Walt Opie is a Buddhist teacher in the insight meditation tradition. He was trained to teach through the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leaders program (mentored by Kevin Griffin) and more recently as part of the 2017-2021 Insight Meditation Society’s (IMS) Retreat Teacher Training program. Walt has led sitting groups specifically for people in addiction recovery since 2011. He has also served as a volunteer facilitator in a California prison for many years. His journey into recovery began at the age of 21. He lives in Berkeley, CA with his wife and their young daughter. His website is www.waltopie.com.
Insight Recovery Sangha
The Insight Recovery Sangha will meet monthly on Zoom and is for anyone (self-identified) who is working with strong cravings or addictions. We will meditate, hear short dharma talks related to Buddhist teachings and recovery, and share candidly with each other in community. The purpose of this group is to foster community and learn how to apply teachings on mindfulness, compassion and wisdom to our recovery program.
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. We have no affiliations with any other organizations and this is not a 12-Step group, although various known addiction recovery modalities may be referred to from time to time. This group is open to everyone. There is no need to qualify for membership when you introduce yourself to the group. However, we do believe this group will work best for those committed to a life free from substance abuse and harmful addictive behaviors. The teachers, Walt Opie and Dalila Bothwell, will serve as group facilitators, dharma teachers, and sangha (community) members. Over time, there will be guest teachers, as well. There is no fee to enroll in the Insight Recovery Sangha. If you would like to support this program or your teachers, you may make an offering within the program platform after you enroll. Enroll at ims.dharma.org/courses/insight-recovery-sangha-2025April BRN Academy with Walt Opie
April 5 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am PDT
April BRN Academy
SUNDAY April 5, 2026 at 10AM PSTΒ With BRN Board President Walt OpieDana
This event is offered freely, but signing up with any donation helps support the Buddhist Recovery Network mission to promote the use of Buddhist teachings and practices to help people recover from the suffering caused by addictive behaviors .Β Your support will also allow us to connect with you and send you a reminder, 24 hours and 1 hour before the event.ZOOM LINK
Click to Join via this Zoom LinkΒ https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87579202512?pwd=b3PXF6s4kd3HHgoqSeZNzNDhzdcYnw.1 Meeting ID: 875 7920 2512 Β and passcode: 414176Insight Recovery Sangha
The Insight Recovery Sangha will meet monthly on Zoom and is for anyone (self-identified) who is working with strong cravings or addictions. We will meditate, hear short dharma talks related to Buddhist teachings and recovery, and share candidly with each other in community. The purpose of this group is to foster community and learn how to apply teachings on mindfulness, compassion and wisdom to our recovery program.
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. We have no affiliations with any other organizations and this is not a 12-Step group, although various known addiction recovery modalities may be referred to from time to time. This group is open to everyone. There is no need to qualify for membership when you introduce yourself to the group. However, we do believe this group will work best for those committed to a life free from substance abuse and harmful addictive behaviors. The teachers, Walt Opie and Dalila Bothwell, will serve as group facilitators, dharma teachers, and sangha (community) members. Over time, there will be guest teachers, as well. There is no fee to enroll in the Insight Recovery Sangha. If you would like to support this program or your teachers, you may make an offering within the program platform after you enroll. Enroll at ims.dharma.org/courses/insight-recovery-sangha-2025Insight Recovery Sangha
The Insight Recovery Sangha will meet monthly on Zoom and is for anyone (self-identified) who is working with strong cravings or addictions. We will meditate, hear short dharma talks related to Buddhist teachings and recovery, and share candidly with each other in community. The purpose of this group is to foster community and learn how to apply teachings on mindfulness, compassion and wisdom to our recovery program.
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. We have no affiliations with any other organizations and this is not a 12-Step group, although various known addiction recovery modalities may be referred to from time to time. This group is open to everyone. There is no need to qualify for membership when you introduce yourself to the group. However, we do believe this group will work best for those committed to a life free from substance abuse and harmful addictive behaviors. The teachers, Walt Opie and Dalila Bothwell, will serve as group facilitators, dharma teachers, and sangha (community) members. Over time, there will be guest teachers, as well. There is no fee to enroll in the Insight Recovery Sangha. If you would like to support this program or your teachers, you may make an offering within the program platform after you enroll. Enroll at ims.dharma.org/courses/insight-recovery-sangha-2025Insight Recovery Sangha
The Insight Recovery Sangha will meet monthly on Zoom and is for anyone (self-identified) who is working with strong cravings or addictions. We will meditate, hear short dharma talks related to Buddhist teachings and recovery, and share candidly with each other in community. The purpose of this group is to foster community and learn how to apply teachings on mindfulness, compassion and wisdom to our recovery program.
