Vanessa Wang

Recovery Dharma Global

Secretary

SESSION DETAILS

PATHWAY:

RECOVERY DHARMA

SESSION TITLE:

Recovery Dharma: A Program of Empowerment

SESSION DESCRIPTION:

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 the traditional Buddhist teachings, often referred to as the Dharma, offer a powerful approach to healing from addiction of all kinds and living a life of true freedom. We believe that recovery means empowerment, and we support each other as partners walking the path together. The foundation of our program is the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

This is not a program based in dogma or religion, but in finding the truth for ourselves. This wisdom has worked for us, but it is not the only path. Recovery Dharma is compatible with other spiritual paths and programs of recovery. We know from our own experience that true recovery is only possible with the intention of radical honesty, understanding, awareness, and integrity, and we trust you to discover your own path. This is a program that asks us to never stop growing and is based on mindfulness, kindness, generosity, forgiveness, and deep compassion. The courage it takes to recover from addiction is ultimately courage of the heart, and we aim to support each other as we commit to this brave work.

BIOGRAPHY:

Vanessa Wang is the secretary of Recovery Dharma Global and vice president of Buddhist Recovery Network. She is also currently a Clinical Psychology PhD student at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Her research focus is on the intersectionality of Buddhist psychology and Western psychology. She brings her passion of advocating for diversity, inclusivity, equity, accessibility, and social justice into both her clinical work, research, and community engagement. Among these, decolonizing Western Dharma is an issue that is close to her heart. Vanessa earned a master’s in Religious Studies with a focus on Buddhism at University of the West in Los Angeles. She gained passion in learning about Buddhism and its liberating effects of mental struggles when she was studying at a forest monastery in Taipei, Taiwan about 10 years ago. Vanessa is also in recovery from substances, addictive behaviors, depression, and trauma. Vanessa is also passionate about spoken word, poetry, plants, and boba.