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Recovery Dharma

The Buddha knew that all human being struggle with craving – the powerful, sometimes blinding desire to change our thoughts, feelings, or circumstances. Those of us who experience addiction of any sort have been driven to use substances and/or harmful behaviors in a habitual pattern either to change our mindset or circumstances or to allow ourselves avenues for avoidance. Though the Buddha did not talk specifically about addiction, he understood the obsessive nature of the human mind and our attachment to pleasure and aversion to pain. He understood the extreme measures we are willing to take, chasing what we want to feel and running away from feelings we fear. And he found a solution.

This program offers a way to free ourselves from the suffering of addiction using Buddhist practices and principles. This program can help lead to recovery from addiction to substances like alcohol and drugs and from process addictions like sex, gambling, pornography, technology, work, co-dependence, shopping, eating, media, self-harm, lying, stealing, and obsessive worrying. This is a path to freedom from any repetitive and habitual behavior that causes suffering. 

Our Recovery Dharma practice is hosted by Hollow Bones Zen as an initiative by members of two affiliated sanghas: Kintsugi Sangha in Hartland and Zen River Sangha in Appleton, both in Wisconsin, US. We will meet on Thursday evenings 6:30-7:30 p.m. (CT) beginning on July 10, 2025. Immediately following the meeting, you are invited to remain online and join the Sangha in brief readings and a 20-minute seated meditation. 

For those seeking to deepen practice, please contact us through one of our websites: hollowboneszen.org, zenriver.org, or kintsugisangha.org. You are welcome to join us in awakening our hearts and minds. Once established, we intend to offer this practice more widely by listing it through the Recovery Dharma website.

The Recovery Dharma program is peer-led; it does not rely on any one teacher or leader. The meeting facilitators are not Buddhist teachers nor have any particular authority in a meeting. They are members of our Zen community who have volunteered to lead meetings and discussions. 

(Adapted from Recovery Dharma licensed under ShareAlike 4.0 License: https://recoverydharma.org/)

For more information, please contact Rose at rose@hollowboneszen.org

Additional Resources 

• Alcoholics Anonymous – AA.org
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association – SAMHSA.gov

If you are in crisis and need further help:

• Call or Text or Chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988. Hours are available 24/7 and the cost is free.
• OR Text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained Crisis Counselor through Crisis Text Line, a global not-for-profit organization. Free, 24/7, confidential.

Our Facilitators

Rose Presser is newer to recovery practice and participation in the Kintsugi Sangha. Rose has found deep healing in the practice of seated meditation and comfort in the support of the sangha. She has many years of work experience in healthcare, both in medical and mental health as a nurse practitioner. She began her spiritual quest in the 1970’s when she entered the convent in St. Louis, MO and worked with women and girls leaving prostitution. She ultimately left, married and has 2 sons and 4 grandsons. Along the way she practiced Siddha Yoga in the Hindu tradition and developed a practice of meditation and chanting. She is active in the Lake Country Unitarian Universalist Church in Hartland and their Social Action Committee, as well as volunteering at City on a Hill, a free medical clinic in Milwaukee. She enjoys the outdoors, walking, biking and contra dancing.

Beth Murphy struggled with addiction for over 20 years. Three years ago, she decided to say “yes” to suggestions and “no” to addiction. She has developed a peace within that no one and nothing can take. She recently became certified as a recovery coach and currently is taking dog training certification. She enjoys laughter, music, art, animals, and physical fitness.

Russell Price is a Christian, Zen Buddhist, and yogi. He has been in and out of recovery close to 30 years. He has really been working on himself for the past five years. He has worked the twelve steps and is now in Recovery Dharma.