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. We have no affiliations with any other organizations and this is not a 12-Step group, although various known addiction recovery modalities may be referred to from time to time. This group is open to everyone. There is no need to qualify for membership when you introduce yourself to the group. However, we do believe this group will work best for those committed to a life free from substance abuse and harmful addictive behaviors. The teachers, Walt Opie and Dalila Bothwell, will serve as group facilitators, dharma teachers, and sangha (community) members. Over time, there will be guest teachers, as well. There is no fee to enroll in the Insight Recovery Sangha. If you would like to support this program or your teachers, you may make an offering within the program platform after you enroll. Enroll at ims.dharma.org/courses/insight-recovery-sangha-2025
Previous Teachings
Insight Recovery Sangha
The Insight Recovery Sangha will meet monthly on Zoom and is for anyone (self-identified) who is working with strong cravings or addictions. We will meditate, hear short dharma talks related...
Insight Recovery Sangha
The Insight Recovery Sangha will meet monthly on Zoom and is for anyone (self-identified) who is working with strong cravings or addictions. We will meditate, hear short dharma talks related...
Insight Recovery Sangha
The Insight Recovery Sangha will meet monthly on Zoom and is for anyone (self-identified) who is working with strong cravings or addictions. We will meditate, hear short dharma talks related...
Insight Recovery Sangha
The Insight Recovery Sangha will meet monthly on Zoom and is for anyone (self-identified) who is working with strong cravings or addictions. We will meditate, hear short dharma talks related...
Facing Our Inner Demons – Online Summit 2025
October 18, 2025 @ 8:30 am - October 19, 2025 @ 12:00 pm PDTFacing Our Inner Demons – BRN Online Summit A 2-day Buddhist recovery summit of tools, truth, and transformation. October 18th and 19th, 2025 8:30am β 12:00pm PDT 11:30am β 3:00pm...
Insight Recovery Sangha
The Insight Recovery Sangha will meet monthly on Zoom and is for anyone (self-identified) who is working with strong cravings or addictions. We will meditate, hear short dharma talks related...
Insight Recovery Sangha
The Insight Recovery Sangha will meet monthly on Zoom and is for anyone (self-identified) who is working with strong cravings or addictions. We will meditate, hear short dharma talks related...
Insight Recovery Sangha
The Insight Recovery Sangha will meet monthly on Zoom and is for anyone (self-identified) who is working with strong cravings or addictions. We will meditate, hear short dharma talks related...
Insight Recovery Sangha
The Insight Recovery Sangha will meet monthly on Zoom and is for anyone (self-identified) who is working with strong cravings or addictions. We will meditate, hear short dharma talks related...
Insight Recovery Sangha
The Insight Recovery Sangha will meet monthly on Zoom and is for anyone (self-identified) who is working with strong cravings or addictions. We will meditate, hear short dharma talks related...
Online: A Verified Kind of Faith β Buddhism & Addiction Recovery with Walt Opie
June 5, 2025 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm EDTOnline: A Verified Kind of Faith β Buddhism & Addiction Recovery with Walt Opie Thursday, June 5, 2025 | 6:30pm β 8:30pm ET (via Zoom) For many of us in...
How Buddhist Wisdom Helps Us Stay in Recovery – March Teaching with Walt Opie
The first two path factors of the Noble Eightfold Path, namely Right View and Right Intention, combine to be the wisdom factors. When we understand and develop these to a...
How ‘Not Wanting’ is the Key
June 2, 2024 @ 10:00 am PDTNext BRN Academy teaching with Walt Opie — June 2nd 2024 @ 10:00am US Pacific Time I once heard the teacher Joseph Goldstein say on a retreat that what we...
Topic: My Journey Into Recovery and Dharma
Since this is my first time speaking at the BRN Academy, I thought I would share some stories about my personal journey with you. I’ve been in recovery from drugs...
My Journey Into Recovery and Dharma
December 3, 2023 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am PSTSince this is my first time speaking at the BRN Academy, I thought I would share some stories about my personal journey with you. I’ve been in recovery from drugs...
All Academy Teachers
- Anshin Devin Ashwood
- Carol Cano
- Caroline Brazier
- Cathryn Jacob
- Caverly Morgan
- Dalila Bothwell
- Dave Smith
- Eddie LeShure
- Fresh βLevβ White
- Gary Sanders
- Gaylon Ferguson
- George Johns
- Joan Tollifson
- Joseph Clements
- Kaira Jewel Lingo
- Kara Haney
- Kate Johnston
- Kevin Griffin
- Laura Burges
- Loch Kelly
- Martine Batchelor
- Mary Stancavage
- Mikey Livid
- Myokei Caine-Barrett
- Pablo Das
- Rachel Lewis
- Ralph Steele
- Rev. Christie Bates (Acharya Passatininna)
- Rev. George Beecher
- Ruth King
- Silasiri
- Steven Tierney, Ed.D.
- Thomas Tran
- Tuere Sala
- Vanessa Wang
- Ven Pannavati Bhikkhuni
- Ven. Dr. Pannavati
- Venerable Clear Grace Dayananda
- Vimalasara Mason-John
- Vince Cullen




