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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20231203T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20231203T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20231213T063524Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231213T063524Z
UID:10001641-1701597600-1701601200@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Topic: My Journey Into Recovery and Dharma
DESCRIPTION: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 and alcohol since 1987\, and there have been plenty of ups and downs along the way. Finding the practice of insight meditation and the Buddha’s path of liberation gave me a new sense of possibility in my life after years of being clean and sober in 12 step meetings.\n \nI finally learned how to be more self-reliant. As the Buddha instructed in one sutta: “Dwell with yourselves as your own island\, with yourselves as your own refuge\, with no other refuge; dwell with the Dhamma as your island\, with the Dhamma as your refuge\, with no other refuge…” Of course\, Sangha (community)  is vitally important\, too. 
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/topic-my-journey-into-recovery-and-dharma/
LOCATION:BRN Academy
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240107T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240107T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20231213T063524Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240509T053102Z
UID:10001642-1704621600-1704625200@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Bringing the New Year in with Wisdom
DESCRIPTION:Every day is a new year\, and it’s an opportunity to do something different because the past has gone . However so many of us hold onto the past or cling onto a future that hasn’t even arrived. Today we will explore letting go and discovering a freedom in the present moment. Let’s leave behind our addictive and compulsive behaviors and face the reality of now!
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/vimalasara-january-2023/
LOCATION:BRN Academy
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240204T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240204T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20240204T180024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240205T060231Z
UID:10001643-1707040800-1707044400@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Mary Stancavage - Finding Ease in the Present Moment -
DESCRIPTION:Finding ease in the present moment can sometimes feel like an impossible task – there is so much going on in the world and in our own lives and it’s easy to become overwhelmed. When things are challenging\, we tend to fall into familiar patterns of reactivity which keep us either stuck in this overwhelm or getting lost in stories that don’t serve us. In this talk Mary will discuss different ways we get entangled and how we can get unstuck and move towards both equanimity and ease\, regardless of what’s going on. \n\nmarystancavage.org\nSeven Factors of Awakening\n\n 
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/mary-stancavage-finding-ease-in-the-present-moment/
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240303T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240303T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20240113T042943Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240205T060348Z
UID:10001644-1709460000-1709463600@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:BRN March Teaching
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/vince-cullen-march-2024/
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://buddhistrecovery.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Vince_Cullen_crop_300x272-l8wcyz.tmp_.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240303T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240303T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20240509T055449Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240509T055530Z
UID:10001836-1709460000-1709463600@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Vince Cullen - Higher Truths & Advanced Understandings
DESCRIPTION:The Buddha’s first official teaching was given to ‘noble ones’\, that is the five ascetics who trained alongside Gautama\, seeking an end to the suffering of this existence and an end to future rebirths. \nThe way out of suffering\, the Buddha said\, was the Middle Way; the middle path between the extremes of sensual existence. The first and most critical step of the Middle Way is appropriate understanding. And the first things we need to understand correctly are the realities and possibilities of being human. \nJoin me to explore what an advanced understanding of the ‘true’ realities of existence are and what an appropriate response might be in both our mental attitude and our engagement with the spectrum of sensuality. \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/vince-cullen-higher-truths-advanced-understandings/
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240407T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240407T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20240113T052238Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240509T055703Z
UID:10001645-1712484000-1712487600@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Kevin Griffin - Deepening Attunement to Body\, Feelings\, and Mind
DESCRIPTION:In this talk we will explore how recovery and mindfulness can make us more sensitive internally and externally. Such increasing awareness allows us to let go on profound levels and wake up to our inherent wisdom and wholeness. \n\n  \n  \n 
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/kevin-griffin-april-2004/
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240505T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240505T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20240405T053938Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240509T060142Z
UID:10001832-1714903200-1714906800@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Venerable Pannavari Bhikkhuni - Loosening the Pain of Regret
DESCRIPTION:The pain of regret can bind us.  We will discuss the ways we can unbind through the Dharma.
