2026 BRN Summit

Radical Kindness in the Face of Addiction

Thank you for being a Radically Kind part of our 2026 BRN Summit
Whether you attended in person, joined online, participated in both, or plan to watch the recordings later, thank you for being part of the BRN Summit!

Our shared time, knowledge, and resources made sangha possible. From those new to recovery to those with decades of experience, we all had something to offer.

Wherever you are and whatever recovery program(s) you follow, you belong here. BRN offers a soft place to land, learn, and rest —with experienced teachers and caring people walking alongside you.

October 2nd – 4th, 2026 at the East Bay Meditation Center’s new home 2406 Webster St Oakland, CA

Larry Yang in Conversation with Vimalasara 
Keynote – Activism on the Path – Engaging with Kindness — Mary Stancavage

The online access to BRN has made it possible for me to get through and keep hope knowing BRN exists and accessible to all.


“What the Buddha Taught about Recovery” Dharma Teacher Panel. Vimalasara , Kevin Griffin and Cynthia Kear.

 I was able to connect in-person to more people on the path, it was *really* wonderful. I was also able to receive teachings including from some of the people key to my buddhist recovery path


I am enjoying and learning so much from this summit.  Great speakers and topics. I like how there are separate workshop tracks for the online and the in-person attendees, and then we’re together for the larger presentations.  Thanks for all  your work on this!

Lounge
Workshops!!!!
The BRN team who put the conference on!

Thank you for all of the service that led to the summit! It was my first time, and I attended in part because it was at EBMC. I am inspired to go to a future summit even if I have to travel.

Panel –Recovery through a Diverse Lens – Carol Cano Thomas Tran , T , Sinclair, Dalila Bothwell

Recovery through a diverse lens was EXCELLENT, really deep sharing and perspectives.

Jed Brewer … was organized and had a point of view that was clearly understood and I found his research into habit change vital and accessible. He installed a lot Faith in A substance free solution to everyday plaguing problems

Keynote: Psychedelics in Recovery: A Cautionary Tale – Don Lattin

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

Well-known dharma and mindfulness practitioners with long-term recovery came together, including opening keynote: Vimalasara in conversation with  Larry Yang . Also speakers Mary Stancanvage, Dr. Jud Brewer & Don Lattin.  , Kevin Griffin , Gary Sanders and Cynthia Kear.

Panel Discussions:

What the Buddha Taught about Recovery- Dharma Teacher Panel

Recovery through a Diverse Lens

The Future of Buddhist Recovery

Workshops:

  • Self-Compassion: Dealing with Difficult Feelings with Kindness
  • Suttas in Recovery
  • Bodhichitta, Aspiration & Self-Compassion as Tools for Recovery
  • Creative Recovery Postcard Workshop
  • The Balla Cloiche: New Insights to Building and Maintaining Healthy Boundaries
  • Healing in Recovery: Kindness as the Antidote to Shame & Isolation
  • Rewiring Calm: Trauma Built Nervous Systems and Buddhist Recovery
  • Writing as Recovery Practice: Mindful Journaling, Inventory, and Reflection,
  • Neurodivergence in Recovery
  • Radically Loving Your Inner Critic
  • Loving the Unlovable: The Music of Recovery

Full Schedule:

Friday, October 2, 2026

  • 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Soft Opening
    • Registration check-in
    • Welcome and socializing
    • Author book tables
  • 4:00 PM – 4:50 – Online Welcome Event
  • 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Various Taster Recovery Meetings In Oakland
    • Online meetings
  • 6:00 PM – 6:15 PM – Bio Break & Transition to Main Hall
  • 6:15 PM – 6:30 PM – Opening Remarks — Speaker: Walt Opie
  • 6:30 PM – 6:45 PM – Refuges and Precepts Call and Response — Speaker: Vimalasara Mason-John
  • 6:45 PM – 7:00 PM – Guided Meditation — Speaker: Dalila Bothwell
  • 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM – Larry Yang in Conversation with Vimalasara 
  • 8:30 PM – 9:00 PM – Transference of Merit & Sitting Meditation — Speaker: Kevin Griffin

Saturday, October 3, 2026

  • 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM – Breakfast Taster Recovery Meetings
    • Online Meeting 1 meeting only SPEAKER MEETING ONLINE
  • 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Bio Break — Light refreshments available
  • 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM – Keynote – Activism on the Path – Engaging with Kindness — Mary Stancavage
  • 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Workshops
  • 12:15 PM – 1:00 Panel– “What the Buddha Taught about Recovery” Dharma Teacher Panel
  • 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Lunch with Vegan Mob
  • 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm  Jud Brewer – Mind Shift Recovery (Online/On Screen)
  • 2:45 – 3:00 PM – Afternoon Break
  • 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM – Workshops  
  • 4:15 PM – 4:20 PM – Transition
  • 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM – Panel –Recovery through a Diverse Lens – Carol Cano Thomas Tran , T , Sinclair, Dalila Bothwell
  • 5:30 PM – 6:15 – Keynote: Psychedelics in Recovery: A Cautionary Tale – Don Lattin

Evening Program in Oakland Only

  • 6:15 PM – 8 PM – Dinner Break (can bring back to hang out in space)
  • 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM – No Talent Show Hosts: George Johns
  • 9:00 PM – Late – Barefoot Boogie DJ Sinclair

Sunday, October 4, 2026

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM – Networking

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM – Speaker Meeting – Gary Sanders

10:45 AM – 11:35 AM – Keynote Interview Panel Kevin / Cynthia Kear /Vimalasara

BREAK 10 minutes

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM – The Future of Buddhist Recovery : Kevin/ Walt

BREAK 10 minutes 

1:30 PM –Departure

12:45 PM – 1:30 PM – Closing Ritual Ceremony
Q&A