In-person
Sesshin
Oct 22–Oct 26
In-person Zazen Intensive
October Sesshin 2026
with Guiding Teacher Zuisei Goddard
What
Sesshin | Silent Meditation Retreat
Led by Zuisei Goddard
When
Thursday, October 22, 6 PM–
Sunday, October 25, 12 PM EDT, 2026
Where
Livingston Manor, NY (USA)
Cost
Sustaining $425 | Benefactor $650
Room and board included
Sesshin means “gathering the mind” and refers to the long silent meditation retreats that form the backbone of meditation practice in Zen Buddhism. Sesshin is meant to create a container in which together we can devote ourselves wholeheartedly to zazen in order to deepen our understanding of and relationship to ourselves, one another, and the world.
Ocean Mind Sangha offers these in-person meditation intensives twice a year, led by Guiding Teacher Zuisei Goddard.
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The daily sesshin schedule includes 6-8 hours of zazen a day, chanting services, daisan (private interview with Zuisei) and oryoki (meal ceremony). During our fall sesshin we also hold a Fusatsu (Renewal of Vows ceremony), jukai or Precepts ceremony, where a number of students receive Buddhism’s moral and ethical teachings, and the Shuso Hossen ceremony. You can view the full schedule here.
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These intensive retreats are meant for those who seek a supportive, quiet space to practice zazen wholeheartedly with sangha and Guiding Teacher Zuisei. Different from our regular online practice events, sesshin takes place away from home and therefore away from daily routines and obligations, emails and cellphones. Everyone who attends sesshin actively helps to create its quiet and supportive space by embodying silence for one another. Sesshin is meant for those who are have some experience with meditation and are eager to devote time to it within the container of sesshin.
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The cost for the sesshin includes room and board for the four days. Participants are responsible for traveling to and from sesshin.
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.
Cancellation Policy
Until September 30: $325 refund
After September 30: Fee is nonrefundable
Arrival & Departure
Arrival and registration is from 3:00–6:00 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 & Travel
Beecher House
214 Beecher Lake Road
Livingston Manor, NY 12758
Car Pooling
Let us know when registering if you’d like to inquire about a ride from NYC or possibly the Poughkeepsie, NY Station (Metro-North Railroad & Amtrak). 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
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.
Retreat participants stay in shared rooms separated by gender, some with adjoining bathrooms. There are no private rooms. The retreat is ADA accessible, including one ADA compliant bathroom.
What to Bring
Loose-fitting clothing for meditation (no shorts or sleeveless shirts)
Your zafu or seiza bench (we’ll have zafus available and will provide chairs and zabutons)
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 (pdf).
Sesshin Schedule (EDT)
THURSDAY
3–6 PM Arrival and set-up
6–7 PM Dinner
7–9 PM Service Position Training, Intro, Zazen (Silence observed)
FRIDAY (Silence observed)
6–8:20 AM Zazen, daisan, chanting service
8:30–10:30 AM Oryoki breakfast, clean-up, meal prep
10:30–11 AM Optional Body Practice
11 AM–1 PM Zazen, daisan, chanting service
1–3 PM Oryoki lunch, clean-up, rest practice
3–5 PM Zazen & Fusatsu (Renewal of Vows Ceremony)
5–7 PM Dinner prep, dinner, clean-up, break
7–9 PM Zazen, daisan
SATURDAY (Silence observed)
6–8:20 AM Zazen, chanting service
8:30–10:30 AM Oryoki breakfast, clean-up, meal prep
10:30–11 AM Optional Body Practice
11 AM–1 PM Zazen, daisan, chanting service
1–3 PM Oryoki lunch, clean-up, rest practice
3–5 PM Zazen, daisan
5–7 PM Ceremony prep, Jukai Ceremony
7–9 PM Dinner, clean-up, social time (Silence lifted)
SUNDAY (Silence observed)
6–7:30 AM Zazen
7:30–9:30 AM Ceremony prep, Shusho Hossen Ceremony, photo (Silence lifted)
9:30 AM–12 PM Breakfast, clean-up, departure
Liturgy
Listen to all the chants here.
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.
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*Banner photo by AwayandAbroad
