The Heart of Recovery is a meditation and discussion group for all practicing recovery from substance, process and behavioral addictions, or trying to do so, whether through 12 steps or other recovery paths.
The group centres around sharing support while bringing together contemplative practice and a commitment to sobriety. Newcomers will learn basic meditation techniques to enhance, not replace, their own recovery program in a familiar and comfortable environment. Experienced meditators will discover new ways to deepen their current practice while supporting the group.
Meeting format includes:
- Sitting meditation practice
- A topic offering in the form of brief comments or a reading by the night’s facilitator
- Discussion and exploration by group members
- Sharing our personal experience, strength, and hope
- Dedication of merit
Open to all who are:
- Buddhist practitioners from any tradition
- 12 Step practitioners from any program
- Individuals interested in exploring the relationship of meditation to recovery from addiction and addictive behaviors
By donation: all proceeds go to support venue hire and towards a quarterly rotating charity to support human, animal and environmental rights.
Heart of Recovery Meeting Information
The Heart of Recovery is a (no fee) meditation and sharing group with the purpose of bringing together the practice of meditation and Spiritual teachings and recovery from substance and process addiction and codependency. We focus on sharing our meditation practice, our experience and our individual and collective paths of recovery from addiction.
The meeting is open to all, including:
- Anyone interested in exploring the relationship of meditation to the recovery from addictive behaviours
- 12 Step practitioners from any program
- Meditation practitioners
We welcome all individuals who are committed to working with their addictive and compulsive behaviours. This group is open to anyone who is interested in exploring how the path of meditation and the path of recovery intersect.
Free meditation instruction is available at Heart of Recovery meetings.
No meditation experience is necessary, and brief meditation instruction is given at the start of each meeting. Newcomers will learn basic meditation techniques to enhance, not replace, their own recovery program. Experienced meditators will discover new ways to deepen their current practice while supporting the group.
Meeting format includes:
- Sitting meditation instruction and practice
- A topic offering in the form of a brief share or reading by the facilitator
- Discussion and exploration by group members
- Sharing our personal experience, strength, and hope
While many meeting discussions will reference the 12 Steps, it is not a 12 Step group meeting. The Heart of Recovery meeting is intended to support individuals in recovery whether or not they are currently in a 12 step program of recovery. Heart of Recovery is not intended, however, to replace 12 Step groups, inpatient or outpatient rehab programs, or any other model of recovery.