Buddhist Recovery & the Dharma of Addiction
Led by Dave Smith
In recent years, Buddhist practices and mindfulness-based approaches to recovery have offered a powerful path forward. Worldwide, diverse communities are turning to these timeless traditions to find freedom from addiction. Yet, while real progress has been made, the deeper work has just begun.
Addictive patterns are learned and can, with time and practice, be unlearned. But real-world recovery isn’t just about stopping a substance or a behavior; it’s about building a life worth living. Recovery is the capacity to embrace life on life’s terms, whether pleasant or painful. It means making choices that foster a constructive, honest relationship with yourself and others. It is a gritty, disciplined process of unearthing our most vulnerable and authentic potential, one that has been buried under years of unskillful survival tactics.
Rooted in early Buddhist thought and inspired by modern cognitive science, this retreat highlights the essential role of metta (kind-friendliness/good will) in cultivating mindfulness within its original context. Through guided meditation, core Dharma teachings, interactive Q&A, and open discussion, we will explore practical tools with lasting value.
Whether you are in recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply working through the repetitive habit loops of daily life, this is a grounded, honest space to discover purpose and build a framework for skillful living in community with others.
Please click here for a brief overview and introduction from the Instructor and the Workshop Schedule.
Addictive patterns are learned and can, with time and practice, be unlearned. But real-world recovery isn’t just about stopping a substance or a behavior; it’s about building a life worth living. Recovery is the capacity to embrace life on life’s terms, whether pleasant or painful. It means making choices that foster a constructive, honest relationship with yourself and others. It is a gritty, disciplined process of unearthing our most vulnerable and authentic potential, one that has been buried under years of unskillful survival tactics.
Rooted in early Buddhist thought and inspired by modern cognitive science, this retreat highlights the essential role of metta (kind-friendliness/good will) in cultivating mindfulness within its original context. Through guided meditation, core Dharma teachings, interactive Q&A, and open discussion, we will explore practical tools with lasting value.
Whether you are in recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply working through the repetitive habit loops of daily life, this is a grounded, honest space to discover purpose and build a framework for skillful living in community with others.
Please click here for a brief overview and introduction from the Instructor and the Workshop Schedule.
Secular Dharma Foundation
This program was developed through the work of the Secular Dharma Foundation. The mission of the Secular Dharma Foundation (501c) is to foster the advancement of emotional and psychological well-being through the education and integration of mindfulness, psychology, nature-based programming, and various therapeutic modalities. We provide educational tools and resources, mindfulness and emotional skills training through online programs, podcasts, trainings, and retreats.
Program Details
Start Date:
End Date:
Categories:
Ghost Ranch Program
Healing And Wellness
Date & Time Details:
3:00 pm Check in
10:00 am Check out
10:00 am Check out
Location:
Ghost Ranch
Address:
280 Private Drive 1708, Abiquiu, NM, USA
Contact:
Programs
programs@ghostranch.org
505-685-1000
Email Us About Program
About the Leader
Dave Smith
Dave Smith is a Dharma teacher, international speaker, author, and founder of the Secular Dharma Foundation. Integrating three decades of Insight Meditation with early Buddhist teachings from the Pali Canon and contemporary psychology, he offers a pragmatic, secular framework for mindfulness, ethics, and self-awareness.
A former punk rock musician and recovering addict, Dave brings his anti-establishment roots to a 20-year career dedicated to resolving trauma and fostering deep engagement with life. Through mentoring and retreats, his work directly challenges the self-help industry’s “shame-based reality,” helping individuals navigate the unique struggles of the modern world with practical, grounded wisdom.
A former punk rock musician and recovering addict, Dave brings his anti-establishment roots to a 20-year career dedicated to resolving trauma and fostering deep engagement with life. Through mentoring and retreats, his work directly challenges the self-help industry’s “shame-based reality,” helping individuals navigate the unique struggles of the modern world with practical, grounded wisdom.