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/venerable-pannavari-bhikkhuni/
LOCATION:BRN Academy
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240602T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240602T100000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20240405T054652Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240610T035625Z
UID:10001835-1717322400-1717322400@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:How 'Not Wanting' is the Key
DESCRIPTION:Next BRN Academy teaching with Walt Opie — June 2nd 2024 @ 10:00am US Pacific Time \n\n\n\nI once heard the teacher Joseph Goldstein say on a retreat that what we are really practicing is “not wanting.” He added that this is the Third Noble Truth (of the Four Noble Truths). In this talk I will explore how I understand this and what it has meant to my practice and in my recovery process. Certainly when I was still drinking and using drugs I never once recall thinking that “not wanting” was the way to go.\n 
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/walt-opie/
LOCATION:BRN Academy
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://buddhistrecovery.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Walt_Opie_small-7Dpzpc.tmp_.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240707T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240707T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20240405T054349Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240710T052150Z
UID:10001833-1720346400-1720350000@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Gary Sanders - Just assume the answer to every question is compassion
DESCRIPTION:“Just assume the answer to every question is compassion” – Father Greg Boyle in his book Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion\n\nIn Buddhism\, compassion is the appropriate response to pain and whether we are new to sobriety and suffering the special kind of newcomer pain\, or in long term recovery and suffering the pain of everyday life…compassion is ALWAYS the answer.\n\nMy hope this BRN Academy session is to explore some areas in recovery that aren’t talked about a whole lot: interpersonal relationships\, secondary addictions\, untreated or under treated trauma\, and other topics that all can be proactively prepared for and met will compassion.\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/gary-sanders-2/
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240804T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240804T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20240405T054522Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240807T041519Z
UID:10001834-1722765600-1722769200@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:The Power of Choice
DESCRIPTION:Choices guide the manner in which we walk the path of Dharma. Can we use suffering to build joy? Can we turn the obstacles in our lives into good medicine for our growth? \n\nPrayer \n\n\n\nNama Butsu\, Nama Hou\, Nama Sou\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWe honor our teachers\, our teachings\, and our communities\,\nKnowing that as we do so\, we connect with that sacred center within each of us\nthat is the home of our deliverance from suffering.\nIt is our place of belonging\, our place of unity\, of communion\, of oneness—\nit is the Buddha nature which we all aspire to awaken.\nIt is the one Buddha mind that uplifts\, supports\, nurtures and encompasses us all.\n \nAs we unite together in oneness\, each reflecting upon our own lives\nand hearing the stories of other lives\,\nwe come to a place of understanding our common ground and our sameness\nand we release the suffering we have caused ourselves and others.\nThis moment is a change in our thinking\, our behavior\, our voices—\nwe come together in this truth—there is no separation between us.\n \nOur participation today\, is the beginning of a new way of showing up\,\na new understanding of well considered causes\,\nin recognition that we are interconnected and that all our actions have impact\,\nand always we are one.\nThe truth of this recognition fuels every moment of intentional interaction\nas we walk forward together on this day.\n \nWe are grateful for our awareness of our oneness in the Dharma;\nwe are grateful to know that we are victorious in our efforts for seeking awakening;\nwe are grateful to be alive to have each and every opportunity to transform our lives;\nwe are grateful that our hearts are a place of prayer;\nalways mindful\, always intent on walking this path of liberation.\n \nEach of our voices is a song of liberation;\ntogether we form a chorus of awakening that lifts us all out of suffering.\nThis is our truth—we are the Buddha’s children\,\n\n\n\n\n\n\nwe are the emissaries of love and compassion.\n\n\n\nTeacher Bio \nMyokei Caine-Barrett currently holds the position of Bishop of the Nichiren Shu Buddhist Order of North America.  She is the first woman and the first American to hold this position.  She is also the first American woman and first person of African American-Japanese descent to be fully ordained\, having completed this process in 2007 with  Archbishop Nissho Uchino  in Yamanashi Prefecture\, Japan.   She is the guiding teacher and resident priest at Myoken-ji Temple in Houston\, Texas. \n  \n\n\n\nMyokei Shonin continues to volunteer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as clergy to two prison Sanghas for the past 16 years in keeping with the Lotus Sutra teaching of full equality of all beings.  Her writings have been published in a variety of Buddhist magazines [Tricycle\, Lion’s Roar] and newspapers [Nichiren Shu News] and is featured in “The Hidden Lamp: Stories from Twenty-Five Centuries of Awakened Women.” She is currently developing curriculum for (1) the Nichiren Shu tradition and the Lotus Sutra and (2) dealing with the trauma of incarceration and racism. \n  \n\n\n\nShe also supports weekend trainings for Healing Warrior Hearts\, a Texas for Heroes project designed to truly welcome veterans home. Myokei Shonin is a facilitator in dialogues on racism and managing conflict mindfully. She is also a licensed Religious Science practitioner.
