Sangha Care Program
In the spirit of mutual support and kalyana mitta (spiritual friendship), volunteers with the Dharma Center are offering extra hands for members of the sangha who could use a little help here and there. Volunteers are happy to support fellow practitioners who are housebound (or limited in any way) by running assorted errands, such as grocery shopping, dog walking, and picking up supplies or necessities.
As the pandemic eases, we also hope to offer meal preparation, light household chores, and transportation to and from the Dharma Center for programs and retreats. Our intention is to support our sangha members who could use some assistance from a friend from time to time.
If you would like to request assistance, please click here.
For those who are willing to volunteer in this way, please click here.
Compassionate Listeners Program
For those who are going through a challenging time and would benefit from peer support, we offer a compassionate listener program. This group of listeners includes Vic Lopez, Lynne Sholler, Judy Gerhardt, Susan McGinness, Alena George, Ross Park, Ellen Park, Myah Lee and Ginger St. Ours. If you feel it would be supportive simply to chat with a compassionate peer listener during a time of difficulty, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Stephanie Herbst ( or 970-426-8983), our operations manager, who can connect you directly. It’s important to note that this is not therapy or a professional service but rather a mutual exchange of open-hearted presence during a challenging time. May we all weather the storms of this human life together.
“Don’t go searching for the Dhamma outside, for it lies within. Peace lies within, but we have to contemplate so that we’re aware all around—subtly, deep down.”
-Upasika Nanayon
BEYOND THE DHARMA CENTER
The Dharma Center is part of an informal community of Buddhist centers across the country. There are numerous resources for practitioners wishing to deepen their understanding, from retreat centers to books and audio resources. Here we share just a few resources to support your practice beyond the center:
Mindfulness and Recovery Group Resources
For those who wish to explore other recovery resources, here are a number of options:
The Alcoholics Anonymous Central Office of Colorado’s website lists all of the AA meetings in the region, including in-person offerings.
John Bruna’s Mindful Life Program lists Mindfulness in Recovery meetings that take place online.
Al-Anon also lists meetings by location on its website.
Young People in Recovery also has a robust Durango chapter. Learn more about their offerings by checking out their Facebook page.
You may also be interested in Alcoholics Anonymous podcasts, which you can access by clicking here.
Residential Retreat Centers
Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California
Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts
Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center in Northern New Mexico
Vipassana Metta Foundation, Maui, Hawaii
Glossary of Pali Terms
Pali was the language in which the Buddha taught. From time to time, we use Pali words in dharma talks and on our website. Click here for a glossary of Pali terms.
Podcasts and Other Resources
Please visit DharmaSeed.org for access to hundreds of dharma talks.
The teacher Jack Kornfield offers a podcast, Heart Wisdom.
The teacher Tara Brach offers a podcast.
The teacher Sharon Salzberg offers podcasts, videos and blog posts.
Ajahn Sucitto, a senior monk and teacher, offers audio resources and articles on his website.
Lion’s Roar is a website and magazine that publishes articles on Buddhist topics.
An Update on the Dharma Center’s Response to the Pandemic
Many of us are longing to connect during these trying times. For the foreseeable future, the Dharma Center feels it is safest and most in alignment with sila (moral conduct) to continue to meet over the Zoom platform. We wish to protect the health of everyone, including our most health-challenged members, and to ensure the […]
Recovery and Mindfulness Group to Meet Sundays Only
Recovery and Mindfulness Group Meeting Sundays Only Starting October 4 The Recovery and Mindfulness Group, formerly known as the Mindfulness 12 Step Group, is currently meeting on Sunday afternoons from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Starting the week of October 4, we will no longer be meeting on Wednesdays for the short-term future. There will be […]
In Need of Support?
Many of us are unsettled by these challenging times of pandemic and social isolation. It’s very natural and common to feel a range of unpredictable emotions, including sadness, anxiety, anger and confusion, and it can be deeply supportive simply to connect with a like-minded human. In the spirit of mutual support and spiritual friendship, a […]
Support and Online Offerings During Time of Coronavirus
Dear Sangha, Like many of you, we at the Durango Dharma Center are receiving the news of coronavirus with deep concern. This is a time of great uncertainty and it’s natural to feel anxiety, worry, sadness and other challenging emotions as many beings are affected by both the illness and the ramifications of its spread. […]
Meet Stephanie Herbst, Our New Operations Manager!
This September, the Durango Dharma Center welcomed our very first operations manager, Stephanie Herbst! Stephanie is a longtime member of our sangha and a retired schoolteacher. She has also volunteered with many local organizations, including Stillwater Music Foundation, Four Corners Orff Schulwerk Association, the Durango Film Festival, Citizen’s Climate Lobby, and the Community Concert Hall. […]
An Alphabet Group is Forming!
Wednesday, October 2, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. On Wednesday, October 2, from 7 to 8 p.m., the Dharma Center will host the first meeting of its newly formed Alphabet kalyana mitta (spiritual friends) group. Co-facilitators Elisabeth Peterson, Robert Bridges, and Molly Gierasch, along with mentor Katherine Barr, have come together with the desire and intent to support […]