Buddhist Recovery Retreat: Using the Dharma to Overcome Addiction

In this inaugural retreat, we introduce Buddhist recovery through the lens of the 12 Step model and the 8 Step Recovery Buddhist program that can be a complement or an alternative to other recovery programs. We welcome people to this retreat of all genders, sexualities, races, classes and cultures, who are working in recovery from any kind of addictive substance or behavior. This retreat will be co-led by Kevin Griffin, who popularized 12 Steps and Buddhism, and Valerie (Vimalasara) Mason-John, who co-founded Eight Step Recovery, Using the Buddhist Teachings to Overcome Addiction.

Participation in this retreat will help you:

• Gain deeper knowledge of the basic teachings
• Learn how to integrate core Buddhist principles into your recovery program
• Develop specific Loving Kindness and Mindfulness practices to support your daily recovery
• Invest in your ‘Recovery Capital’, internal and external resources necessary to help achieve and maintain recovery from substance misuse as well as make behavioral changes.
• Integrate traditional Buddhist teachings into a 12-Step program, with special emphasis on finding a non-theistic approach to the Steps.
• Explore the importance of cultivating Loving Kindness towards ourselves, and how this can help to support our sobriety of mind. Many of us with addictions have such low self-esteem or shame about our past actions, that Loving Kindness is an imperative antidote for our “stinking thinking” and proliferation of thought.

Partial Scholarship Opportunities

We are very happy to be able to offer a limited number of partial scholarship opportunities for this retreat. Do note that these will be offered to guests in need on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to our director Michael Burbank at mburbank@menla.org for more information.

Work/trade options also available. This rate includes 50% off of program tuition, accommodations and meals in exchange for a minimum of 3 hours of work a day. If you are interested in this option please email registration@menla.org

Schedule

Thursday, July 5th

• 3 – 7pm Arrival and Check-in
• 6 – 7pm Dinner
• 7:30pm Welcome and Evening Program – Kevin and Valerie – Group Share and Q&A

Friday, July 6th

• 7 – 8am Morning Yoga with Selena
• 8 – 9am Breakfast
• 9:30 – 11:30am Morning Program with Kevin
  • Opening Sit
  • Break
  • Introduction to Buddhism 12 Step session
• 12 – 1pm Lunch
• 1 – 4pm Free time for spa treatments, hiking, personal activities
• 2:30 – 3:30pm One on one with teachers (optional) (10 mins slots)
• 4 – 6pm Afternoon Program With Vimalasara (Valerie)
  • Opening sit – inquiry
  • Four Basic Need Heart
  • The Importance of Attention, Affection, Appreciation, Acceptance towards ourselves. 
• 6 – 7pm Dinner
• 7:30pm Evening Program: 8 Step Recovery Meetings
• Silence Overnight until after breakfast

Saturday, July 7th

• 7 – 8am Morning Yoga with Selena
• 8 – 9am Breakfast
• 9:30 – 11:30am Morning Program
  • Opening sit – Inquiry
  • Introduction to the 8 step Recovery Program
• 12 – 1pm Lunch
• 1 – 4pm Free time for spa treatments, hiking, personal activities
• 2:30 – 3:30pm One on one with teachers (optional) (10 mins slots)
• 4 – 6pm Afternoon Program
  • Opening Sit – Inquiry
  • The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path as the basis for recovery from addiction
• 6 – 7pm Dinner
• 7:30pm Evening Program: 8 Step Recovery Meetings
• Silence Overnight until after breakfast

Sunday, July 8th

• 7 – 8am Morning Yoga with Selena
• 8 – 9am Breakfast & Check-Out
• 9:30 – 11:30am Closing Program with Kevin & Valerie
• 11am Check-Out of Room
• 12 – 1pm Lunch and Departure

* Please note that schedule is subject to change at any time