May 2025
First Noble Truth
For those of us new or experienced in recovery using the Buddha's teachings, the first Noble Truth that suffering exists is easily understood. The Buddha's teachings say that suffering is due to our own ignorance, aversions and cravings. Early on in recovery that suffering exists and sobriety is not a magic bullet to end this can be daunting.
The “Recovery Dharma” book second edition says in the description of the first Noble Truth, “Our senses (which the Buddha understood to include not just hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and touch, but also thinking) are often unreliable and temporary, which means that the way we experience and make sense of the world is ever changing and subjective.” Particularly early on in sobriety it may be hard to grasp that even though we make the attempts to make sense of what to do and how to recreate successes, things change. This may not be comforting to someone in the vulnerable state of completely reworking how they live and operate free of drugs, alcohol or anything else that creates suffering within their lives.
The Buddha also spoke about the four heart practices including compassion. This is for ourselves and everyone that we encounter. We gather in meetings to both give and receive this in a journey that reliably starts off as painful.
The Buddha through his compassion has given us a path to end the suffering. For this we can practice gratitude. Through connection and understanding we can seek an end to our suffering.
March Spotlight:
Jace Spottedwolf
My name is Jace Spottedwolf. I was first introduced to Recovery Dharma during my second month in Denver, last year in November. Although I have not had any prior experience in the teachings of the dharma directly I have experienced something almost like it. Known as the Red Road to wellbriety. However to this day I have learned much from the teachings of the 8 fold path and the 4 noble truths and the meditations almost everyday of my life as of recently. I am very genuine in helping my fellow peers find common ground in their recovery journey and help them harness and magnify their gifts and talents by both showing by example and by their own experiences and encounters of present occurrence. To those of you who are new to recovery and most of all new to Recovery Dharma know that you are right where you are meant to be at this moment and know it is scary at first to start this journey to recovery. I welcome you to join me as we embark on this together to discover ourselves on a level of equality and oneness of self.
Events:
Sangha Social Event Sunday, June 8 following the regular Recovery Dharma meeting at the Phoenix Gym (2233 Champa St, Denver, CO 80205). Meeting from 5:30PM-6:30.
