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Buddhist Recovery Network - 2017 Summit - Program

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Summit Program

FRIDAY OCTOBER 20
5:30	Conference opens with opening Blessing by Vince Cullen (59 min)
6:00	Dinner and food blessing
7:00	Introductions by George Drafan and George Johns (G2) Opening and chant by Vimilasara
8:00	“Open source” exercise: Discussion topics identified by participants on the opening evening: What do sponsorship and mentorship look like in Buddhist Recovery? How does Buddhist Recovery intersect with 12 Step? Responding to mental illness and spiritual emergencies in recovery programs Comparing the main characteristics of different Buddhist Recovery models The importance of boundaries in recovery: What is the difference between a bodhisattva and a codependent person? How Buddhist Recovery relates to engaged Buddhism and social justice Ways we can continue to communicate and work together after the Summit How recovery is affected by trauma and stress Diversity in sangha: people of color, LGBTQ, Christian How Buddhist Recovery groups relate to other Buddhist communities? Whether mindfulness-based recovery is Buddhist, or something entirely secular
SATURDAY OCTOBER 21
7:00	Silent Meditation
8:00	RECOVERY MEETINGS Sit and Share - led by Judith Noble Steps - led by George John 8 Steps - led by Karen Foley Refuge Recovery
9:00	BREAKFAST
10:00	PANEL The Intersection of 12-Step and Buddhist Recovery. (1hr 4min) Chaired by Kevin Griffin. Panelists: Dori Langevin, Gary Sanders, Barbara West, Kristi Bates
11:15	Small Group Discussions Facilitated by George D, George J, Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John, Debra. Each breakout group takes notes so that we can hang them on the wall in the plenary session. How does Buddhist Recovery intersect with the Twelve-Step model? What are pros and cons of facilitated and peer-led recovery groups? What does sponsorship or mentorship look like in the movement? What do we have to learn from the 12-step tradition?
12:15	Small Group Feedback (20 minutes) Facilitated by Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John and George Draffan
1:00	LUNCH
2:30	PANEL What Are The Defining Characteristics of Buddhist Recovery? (1hr 30min) Chaired by Judith Gordon. Panelists Kevin Griffin, Vince Cullen, Noah Levine, Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John Individual Panelists Kevin Griffin (9:27 minutes) Vimilasara Mason-Joh (9:27 minutes) Vince Cullen (12:39 minutes)
6:30	SUPPER
8pm	Talent show!
SUNDAY OCTOBER 22
7:00	Silent Meditation
8:00	RECOVERY MEETINGS Sit and Share - led by Vince Noble Steps - led by George John 8 Steps - led by Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John Refuge Recovery Mindful recovery - led by Calico
9:00	BREAKFAST
10:00	BRN meeting (40 minutes) Chaired by Paul Saintilan, co-founder and first President of the Buddhist Recovery Network (BRN) Meeting about the future of BRN and it’s plans for 2018, a call for regionalization and forming of committees.
12:00	CLOSING Feedback from participants More silence and sitting meditation Schedule and provide a space for movement (yoga, qigong) Less top-down design of the topics; make advance call for presentations More panels Shorter panels More materials More breaks More diversity Longer conference Shorter, just one day Have a bigger conference Schedule it farther in advance Alternate annually between conference and retreat