Saturday, December 12, 2026

11:00 am - 5:00 pm ET

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You might say that letting go is a big part of Right Effort, and it’s only one aspect of it. Right Effort, of the Noble Eightfold Path, actually involves four main endeavors; namely, to prevent unwholesome states from arising, to let go of unwholesome states once they have arisen, to cultivate wholesome states, and to maintain those wholesome states once arisen. 

In recovery, we can see how skillful this approach is. We know that unwholesome states such as reactivity and resentment can lead back to unskillful habits like self-loathing, isolation, acting out or even relapse into our old harmful addictions. Just as importantly, cultivating states like generosity, patience, and kindness can move us towards more connection, and possibly contentment, belonging, and even joy. 

Join Walt Opie and Dalila Bothwell for a mini retreat exploring recovery through the lens of dharma practice. Through meditation, reflection, and community, we'll investigate how mindfulness and compassion can support healing and steady presence on the path of recovery. 

All are welcome, whether new to recovery communities or long on this path.

Choose your enrollment fee

Meet Your Teachers

Walt Opie

Walt Opie (he/him) is a dharma teacher in the insight meditation tradition who has been in recovery for over three decades. He was first introduced to insight meditation in 1993 and began sitting regular residential retreats in 2005. Currently, his most influential teachers include Sayadaw U Tejaniya, Bhikkhu Analayo, Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, Guy Armstrong, and Gil Fronsdal. Walt is a graduate of the recent IMS Teacher Training Program, as well as Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leaders program. He has led sitting groups for people in recovery and served as a volunteer teacher in several California prisons for many years. He teaches around the U.S. at centers including Sacramento Insight Meditation, Cambridge Insight Meditation Center, New York Insight Meditation Center, Spirit Rock, and Insight Meditation Society. His website is www.waltopie.com.

Dalila Bothwell

Dalila Bothwell’s (she/her) Dharma-meditation practice lives at the intersection of love for community, land, justice, and 12-step recovery. The granddaughter of Claudia and Gussie Pearl, she finds refuge and hope in the liberation teachings of revolutionary lovers - from the Buddha to bell hooks.  During her nearly decade-long tenure as a director for New York Insight Meditation Center, she learned the priceless value of sangha and the role relationships play in embodying the teachings and in creating kinder human beings. Dalila is a graduate of the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leaders Program and currently mentors with Ten Percent Happier and the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program. She has served with the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Insight Meditation Society, and Dharma communities throughout the US.

More Information

  • Equity Pricing Model

    As one part of our ongoing effort to expand access to the teachings of the Buddha, all IMS Online programs feature equity-based registration fees, including the opportunity to self-select a low-cost scholarship rate. No-fee enrollment is available for those who request a fee-waiver at [email protected], no questions asked. Our system supports the cultivation of a dynamic and inclusive community and is made possible by our generous donors and those who choose to support other students by contributing at the “Benefactor” level.

  • Registration Deadline

    Registration for this program closes on December 12, 2026 at 10:00 am ET.

  • Program Recordings

    This program will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing after the live sessions. On-demand videos will be available to registered participants only for 90 days. Note: Some portions of this program may not be recorded at the teacher’s discretion for reasons of student confidentiality and to create a safe container.

  • Refunds

    IMS Online offers full refunds through the last day of a live program. Refunds for this program can be processed until December 12, 2026. Refunds can only be applied to the card that was used for the purchase. Please reach out to [email protected] with any refund requests. 

  • Additional Questions

    If you have additional questions please contact us at [email protected].