Author: Gary Jackson

Meetings Listing Online Meetings

Refuge Recovery meetings offer recovery from all forms of addiction, including substances, food, sex, technology, gambling, relationships, spending, and more. Frank always lived in sober-living houses, in a small room of his own with a door. There in front of him was his doorknob-less door. This reminds me of The Gateless Gate, the title of one edition of the Mumonkan book of koans.

The original program is highly influenced by a Christian fellowship known as the Oxford Group, but it is not necessary to belong to this religion in order to benefit from the steps. It is often said that the 12 steps offer a spiritual program and not a religious program. This makes it possible for Buddhists and people from other belief systems (or non-belief systems) to join in.

Is there an alcoholic in your life?

The Albuquerque Buddhist Recovery Sangha (founded by Dug Corpolongo) has been meeting continuously since 2006. The meeting consists of a reading related to Buddhism and recovery, mediation and open discussion. Due to COVID-19 all meetings are held on Zoom until further notice. If interested in our meeting please contact us by email for Zoom information. We ask all who attend to respect and study Buddhist teachings, recovery techniques and be willing to share their experience, strength and hope. The emphasis will be on how craving causes suffering and how cultivating insight into the nature of craving can greatly ease our suffering, and help us lead more peaceful and contented lives.

Recovery is a process of healing the underlying conditions that lead to addiction. It is establishing and maintaining the practice of abstaining from satisfying the cravings for the substances and behaviors that we have become addicted to. Recovery is also the ability to inhabit the conditions of the present reality, whether pleasant or unpleasant. Addiction is the repetitive process of habitually satisfying cravings to avoid, change, or control the seemingly unbearable conditions of the present moment.

Compatibility of Buddhism with the 12 Steps

It will be an opportunity to explore Buddhist meditation as a tool to help calm the addicted mind and heal the addicted heart. Refuge Recovery members practice a daily recovery program that includes meetings, meditation and personal inventory, mentorship, retreat and service as integral components. The group atmosphere provides help from peers and offers an ongoing support network for all who wish to pursue and maintain an addiction free life. Hosted by Peter Kuhn, 12-Step Zen offers the Dharma of Recovery from the Plum Village Zen perspective. Groups include sitting, Dharma talk and group sharing, utilizing specific Zen practice and traditional recovery.

• Our format begins with meditation instruction, followed by 15-minutes of sittingmeditation.
• You do not have to have any experience with meditation or recovery, nor hold any particular belief in order to attend or participate.
• Beginners and those more experienced in meditation are welcome.
• You can just sit and listen and learn more about recovery, or you can share about your situation.
• Our discussion period offers us a chance to share openly about our experiences with meditation and recovery.

Through these practices we hope you gain a practice that can sustain you in your recovery. EBMC offers a Recovery, Deep Refuge Buddhist meeting with a focus on ways to heal addiction. This program is based on the principle that we are full, complete and worthy people. As we come to recognize the innate goodness, joy and wisdom we are all capable of experiencing, we promote and celebrate those qualities together. (75 min) Cling Free RD
Meditation, reading, discussion.

Twelve Steps and the Four Noble Truths

For specific meeting dates, please see the BZC Calendar. Inspirational readings, relaxing meditations, shares. The only requirement to attend this meeting is the desire to live your life by the five precepts, which are training principles to help train the mind. And the desire to be free of your addiction and or compulsive behaviors. Meeting is online with Zoom, email for for more info. We welcome anyone seeking relief and recovery from the suffering caused by substance-related and behavioral addictions.

We have a rotation of speakers alternating with readings and discussions. Meeting format with a focus on developing wise relationships with others with a new reading and topic appropriate meditation each week. For a person suffering from an addiction, the steps can serve as helpful tools in his treatment and rehabilitation. For people who want to curb their addiction for good, you’re not required to be a Buddhist to practice and benefit from its teachings. Just knowing and following the main principles – especially the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path – can definitely help you in your road towards an addiction-free life. Refuge is a safe place, a place of protection—a place that we go to in times of need, a shelter.

Interview with Dr. Helen Ma: Buddhism’s Impact in Modern Psychology

Ideally, each meeting is led by different peer of the group so that no one becomes ‘the expert’ or ‘the leader. In other words, there are many paths to recovery. Our format begins with meditation instruction, followed by 15-minutes of sittingmeditation. The group will then share a reading, and then the floor will be open for discussion.We will end with a closing dedication.