Heart of Recovery

Recovery, Mindfulness & Spiritual Growth Note: This retreat begins with a weekend program and extends into a weeklong version with additional teachings and practices. See below. Grounded in the principles of meditation and select Buddhist teachings, this program provides tools to gain insight into the connection between body, mind, and breath while working with difficult emotions. Participants are invited to explore these practices within a compassionate community, fostering a sense of connection and mutual support. Guided by the lens of the Shambhala path, the program integrates themes from Eric's book, Recovery Lojong, which bridges recovery with mindfulness and spiritual growth. Together, we’ll explore how the principles of recovery align with meditation and Buddhist fundamentals, empowering participants to cultivate greater clarity, resilience, and joy in their lives. This program is ideal for those ready to explore the intersection of recovery and spirituality with curiosity and an open heart. The fruition of recovery is a sense of connection and opening of our hearts to help others. Over the course of the weekend we will discuss the journey from self-centered to other-centered as we continue to develop the bravery of living a life free from our addictions. Going Deeper Heart of Recovery begins with the weekend program that covers the above fundamentals. The weeklong program continues from there and deepens our practice and understanding of the journey of awakening our hearts. Participants in the weeklong program will be given the opportunity to explore additional ideas from the practice of Lojong. The practice of lojong is a traditional training system designed to provide an opening of the heart (i.e. spiritual awakening) so that we can be of service to the world around us. These practices can help us traverse the challenges of addiction and recovery. Activities & Teachings Through group meditation, discussions, and talks we will explore the journey of sobriety, framed around what is traditionally called the “three yana journey” of Buddhism (yana can be translated as “vehicle”), overlaying those journeys with the path of our freedom from addictions of all types. There will be periods of: Silence Meditation Formal Discussions Casual Discussions and Conversation Exploration of the Awakening Springtime Environment of Karmê Chöling Who Should Attend Participants who have a commitment to bringing caring attention to an addiction in sobriety are welcome to attend. Previous experience with meditation is not necessary, nor is experience with the 12 Step recovery method. Participants will be guided through the teachings and practices of both of these disciplines. Note on sobriety:  This retreat is for anyone seeking release from addictive behaviours and patterns in their lives (whether with food, drugs, alcohol, sex etc…), including those in painful relationships with addicts. All participants are required to commit to abstain from drinking or other non-prescribed substances, regardless of whether they are working specifically with drug and alcohol issues during the weekend and on the Karmê Chöling land. Arrival & Departure Friday, please arrive 3:00 - 6:00pm for registration. Dinner will be served at 6:30pm. The program will officially begin at 7:30pm. On Thursday, the program will finish by 12:30pm with lunch afterwards. Getting Here Visit our Directions and Transportation page to see different options for traveling to Karmê Chöling.