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

November 20 @ 9:30 pm - 10:45 pm PDT

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

Insight Recovery Sangha

December 18 @ 9:30 pm - 10:45 pm PDT

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

Insight Recovery Sangha

January 15, 2026 @ 9:30 pm - 10:45 pm PDT

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

Insight Recovery Sangha

February 19, 2026 @ 9:30 pm - 10:45 pm PDT

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

Insight Recovery Sangha

March 19, 2026 @ 9:30 pm - 10:45 pm PDT

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

Insight Recovery Sangha

October 16 @ 9:30 pm - 10:45 pm PDT

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

September 18 @ 9:30 pm - 10:45 pm PDT

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

August 21 @ 9:30 pm - 10:45 pm PDT

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

July 17 @ 9:30 pm - 10:45 pm PDT

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

June 19 @ 9:30 pm - 10:45 pm PDT

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...

How Buddhist Wisdom Helps Us Stay in Recovery – March Teaching with Walt Opie

March 2 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am PST
BRN Academy

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 PDT
BRN Academy

Next 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

December 3, 2023 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am PST
BRN Academy

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 PST

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...