In-Person Sesshin

Oct 23, 6 pm – Oct 26, 12 pm EDT
Location: Connecticut, USA

Sesshin means “gathering the mind,” and the term refers to the silent meditation retreats that form the backbone of meditation practice in Zen. These meditation intensives are meant to create a container in which we can devote ourselves wholeheartedly to zazen in order to help us deepen our understanding of and relationship to ourselves, one another, and the world.

This silent retreat is one of the few in-person formal gatherings at OMS. Our in-person sesshin takes place biannually and includes 6-8 hours of zazen a day, chanting services, daisan (private interview with Zuisei), fusatsu or renewal of vows ceremony, and the dharma encounter that closes Ango. During our fall sesshin we also hold a jukai or precepts ceremony, where a number of students will receive Buddhism’s moral and ethical teachings. You can download the sesshin schedule here.

The total cost is $375, including room and board. Each year we have one or two scholarships available to cover the cost of the retreat for someone who might not otherwise be able to attend. Please ask Zuisei about this option.

This sesshin takes place during Fall Ango. To register as a formal Ango participant, please take a look here.

Please note: Sesshin is a silent, intensive meditation retreat. If you’re interested in joining us for sesshin and it's your first time doing a meditation intensive or practicing with OMS, please contact Zuisei to set up a call so she can go over the sesshin requirements with you.

Apply Here

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If you are interested in attending sesshin, you may enjoy listening to Guiding Teacher Zuisei Goddard’s dharma talk Noble Silence: Zazen—Buddhist teachings on zazen (silent meditation) and a gentle reminder to return to your cushion. Visit here for audio, video and transcript.

Arrival & Departure

Arrival and registration is from 4:00–5:30 PM on Friday evening. There is a meal service and a light supper at 6 PM, followed by an introduction to the weekend at 7:30 PM. Departure takes place between 11 AM–1 PM on Sunday.

Address and Directions

Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center
223 Low Road
Sharon, CT 06069

Train
Wassaic is the nearest Metro-North train station (Harlem line). It’s ~25 minutes away from the retreat center by car. Please check the MTA’s Metro North schedule. If you are traveling from New York City, the train departs from Grand Central or Harlem-125th St.

Car Pooling
Let us know when registering if you’d like a ride from the Wassaic station to the retreat center. OMS doesn’t provide or arrange transportation, but we’re happy to connect you with individual sangha members so that you might coordinate arrival and/or departure transportation together.

Accommodation and Meals

Retreat participants stay in shared rooms segregated by gender. There are three hallway access single bathrooms, one multi-stall bathroom, and one ADA bathroom. The building is ADA accessible. There are no private rooms and bedding is not provided.

Meals are vegetarian with vegan, gluten-free, and non-dairy preferences. There will also be some light snacks. We ask that you accommodate yourself to the meals served and not bring food for personal consumption. If you have allergies or special dietary needs, please include this information when registering. The same applies for medical conditions that require special attention during the weekend.

What to Bring

Loose-fitting clothing for meditation (no shorts or sleeveless shirts)
Your zafu or seiza bench (we’ll provide chairs and zabutons)
Bedding (sheets and a blanket or sleeping bag and pillow)
Toiletries
Towel
Flashlight
Bug repellent (recommended)
We recommend that you check yourself daily for ticks during your stay, especially if you have been outside in the wooded and grassy areas. You may like to bring your own tick remover.

Phone & Internet

Please turn your cell phones and other electronic devices off for the duration of the retreat so that you can focus on your practice. If someone needs to reach you, have them call Zuisei at the number listed in the confirmation email.

Sesshin Agreement

We ask that all participants who’ve been accepted to attend sesshin sign and return our sesshin agreement.

Sesshin Schedule (EDT)

THURSDAY
4 PM – 6 PM Arrival and set-up
6 PM – 7 PM Dinner
7 PM – 9 PM Training and intro to sesshin (Silence observed)

FRIDAY (Silence observed)
6 AM – 8:20 AM Zazen & Morning Chanting Service
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM Oryoki Breakfast
9:30 am – 11 AM Caretaking & Optional Body Practice
11 AM – 1 PM Zazen & Afternoon Chanting Service
1 PM – 3 PM Oryoki lunch & rest practice
3 PM – 5 PM Zazen & Daisan
5:15 PM – 6 PM Fusatsu: Renewal of Vows Ceremony|
6 PM – 7 PM Dinner and break
7:30 PM – 9 PM Zazen & Daisan

SATURDAY (Silence observed)
6 AM – 8:20 AM Zazen & Morning Chanting Service
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM Oryoki Breakfast
9:30 am – 11 AM Caretaking & Optional Body Practice
11 AM – 1 PM Zazen & Afternoon Chanting Service
1 PM – 3 PM Oryoki lunch & rest practice
3 PM – 5 PM Zazen & Daisan
5 PM – 5:30 PM Break
5:30 PM – 7 PM Jukai Ceremony
7 PM – 9 PM Dinner & social time (silence lifted)

SUNDAY (Silence observed)
6:30 AM – 7 AM Zazen
7 AM – 7:30 AM Break
7:30 AM – 9 AM Shuso Hossen Ceremony (silence is lifted)
9:30 AM – 11 AM Breakfast and clean-up
11 AM – 12 PM Departure