November 2024 - Wise Friends

Written By Jordan Haldane

Dear Sangha,

As November wraps its crisp embrace around us, we witness nature's most profound lesson in letting go. The aspen leaves drift earthward, not in resignation but in perfect harmony with change—much like our own journey in recovery. Through the Buddha's teachings, we learn that transformation isn't merely inevitable, but essential to our healing. When we resist change, we create suffering; when we embrace it, we find freedom. Like trees shedding their leaves to prepare for new growth, this season invites us to examine what we might need to release: old patterns, limiting beliefs, or the illusion of control. As our sangha moves through this season of transformation together, we remain grounded in our practice while embracing change with grace and trust.

Sending peace,
Recovery Dharma Denver

Upcoming Events:

Gobble Til You Wobble Thanksgiving Feast

  • Advocates for Recovery Colorado Denver is hosting the annual Gobble Til’ You Wobble Thanksgiving feast! Bring your favorite dish, side dish, dessert, beverage, or just a huge appetite! Food, Football, and Community. All are welcome. Learn more

  • When: Thursday, November 28 — 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

  • Where: 3440 W. 71st Place, Westminster, United States

Mission Cares Thanksgiving Day Fest

  • When: Thursday, November 28 — Doors open at 11:30 AM, food is served at 12 PM

  • Where: Mission Ballroom 4242 N Wynkoop St. Denver, CO 80216

  • Free surface lot and garage parking available

  • Contact missionballroom@aegpresents.com for more info

Denver Recovery Dharma Intersangha Business Meeting

  • When: Sunday, December 1st — 6:45pm - 7:45pm

  • Where: The Phoenix Gym (Baby Champa Building) - 2239 Champa St. Denver, CO 80205

Join us if you are interested in getting more involved with the sangha! We will gather in the baby Champa building at The Phoenix on Champa following the Sunday meeting. We love to see fresh faces ready to deepen your involvement with our sangha and take on a service position. We have the following positions available:

  • Opener/Closer: We’re looking for dedicated volunteers to fill the opener/closer position, where you'll help create a welcoming environment by setting up the space, serving beverages, and ensuring everything is cleaned up and secured after the meeting—this is a shared role, and becoming a Phoenix volunteer is required! - Click here to learn more about becoming a Phoenix volunteer.

  • Outreach Chair: A vital role that helps foster connection and unity across our Denver Recovery Dharma community.

  • Marketing & Website Coordinator Chair: Help expand our reach and improve our online presence. If you have skills in marketing and social media, we’d love to have you join our team to support our growing Recovery Dharma community!

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.

From the Book:

Wise Intention
(pp 17-20)

Wise Intention describes the attitude or approach we take toward ourselves and the world. We can choose non-harming by avoiding actions that have harmful results, detaching from the cravings that seem overwhelming in the moment, and developing a kind and compassionate stance toward ourselves and the world. Wise Intention leads us to stop doing things based on confusion, ill-will, hatred, violence, and selfishness. It impacts all our relationships: with ourselves, other people, our community, and the world as a whole.

Click the link above to read the 2nd Edition of the Recovery Charma book, including updated to text and 14 personal stories of recovery from members of the community

Quote:

Just as a felled tree grows again
If the roots are unharmed and strong,
So suffering sprouts again and again
Until the tendency to crave is rooted out.

— Dhammapada verse 338 (translated by Gil Fronsdal)

Member Spotlight:

Share your story of how you came to commit to sobriety and how Recovery Dharma has supported your journey. Help build connections within the community and inspire others who might be struggling.

You are welcome to submit your story anonymously or include your name and picture to info@recoverydharmadenver.org. Stories can be any length and mention as many or as few details as you'd like.

Community Resources:

Recovery Dharma supports a holistic path to recovery. There is no one right way to recover! Adding more tools to your toolbox to facilitate your healing is always a good idea.

Here are some other community resources to check out:

Jordan Haldane
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October 2024 - Wise Friends