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/myokei-caine-barrett/
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240901T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20240901T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20240810T161408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240908T153321Z
UID:10002829-1725184800-1725188400@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Rev Christy Bates - Purification or Harmony?
DESCRIPTION:Topic of the teaching: “Purification or Harmony?” \n\nWe typically encounter the Teachings through the lens of a guilty self. Meanwhile\, our English translations tend to skew in that direction\, too. And we know that the suffering of greed\, hatred and delusion first-hand. What might it be like to encounter the Dhamma with an intent to harmonize and transmute these energies? Come join Christie Bates (Passatininna) as we explore together! \n\nChristy’s Website – https://www.passaticounseling.com/meditation\nChristy’s App – https://www.passaticounseling.com/thebeautifulhuman\nAṅgulimāla Sutta – https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN86.html
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/christy-bates-acharya-passatininna/
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20241006T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20241006T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20240810T161512Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241008T034022Z
UID:10002830-1728208800-1728212400@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Reaching Out and Connecting
DESCRIPTION:  \nWhen things are difficult\, it is all too easy to retreat into our own small worlds and lose connection with the bigger picture. Buddhist psychology suggests that as life takes its toll on us\, we tend to reduce our personal spheres. We trap ourselves in loops of thought and behaviour. These can be very self-destructive and addictive\, but breaking the cycles is not easy as they have been created over time and feel familiar and often (but not always) comforting. On the other hand\, when we find the courage to move on\, life becomes richer. Moving on is about connection. Connection to the world\, ourselves and our environment. It can take many forms\, but ultimately it involves trusting that the connection is worth making and allowing ourselves to be embraced by the reality that surrounds us.
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/caroline-brazier/
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20241103T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20241103T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20240113T052515Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241105T055749Z
UID:10001646-1730628000-1730631600@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Equanimity and Compassion for Precarious Times
DESCRIPTION:Fresh “Lev” White is a love and compassion activist. He offers mindfulness\, mediation\, and diversity trainings as tools for shifting towards more authentic\, conscious\, and passionate living. He teaches and writes about how unconditional love and self-compassion are the ultimate gateways to honoring and understanding others; thus\, healing our communities and our planet. \nRead more about Fresh on our Fresh “Lev” White teacher page.
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/fresh-lev-white/
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20241201T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20241201T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20240113T052650Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241205T022246Z
UID:10001647-1733047200-1733050800@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:December 2024 BRN Academy Teaching - Great Compassion
DESCRIPTION:Opportunity! \nMBAR (Mindfulness Based Addiction Recovery) Course\nDecember 9\, 2024 – January 4\, 2025 \n\n28 days of support during xmas and new year – one 15 minute coaching video sent  a day – and meet Vimalasara on a webinar if you have extra time to support your recovery\n\n\nSpecial Price for BRN ($90)\n\nwww.eventbrite.com/e/906074642647/?discount=VSMailingList \n\n\n\nTeacher Bio\nVimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John was the co-founder and guiding teacher of Healing and Insight\, an online faculty that explored the sharp edges of suffering. Award-winning author of 11 books\, they are the co-founder and co-author of Eight Step Recovery: Using The Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction\, with 8 step meetings in 3 continents. This year their new book a First Aid Kit for the Mind: Breaking the Cycle of Habitual Behaviours was published.  They are one of the founding facilitators of Dr Gabor Mate’s Compassionate Inquiry. They live on the unceded territory of Kanata.
