Applying Buddhist-Inspired Practices and Principles to Recovery from Addiction to Drugs, Alcohol and Addictive Behaviors. Serving the Greater Central Indiana Area. Now Supporting SIX Weekly In-Person Meetings in the Greater Central Indiana area! Recovery is Possible!
What is Recovery Dharma Indiana?
Recovery Dharma Indiana is a part of the larger Recovery Dharma Global Network of 500+ peer-lead, Buddhist-inspired, recovery meetings. Based out of Indianapolis, Indiana we are a peer-lead local recovery community that believes in each individual’s capacity for change, and ability to heal from the suffering that addiction causes. Recovery Dharma meetings provide a safe and structured environment for individuals to learn more about Buddhist-inspired principles to recovery, and to explore and investigate if they are beneficial for their own process of recovery.
What is the recovery dharma program?
Recovery Dharma is a peer-led movement and community that is unified by our trust in the potential of each of us to recover and find freedom from the suffering of addiction. We believe that recovery means empowerment , and we support each other as partners walking the path of recovery together.
Our program uses the Buddhist practices of meditation, self-inquiry, wisdom, compassion, and community as tools for recovery and healing. We believe that recovery is about finding our own inner wisdom and our own path.
We believe that the traditional Buddhist teachings, often referred to as the ‘Dharma’ , offer a powerful approach to healing from addiction and living a life of true freedom. Our program is based on the idea that every one of us is our own guide in recovery from addiction, with the help and understanding of our wise friends and Sangha (community). We believe that’s what the Dharma teaches us. So it’s with great joy and excitement that we come together to build this recovery community and support structure, informed by the spirit of democracy.
We understand that ours is not the only path to recovery, and many of our participants choose to combine these practices with other recovery programs.
In-Person MEETINGS!
TUESDAY night BEGINNER'S "The ART OF HAPPINESS AND SOBRIETY" Meeting
WHEN: Every Tuesday @ 6:30pm!
DESCRIPTION: An ideal meeting for first time attendees to a Recovery Dharma meeting. This meeting tends to be rather well attended, and as the name implies is a rather jovial and festive group. If you’ve never attended a Recovery Dharma meeting before, this is the perfect group for you to start your journey!
WHERE: Near the heart of Fountain Square at The Church Within @ 1125 Spruce St, Indianapolis, IN 46203.
FORMAT: Short beginner’s guided meditation. Followed by a short book reading and group ‘topic’ discussion on applying Buddhist practices and principles to recovery from drugs and alcohol. This meeting is traditionally 75 to 90 minutes in length, with ‘Treats and Tea’ offered afterwards for those looking to meet others in recovery and discuss the Recovery Dharma program.
ADDITIONAL INFO: Please feel free to email the meeting Group Rep James F. at IndianaJamesF@gmail.com for location details.
WEDNESDAY night NORTHSIDE Meeting
WHEN: Every WEDNESDAY @ 6:30pm!
WHERE: ***NEW LOCATION*** NOW MEETING at the Suburban North Club @16065 Prosperity Dr. Noblesville, IN 46060
DESCRIPTION: A great meeting to those new to Recovery Dharma and wanting to read through the Recovery Dharma book as a group.
FORMAT: Short beginner’s guided meditation. Followed by a short book reading and group discussion based on the rotating weekly reading from the Recovery Dharma book. This meeting is traditionally 60 minutes in length.
ADDITIONAL INFO: Please feel free to email the meeting Group Rep at jwherrmann3@gmail.com for additional meeting and location details.
FRIDAY night BEGINNER'S 'DHARMA STUDY' MeetinG
WHEN: Every Friday @ 6:30pm!
WHERE: Near the heart of Fountain Square at The Church Within @ 1125 Spruce St, Indianapolis, IN 46203.
DESCRIPTION: A great meeting for those who are new to Recovery Dharma, and the ‘sister’ meeting to our Tuesday night ‘Beginner’s Meeting’. Topics that are discussed at our weekly Tuesday night beginner’s group are explored in greater depth and discussion on Friday nights. A wonderful group for those new to Recovery Dharma and seeking a better understanding of the program in a ‘Dharma Study’ format.
FORMAT: Short beginner’s guided meditation. Followed by a short book reading and group ‘topic’ discussion on applying Buddhist practices and principles to recovery from drugs and alcohol. This meeting is traditionally 75 to 90 minutes in length, with time allocated afterwards for those looking to meet others in recovery and discuss the Recovery Dharma program.
ADDITIONAL INFO: Please feel free to email the meeting Group Rep James F. at IndianaJamesF@gmail.com for location details.
Friday night "Kick It With SAngHa" Meeting
WHEN: Every Friday @ 6:30pm!
WHERE: Two blocks East of the Butler main campus, on 43rd Street at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis (UUI) @ 615 W 43rd St, Indianapolis, IN 46208 (In ‘The Cottage’!).
A fun and festive group for those new to Recovery Dharma! All are welcome to come ‘Kick it with Sangha’ every Friday night!! Hosted in “The Cottage”, this is the renovated residential house on the right-side of the UUI property. There is a sign above the main entry area that reads ‘The Cottage’. This meeting is 90 minutes in length, it is hosted in a warm and inviting living room space that is inviting to all. Great group for open discussion and community building!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please use the main parking lot entrance from the northern 43rd Street side of the building. Google Maps appears to be errantly sending some people to the back of the church to an back ally causing some confusion. Do not park in the back of church! That is a public ally, parking and blocking the ally is NOT allowed.
ADDITIONAL INFO: Please feel free to email the meeting Group Rep at RecoveryDharmaIndiana@gmail.com for additional location or meeting details.
Saturday Afternoon - InQueery Recovery Dharma Sangha - 
LGBTQIA+ (Please read description)
WHEN: Every Saturday @ 11:00am!
DESCRIPTION: This meeting is specifically designed for individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community who are on a journey of recovery from addiction. It focuses on the unique experiences and challenges faced by Queer and Trans individuals in relation to their sexual and gender identities during their recovery process.
HAVE QUESTIONS? – FAQ PDF DOWNLOAD
WHERE: In Fountain Square at Switchboard 801 @ 801 Shelby Street, Indianapolis, IN 46203. It is a three story brown brick building. Free street parking is available, and a free parking lot can be found on the corner of Shelby St and Hoyt Ave.
FORMAT: Short beginner’s guided meditation followed by a group discussion on the week’s topic. This meeting is typically 30 minutes in length. Following the meeting, there is an optional 30-minute inquiry circle for those who wish to dig deeper with a group of Wise Friends.
ADDITIONAL INFO: Please feel free to join our WhatsApp Community to learn more, or email our group rep at InQueerySangha@gmail.com.
MONDAY NIGHT "Recovery is Possible" Meeting
WHEN: ***NEW TIME**** Now every MONDAY @ 7:00pm!
WHERE: At the Carvel Club. 4627 Carvel Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46205. Hosted downstairs. Look for the smiling faces!
DESCRIPTION: An ‘Open Discussion’ and ‘Book Study’ group welcoming to all!! A random portion of the Recovery Dharma book is selected each week, followed by a round robin discussion on the topic. Wonderful group for those looking to explore more of the Recovery Dharma book in a group setting. Start your week off right, and always remember “Recovery Is Possible”!!
ADDITIONAL INFO: Please feel free to email the meeting Group Rep at RecoveryDharmaIndiana@gmail.com for additional details.
RECOVERY DHARMA INDIANA - NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP FORM
Sign-up to stay up to date with all the current happenings for Recovery Dharma Indiana! New meeting updates, guided meditations, private workshop notifications and more!