Los Angeles
What is Recovery Dharma?
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We are a peer-led movement using Buddhist practices and principles to overcome addiction through meditation, personal inquiry, and community. We provide support to local, autonomous meetings through shared literature, online resources, and connection to our international network of participants.
Do I have to be a Buddhist to participate?
While our program is based on teachings and practices that go all the way back to the time of the Buddha 2600 years ago, we believe that anyone can benefit from this wisdom regardless of whether they consider themselves a Buddhist.
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These teachings, as we practice them, are fully compatible with a secular perspective. The core practices of wisdom, ethics, and mindfulness are available to all beings, regardless of their other beliefs or affiliations. Our program doesn’t require the adoption of any religious principles, only that we do the work needed for these practices to transform our lives.
What is a Recovery Dharma meeting like?
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Our weekly meetings are a chance to come together to support recovery through the practice of meditation, study of the Dharma, listening to each other, and building community.
A typical meeting starts with a few short explanatory readings, and then a guided meditation. Meetings will then typically do a shared reading to foster discussion, or a speaker may talk about a topic of their choice. There is also an opportunity for members of the group to share. Each meeting is free to choose the format that works best for them.
Meetings are always free, though members are encouraged to support any costs incurred by the meetings through dÄna (generosity).
Each meeting operates independently, except in matters affecting other groups or Recovery Dharma as a whole. The group’s health and well-being is of utmost importance. Personal recovery depends on connection with a healthy, safe, confidential, and stable community. We encourage groups to practice ethical behavior in the conduct of meetings, refraining from violence, dishonesty, creating an environment of sexual discomfort or misconduct, or intoxication. How each group chooses to implement these guidelines is a matter for local discussion and decision-making.
People asked if I wanted to be a part of an Inquiry Circle — what is that?
Inquiry Circles are small closed groups who meet weekly with a goal of completing their inventories (investigation of the underlying causes of addictive behaviors). These groups offer mutual support, a schedule, momentum, accountability, friendships, co-mentorships, safety, and more. Some people like to do inquiries with a single mentor, some like to do them with an Inquiry Circle.
I'd like to start a regular meditation practice. Where do I start?
The Recovery Dharma Global community has recorded several meditations that you can access here: recoverydharma.org/meditations. For beginners, the heart practice meditations can be highly effective, namely forgiveness and lovingkindness.
Does the program support addictions other than drugs and alcohol?
We have found that the Buddhist wisdom and practices that make up Recovery Dharma can help us understand and overcome the suffering caused by any type of addiction, whether it’s a dependency to drugs and alcohol, or behavior-based addictions (which we refer to as “process addictions”) like sex, relationships, food, gambling, self-harm, co-dependency, etc.
All those who seek recovery are welcome at meetings regardless of the substance or behavior that brings them to us.
Is this a faith based program?
Recovery Dharma is not a faith-based program, but we welcome people of all faiths. Our program does not require belief in a God or higher power.We have found many people participate in Recovery Dharma because they are seeking an alternative to 12-step recovery. We also have many members who practice 12 step or other recovery programs alongside ours. These paths are not mutually exclusive and it’s up to each person to discover their own path to recovery.
What is your relationship to other recovery programs?
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We do not ask anybody to give up participation in any other meeting, recovery program, or spiritual practice. Many of us combine traditional 12-step or other recovery programs with our Recovery Dharma program. Recovery Dharma is based on the idea that we each must find the path to recovery that works for us, and we are committed to supporting all who seek recovery.
Can I start a Recovery Dharma meeting?
Absolutely! Anyone willing to commit to the responsibilities of facilitating can start a local meeting! We are decentralized, and there are no rules to follow other than that the meeting should be an open, safe, and accessible space that tries to uphold our core principles of mindfulness, compassion, forgiveness, and generosity.
The book, Recovery Dharma, has resources to help volunteers start and run meetings, including a sample meeting format, meditation scripts and more. PDF versions are available on our Recources Page.