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/vimalasara-mason-john/
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250105T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250105T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20241210T020733Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250109T062536Z
UID:10003027-1736071200-1736074800@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Mature Recovery: Going Beyond the Self with Anshin Devin Ashwood
DESCRIPTION: 
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/january-2025-teaching/
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250202T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250202T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20241210T020915Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250204T063605Z
UID:10003028-1738490400-1738494000@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Meeting the moment with a Clear Heart with Carol Cano
DESCRIPTION:Meeting the moment of high stress with a clear heart involves embracing the challenge with a sense of calm and purpose. It’s about grounding yourself in the present\, acknowledging the pressure without letting it overwhelm you. A clear heart means letting go of unnecessary tension\, judgment\, or fear\, and instead responding with clarity\, focus\, and compassion. It’s the ability to breathe deeply\, find inner strength\, and choose the most thoughtful and constructive course of action. In these moments\, your heart remains steady\, and you allow yourself to move through the stress with grace and resilience\, knowing that the situation is temporary and that you have the tools to navigate it effectively. \n“Buddhadasa Bhikkhu reminds us that Dhamma is always available to us\, in every moment. It is not an external concept\, but an inner experience that we can touch in our daily lives.”
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/february-2025-teaching/
LOCATION:BRN Academy
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250302T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250302T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20250204T043950Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250307T013855Z
UID:10003030-1740909600-1740913200@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:How Buddhist Wisdom Helps Us Stay in Recovery - March Teaching with Walt Opie
DESCRIPTION: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 certain point\, we start to see how they can help aim us in the right direction and guide our thinking. This leads to healthier\, more wholesome actions and habits\, and it can motivate us to really want to stay in recovery from addictions. We start to see more clearly the ways we can reduce suffering in our lives.
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/march-teaching-with-walt-opie/
LOCATION:BRN Academy
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250406T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250406T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20250204T044135Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250412T061423Z
UID:10003031-1743933600-1743937200@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Returning to Our Luminosity: The Aggañña Sutta & Breaking Free from Binding Ways
DESCRIPTION:Meditation and Dharma Talk with time for Q & A \nThe Aggañña Sutta offers a striking lens through which we can understand how systems of power\, craving\, and division take root—both in the world and within ourselves. This teaching traces the movement from a time of luminosity and ease into a world shaped by grasping\, hierarchy\, and suffering. How does this sutta help us better understand the forces of capitalism\, oppression\, and instability that reinforce patterns of craving? And more importantly\, how can we break free from the binding ways that keep us caught in cycles of suffering? Through this teaching\, we will examine how recognizing the constructed nature of the world and our conditioned responses allows us to loosen the grip of craving and move toward a truer liberation.
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/april-teaching-with-venerable-clear-grace-dayananda/
LOCATION:BRN Academy
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250504T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250504T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20250204T044244Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T033933Z
UID:10003032-1746352800-1746356400@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Who Is Myself?
