October 2026 Sesshin
In Person with Zuisei Goddard

Sesshin means “gathering the mind.” It 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 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 oryoki. Scroll below for schedule and details. During our fall sesshin we also hold a jukai or precepts ceremony, where a number of students receive Buddhism’s moral and ethical teachings.

The total cost for the sesshin includes room and board. We strive to keep our costs low, and all the fees for classes and retreats go entirely to covering OMS’s expenses (aside from freely-offered dana, Zuisei receives no compensation for any of our group teachings, including sesshin). We do have a limited number of partial scholarships for this retreat, and applicants from historically marginalized or underrepresented communities are especially encouraged to apply. Please ask Zuisei about this option.

Please note: Sesshin is a silent, intensive meditation retreat. If you’re interested in joining us for sesshin and it's your first time attending 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.

Listen

Listen 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 4:00–6:00 PM on Thursday 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

Beecher House
214 Beecher Lake Road
Livingston Manor, NY 12758

Train
TBD

Car Pooling
TBD

Accommodation and Meals

TBD

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

Liturgy

Listen to all the chants here.

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*Banner photo by AwayandAbroad