Wednesday, October 28, 2026 – Avalokitesvara (Guanyin) Bodhisattva’s Renunciation Day

    • Tradition: Mahayana

    • Details: Celebrates the day Guanyin renounced worldly life to fully embody deep compassion and vow to free all beings from suffering; often marked by chanting and vegetarian fasting.

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?


Shamanic Journey, Indigenous Wisdom & Community Potluck! Westminster, CO

  • Saturday, October 10, 2026

  • 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

  • Advocates For Recovery Colorado 3440 West 71st Place Westminster, Colorado, 80030 United States (map)

  • Join us on October 10th for a unique opportunity to explore connection, reflection, and healing through a guided Shamanic Journey. This experience invites participants to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and explore the wisdom and insight that can emerge through mindfulness, meditation, drumming, and intentional reflection.

  • 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.

Creative Recovery - Open Studio Session

  • Phoenix Gym 2239 Champa St. Denver CO

  • Sep 21, 11:00 - 12:00 PM

  • Come hang out, connect, and get creative! Creative Recovery is an open studio session where you can explore art at your own pace in a relaxed, supportive environment. We’ll provide paints, canvases, colored pencils, and other art supplies. There’s no structured lesson and no art experience needed. Just show up, grab some supplies, and create whatever inspires you. Whether you come to make art, connect with others, or simply enjoy some creative time in community, this is a space to relax, create, and connect.

  • 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

WISE EFFORT

Wise Effort is the first of the concentration group. It means concentrating our effort on understanding and recovery and awakening. Wise Effort isn’t based on how much we should meditate, how much service we should do, or how much time we put into healthy activity. 33 Instead, it’s the intention to devote balanced energy to supporting the other parts of the path, particularly wisdom.

The first thing to pay attention to is avoiding situations and states of mind that can lead to unethical, unskillful, or harmful responses. We become more aware of conditions in our lives and investigate our own responses and reactions to those conditions. When we’re operating out of greed, ignorance, confusion, or thinking we can get what we want, we need to be aware of that. We put in the effort and energy to understand what circumstances allowed these conditions to arise and how we can begin to move away from those responses. Energy or effort is also devoted to letting

Read this and the rest of the book here. This starts on page 32.

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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September 2026