DESCRIPTION:Exploring identity in the context of Dharma and recovery. \n \nMeditation and Dharma Talk with time for Q & A
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/may-teaching-with-kevin-griffin/
LOCATION:BRN Academy
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250601T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250601T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20250204T044348Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250615T155551Z
UID:10003033-1748772000-1748775600@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Building a Foundation for Freedom
DESCRIPTION:When we are caught in addictive behaviors\, we’re often acting from habits that have been strengthened over the years\, and which can be difficult to break. The Buddha’s teaching on liberation and awakening\, the Eightfold Path\, also offers us a path to freedom from these habits.  When we intentionally use this path as a roadmap for how we move through the world\, we are building a foundation that is strong and serves us in all aspects of our lives. It’s a foundation that offers freedom from addiction. \n 
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/june-teaching-with-mary-stancavage/
LOCATION:BRN Academy
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250706T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250706T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20250602T051854Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250713T051625Z
UID:10003091-1751796000-1751799600@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Recovering the Heart: Loving Kindness as a Path to Addiction Recovery
DESCRIPTION:Mikey Livid (he/him) is a Buddhist teacher\, author\, and counselor. Mikey is the guiding teacher at Wild Heart Meditation Center in Nashville\, TN. He regularly brings Buddhist meditation classes into addiction treatment centers\, prisons\, and a variety of settings. Mikey is the author of his upcoming book Blood\, Guts\, & Buddhism: The Dharma of Horror Movies\, Heartbreak\, and The Nature of Suffering. Mikey is the co-host of the punk rock\, mental health podcast Punks On Hope and is the singer for the punk band The Rip Taylors. \nMikey is a Buddhist teacher who has been empowered to teach in both Theravada and Mahayana traditions through the authorization of Ven. Pannavati Bhikkhuni and Ven. Pannadipa Bhikkhu. Mikey also holds a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. He integrates these two worlds: the old school Buddhist teachings with new school psychology\, in a way to help individuals free themselves from suffering of all kinds. \nLINKS:\nhttps://linktr.ee/MikeyLivid\nhttps://www.wildheartmeditationcenter.org \n 
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/mikey-livid-recovering-the-heart/
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250803T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250803T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20250707T141556Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250807T052433Z
UID:10003272-1754215200-1754218800@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Building a RAFT: From Addicted Doctor to Freedom
DESCRIPTION:BRN Academy with Dr. Cathryn Jacob – August 3\, 2025\n\n  \n\n\nCathryn Jacob is a retired medical doctor who has dedicated herself to the study and teachings of Secular Dharma and early Buddhist teachings. Her recovery journey began with the 12-step program\, where she became both a sponsor and teacher\, but challenges with the concept of a higher power led her to explore alternative paths. This exploration brought her to the transformative teachings of the dharma\, eventually focusing on Secular Buddhism through the works of Stephen and Martine Batchelor. \n\n\n\nCathryn has completed advanced studies in Secular Dharma\, including a year-long course at Bodhi College and is currently attending the Committed Practitioner Programme. She gained deep insights and practical tools for integrating the dharma into daily life. She is also a meditation instructor and founder of RAFT to Freedom\, a secular dharma-inspired addiction recovery group that offers a structured program combining Buddhist teachings and practical skills for overcoming addiction. For more information\, please visit raft2freedom.org. \n\n\n\nBeyond her dharma work\, Cathryn enjoys creative pursuits such as sewing\, ceramics\, art\, and watercolour painting\, which bring balance and joy to her life.
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/august-teaching/
LOCATION:BRN Academy
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250907T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250907T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20250807T040926Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250920T164259Z
UID:10003278-1757239200-1757242800@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:The Buddha's Intoxications
DESCRIPTION:In this session\, Vince explored Gotama’s early life and his own “intoxications” with youth\, health\, and life itself\, drawing parallels to the universal human journey of recognising the patterns that hold us back and embarking on a noble search for freedom.   The talk is based on chapter two of the RAFT to Freedom Workbook that is being made available freely online at RAFT2Freedom.org. Feel free to sign-up for the RAFT to Freedom newsletter on the website. \n\n \nAbout VinceHaving drunk alcoholically from the age of 14 until 39\, Vince Cullen sat in his kitchen and poured a glass of lager. He made a promise to himself that this would be his last drink… ever. That was 25-years ago. Since then\, he has been associated with Wat Thamkrabok\, the famous detox monastery in Thailand and Buddhist-oriented drug and alcohol recovery. \n\n\n \nVince founded and has facilitated Fifth Precept Sangha meditation-for-awakening Sit-and-Share meetings in England\, Scotland\, Ireland\, India\, Nepal\, Thailand and the USA as part of his ongoing teaching of Hungry Ghost Retreats. He is a board member of the Buddhist Recovery Network and a keynote speaker at Buddhist Recovery Summits.
