Grit City Dharma
Religion & Spirituality
About
Grit City Dharma is a meditation community in Tacoma, WA, founded in 2025 by Joe Conniff. Joe has been studying the dharma for 11 years, having come to mindfulness and meditation following his experiences of addiction, mental illness, homelessness and incarceration, and all the ups and downs that came with them. Joe became a certified mindfulness instructor in 2018, and has studied under several renown western dharma teachers. He has taught within the criminal legal system and treatment centers. Joe currently offers lay dharma teachings in the Seattle-Tacoma area. Aside from his interests in mindfulness and the dharma, Joe published his memoir, Causes and Conditions: A Life Experience in Addiction and Recovery, in 2020. (Available on Amazon). Joe’s second book is set to be released on June 9th, 2026, and includes 90 reflections and journal prompts related to addiction, compulsive behaviors and recovery, offering 11 meditations, all to support and engage the reader. These recordings are from our weekly sits, including the talks and meditations. Community comments and sharing are not included for privacy of those in attendance. For more info on Grit City Dharma sits and location, please follow us @gritcitydharma on Instagram, and Grit City Dharma on Facebook. If you’d like to support this work, our Venmo is: @gritcitydharma
Episodes
- Talk on the 5 Hindrances w/ Short Guided Meditation
This episode features a Wednesday evening talk on the 5 hindrances, concluding with a brief guided meditation.
- Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem: Buddha, Dharma & Sangha
This episode from Grit City Dharma discusses the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. It includes a talk and a guided meditation.
- Approaching Experience with a Beginner’s Mind
This episode of Grit City Dharma discusses Beginner's Mind, detailing how to cultivate this approach and apply it effectively.
- 7 Factors of Awakening Talk and Guided Meditation
A talk and guided meditation session focused on the seven factors of awakening.
- Parable of the Raft and Swimology
This episode of Grit City Dharma discusses the parable of the raft and shares a story from S.N. Goenka about swimology. It includes a guided meditation.
- The 5 Remembrances: A Wake Up Call
This episode of Grit City Dharma discusses the 5 remembrances, followed by a guided meditation.
- Wise Speech in Relation to the Past
This episode discusses "Wise Speech" in the context of past events, relating it to nostalgic conversations and the importance of being skillful with our words when discussing history.
- Navigating Grief through the Dharma
This episode features a talk and guided meditation on the themes of grief, impermanence, and acknowledgement.
- Papanca-Talk on the Proliferation of Thoughts and Guided
This episode features a talk from a Wednesday evening sit in Tacoma, discussing the proliferation of thoughts.
- Freedom From Resentment Through Forgiveness Talk & Guided
This episode features a talk titled 'Freedom From Resentment Through Forgiveness Talk & Guided.' The core message presented is that freedom from resentment is equivalent to freedom to.
- Anapana Meditation
This episode features a short Anapana, or Breath, Meditation.
- Coming Out of Ignorance-Vipassana Course Reflections
This episode discusses Vipassana practice, highlighting its connection to the 5 precepts and its relevance for laypeople. It offers reflections on the application of this practice in everyday life.
- Equanimity Talk and Guided Meditation 3/21/2026
This episode of Grit City Dharma features a talk on the concept of Equanimity, followed by a guided meditation practice. The episode date is March 21, 2026.
- The Art of Letting Go: How to cultivate Space for the Present-Talk and Guided 3/14/2026
This episode features a talk on the art of letting go, focusing on cultivating gratitude and creating space for the present.
- 4 Tasks and the 8fold Path Talk (Part 3 of 3) 3/7/2026
This episode discusses the 8fold Path, specifically covering the aspects of Effort, Mindfulness, and Concentration. It is the third and final part of a three-part series.
- 4 Tasks and the 8fold Path Talk and Guided (2 of 3) 2/28/26
This is part two of a three-part series on the 8fold path, focusing on the aspects of Speech, Action, and Livelihood.
- 4 Tasks and the 8fold Path Talk and Guided (1 of 3) 2/21/26
This Grit City Dharma episode discusses the 4 Tasks, also known as the Four Noble Truths, and the initial aspects of the 8fold Path.