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/september-teaching-with-vince-cullen/
LOCATION:BRN Academy
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251005T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251005T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20250727T153437Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251007T045157Z
UID:10003273-1759658400-1759662000@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Starting Over: Recovery and the Courage to Begin Again
DESCRIPTION:Recovery is not about perfection. It’s about beginning again—again and again. In this month’s BRN Academy talk Silasiri explores the courage and compassion it takes to let go of the past\, return to the present\, and choose a new way forward. The Buddha’s teachings remind us that each moment is a fresh start. With beginner’s mind and self-compassion\, we can create a healing environment that supports growth\, resilience\, and recovery.  \n\nSilasiri engaged with the Buddhist Recovery Network in early 2018 as it launched its maiden year of Academy talks\, and greatly enjoyed co-hosting this monthly program through 2021. By way of meditation\, Dharma study and a beautiful and supportive Sangha\, she moved into recovery from childhood trauma\, substance abuse\, and self-loathing\, and continues to deepen her understanding of compassionate healing as taught by the Buddha and shared by the recovery community. A long-time peace and environmental activist and animal lover\, Silasiri was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Movement in May 2021.  She’s an accounting manager for nonprofits\, and currently serves as the BRN’s Board President and Interim Treasurer. She supports Dharma study\, anti-racism work\, and Eco-Sattva training within her Sangha and in the community at large\, and embraces the dana economy for all the freely given resources that it circulates among us.
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/october-2025-teaching/
LOCATION:BRN Academy
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251102T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251102T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20250727T153642Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251108T152008Z
UID:10003274-1762077600-1762081200@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Angulimala and the Wreckage of our Past
DESCRIPTION:Many of us come into recovery\, change our lives completely\, and then get utterly surprised and disappointed when the closest ones around us still don’t trust or believe us. Some of us have to gruelingly trudge through legal repercussions for many years after committing to recovery.  These issues and an infinite of other problems commonly plague our lot\, and in the 12 Step world\, this is referred to as the “wreckage of our past”.\nThankfully\, we have some beautiful and helpful Buddhist teachings to fall back on\, including the story of the notorious Angulimala\, a serial killer that almost killed The Buddha’s mother!\nLet’s gather together and discuss what we\, even the WORST of us\, can do about this “wreckage of our past”.\n\nGary Sanders \nGary Sanders is a seasoned meditation teacher and dharma guide based in Los Angeles\, CA. As the founder of SCV Mindfulness\, Heavy Metta PDX\, Boundless Heart\, and others\, Gary has dedicated himself to sharing the transformative power of Buddhist practices with diverse communities across North America.\n\nAuthorized to lead Buddhist meditation and dharma groups at Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society\, Gary’s teaching journey expanded when he joined the staff at Portland Insight Meditation Community. There\, he was honored to be empowered to teach in the lineage of the revered Ruth Denison. \nGary’s approach is deeply rooted in the heart-based practices of the Buddha\, which he explores and shares through daylong retreats\, workshops\, and online sessions. His current practice focuses on Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation\, which he has skillfully integrated into a unique blend of mindfulness techniques. \nAs a frequent contributor to The Tattooed Buddha community\, Buddhist Recovery Network\, and other communities and platforms\, Gary creates meditation videos that make Buddhist teachings accessible and relevant to contemporary practitioners. His compassionate guidance and innovative teaching methods have touched the lives of students across the globe\, helping them cultivate mindfulness\, wisdom\, and inner peace.
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/november-2025-teaching/
LOCATION:BRN Academy
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251207T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20251207T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20250727T153849Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251210T060054Z
UID:10003275-1765101600-1765105200@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Liberate Yourself from Addictive Behaviors
DESCRIPTION:Meditation and Dharma Talk with time for Q & AJoin the Teaching https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87579202512?pwd=b3PXF6s4kd3HHgoqSeZNzNDhzdcYnw.1      Meeting ID: 875 7920 2512 and passcode: 414176 \nSignup and Support herehttps://givebutter.com/DEC25More About the Teaching \n\n\nAre you navigating the challenges of recovery\, seeking a deeper\, more integrated path to healing? Join Vimalasara\, co-founder of the groundbreaking 8 Step Recovery and Mindfulness Based Recovery Program\, for a transformative session. \nOn Sunday the 7th\, we will explore the 7 Awakening Factors—a core Buddhist teaching that provides a practical and profound roadmap to freedom. This Academy is designed for anyone who wants to: \n\nFind a sustainable way out of addictive and compulsive cycles.\nStrengthen their current recovery journey.\nLearn how to seamlessly integrate powerful Buddhist principles into a recovery program.\n\n\n\nDr. Vimalasara) Mason-JoY M.A (hon.doc)\nhas been hailed by Dr. Ken Hardy as “one of the premier social\, cultural\, and psychological healers of our time.” They are an    award-winning author of 11 books : Detox Your Heart\, Meditations for Emotional Trauma\, and Eight Step Recovery: Using The Buddha’s Teachings to Overcome Addiction.  This year their new book a First Aid Kit for the Mind: Breaking the Cycle of Habitual Behaviours was published.  They are one of the founding facilitators of Dr Gabor Mate’s Compassionate Inquiry. They live on the unceded territory of Kanata.They are a co-founder of the secular 8-week course Mindfulness-Based Addiction Recovery MBAR and is one of the new leading African Descent Voices in the field of Mindfulness Approaches for Addiction. They are one of the founders for Freedom Together\, a mindfulness course by BIPOC for BIPOC. They live in BC. www.valeriemason-john.com
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/december-2025-teaching/
LOCATION:BRN Academy
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://buddhistrecovery.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/vimalasara.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260104T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260104T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20251209T064240Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260109T062630Z
UID:10003283-1767520800-1767524400@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Remembering to Remember. What would be wise for us to remember?
DESCRIPTION: As we enter a new (Gregorian) new year (also\, a new day\, moment\, hour) we can take a moment to reflect on this practice of remembering to remember as well as our practice of recovery and how they support one another. \nWhat would be wise for us to remember? In this time together\, we will talk about remembering what is wholesome/skillful and wise according to the Buddhist suttas and how that can support us in our recovery.  \nLinks \n\nConnect with Dalila on her website\nDana (Donations)\nFind Her: The Power of Connection – January 2026\nListen: Cosmic Clowns Podcast\n Read: Nature Needs a New Pronoun\n\n 
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/dalila-bothwells-january-teaching/
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260201T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260201T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20260105T025853Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260207T133214Z
UID:10003287-1769940000-1769943600@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Living in Vow - BRN Academy with Ryuko Laura Burges
DESCRIPTION:Living in Vow\n \n\n\nRyuko Laura Burges is a lay entrusted dharma teacher in the Soto Zen tradition\, teaching and leading retreats in California. She received monastic training at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. A longtime educator\, Laura co-founded the Meditation in Recovery programs at San Francisco Zen Center. She has been featured in Tricycle Magazine and Buddhadharma and her books include Wisdom Stories of Tibet (2025)\, the first volume in a three-part series that will also feature wisdom stories from India and Japan. Other titles from Shambhala Publications are The Zen Way of Recovery: An Illuminated Path Out of the Darkness of Addiction (2023)\, Zen for Kids (2023)\, and Buddhist Stories for Kids (2022). \n \nPhoto Credit: Lauren Rudser \n\n\n  \n  \n\n 
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/february-brn-academy-with-ryuko-laura-burges/
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260301T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260301T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20260105T032149Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260304T063339Z
UID:10003288-1772359200-1772362800@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Happiness Follows Like a Never-Departing Shadow
DESCRIPTION:More About George \n\n\nGeorge Beecher first encountered the Dharma in 2010 when he read Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr. Lilian Cheung’s book Savor\, about mindful eating and the Buddhist path. Over the next 11 months\, George lost 110 pounds and found a passion for the Dharma. This passion for sharing the Dharma led him to found his own local meditation group\, Two Hands Sangha\, in 2012\, and in the Mindful Eating and Living Sangha (M.E.A.L.S.) program in 2014. He has since launched and led various in-person and online Buddhist communities including over 30 Recovery Dharma chapters. He served the Recovery Dharma community at both the local and national level as it formed and grew to over 500 chapters worldwide. \nIn 2018\, he graduated as a Certified Facilitator through the original Against The Stream Buddhist Meditation Society\, taught by Vinny Ferraro and JoAnna Hardy\, and in June 2022 he completed the Dharmacharya training program with Venerables Pannavati and Pannadipa of Heartwood Refuge and ordained as Reverend George Beecher (Dharmacharya Khantu-Abatti). \nIn 2020\, he started the first ever Recovery Dharma meeting in virtual reality and enjoys teaching the Dharma and leading meditations twice a week with the MindfulnessVR Community. \nRead more about Rev. George Beecher and Listen to his Podcast : Teas with Mara Here \nhttps://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com/ \n\n\n  \nMore About the Academy \nThe Academy has invited some of the leading teachers in the field of Buddhist recovery. On the first Sunday of every month for an hour each teacher will explore the sharp edges of suffering through the lens of the Buddhist Teachings. \nThe Academy brings together teachers from different Buddhist lineages and approaches. Themes like addiction\, alcoholism\, depression\, stinking thinking and compulsive behaviors will be explored. \nDuring this event we will meditate\, listen to the teaching\, then have time for a Q & A at the end.
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/march-brn-academy-with-george-beecher/
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
ORGANIZER;CN="Rev. George Beecher":MAILTO:keoki98@gmail.com
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260405T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260405T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T131933
CREATED:20260105T035037Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260327T135815Z
UID:10003289-1775383200-1775386800@buddhistrecovery.org
SUMMARY:Transforming the Heart
DESCRIPTION:April BRN Academy\nSUNDAY April 5\, 2026 at 10AM PST  \nWith BRN Board President Walt Opie \nTransforming the Heart\nBoth Buddhist practice and recovery from addiction point to an inner transformation of the heart. As practicing addicts\, our hearts may have been pretty shut down\, which we may not even realize until it starts to open in recovery\, perhaps quite slowly at first. One of the wonderful things about Buddhist practice is that we learn we can train the heart through certain practices like lovingkindness (metta). Then we realize we’re not practicing Buddhist recovery for ourselves alone–we’re also learning how to benefit others. In fact\, the Buddha encouraged us to be a refuge for all beings. \n\n\nMore About the Academy \nThe Academy has invited some of the leading teachers in the field of Buddhist recovery. On the first Sunday of every month for an hour each teacher will explore the sharp edges of suffering through the lens of the Buddhist Teachings. \nThe Academy brings together teachers from different Buddhist lineages and approaches. Themes like addiction\, alcoholism\, depression\, stinking thinking and compulsive behaviors will be explored. \nDuring this event we will meditate\, listen to the teaching\, then have time for a Q & A at the end. \nDana\nThis 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 . Your support will also allow us to connect with you and send you a reminder\, 24 hours and 1 hour before the event. \nZOOM LINK\nClick to Join via this Zoom Link  \nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/87579202512?pwd=b3PXF6s4kd3HHgoqSeZNzNDhzdcYnw.1 \nMeeting ID: 875 7920 2512  and passcode: 414176
URL:https://buddhistrecovery.org/event/april-brn-academy/
CATEGORIES:Academy Teachings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://buddhistrecovery.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-design-5.png
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